[Hanako] Chapter 8: Munitions

Throndir · January 12, 2019, 03:21:05 PM

《Chapter 8: Munitions》

Location: Herr Klein's Estate - Hanako's Room
Date: Day 8 - 6 AM

You woke to the sounds of someone knocking roughly on the door. It was one of your soldiers. Trudy and Minette beside you stirred awake as well.

"Frau Hero! Someone's headed to our estate! A wagon, two armed guards at the front, and two at the rear."

Your two companions beside you, being trained soldiers, had already jumped out of bed, each of them quickly donning their uniforms, and beginning to strap on their weapons.

Asta · January 12, 2019, 10:01:02 PM

Hanako rolled out of bed as quickly as she was able and threw on some clothes. "Were we expecting anyone...?" she said, grabbing the sword she had taken to carrying around since learning how to use it. "I guess let's go down and see who it is."

Hanako left her room and moved to the foyer, hoping that whomever was here wasn't going to cause trouble. I suppose whatever it is we'll handle it.

Throndir · January 12, 2019, 10:13:52 PM

"We... aren't expecting anyone..." With that the three of you left your room.

Heading out to the entrance of the mansion, you see from the window the wagon that was described. They stopped at the entrance of the estate, and it was then that the lead rider mounted off her horse, and proceeded to hand a letter to one of your soldiers who was stationed at the front.

Some words were exchanged, and eventually your soldier hurried back towards the estate's front door, and opening it, and seeing you, he handed you the letter.

"They are from Frau Sofia. Apparently they bring some small gifts with her."

Opening the letter it read:

To Herr Klein,

It is a pleasure to have met you and your representatives the days before. In regards to that, I, Sofia Leiningen, send this letter of introduction.

Due to the business deals we had the day prior, I have decided to gift upon you and your estate a small token of thanks. Likewise, the new housekeepers you have requested, the four who are delivering this, will be the first among a few others who would ensure your estate is in good condition while you take care of your own personal matters.

Within the next few days, I will be personally hand-selecting those who would be a good fit to run the estate and help with your business dealings. Likewise, I am in the process of finding a suitable candidate as we discussed earlier.

-Sofia Leiningen

The soldier continued.

"Shall I let them in?"

Asta · January 12, 2019, 10:28:32 PM

"Oh, that was a fast turn around. Yes let them in please." Hanako said, a little surprised. She wasn't expecting Sofia to send people over so soon.

She turned to Trudy once the soldier had departed and whispered "Let's keep the things we learned yesterday between the two of us for now. The less people know, the better."

If Sofia's people were coming in so soon, it may be slightly problematic. They would likely report things back to her in some fashion or another, and along with that their presence may be unnerving for the others at the estate.

Throndir · January 12, 2019, 10:33:08 PM

The four were all soldiers, and like the previous time Sofia's slaves were on your grounds, their collars were different than the ones Klein had used. There was one of them who lead the group, signaling to the others behind her when to move the wagon. Judging from her outfit, this one was a soldier. She wore a uniform like the rest, though, hers seemed to be more decorated. You also noticed that she openly carried one of the firearms Sofia had been developing.

Once she was near, she dismounted, along with the rest. She then saluted as she spoke out in a loud voice.

"We are to assist Herr Klein!"

Trudy widened her eyes.

"Captain Dietrich?!" Trudy exclaimed beside you.

A hint of recognition appeared in the new soldier's eyes.

"Trudy? That is you..." The captain wanted to speak further, but she instead focused on you.

"We would like to show Herr Klein the contents in the wagon. If his soldiers can help us, that would be much appreciated."

Asta · January 12, 2019, 10:41:14 PM

"Hm, oh right. Yeah let's take a look and get it inside." Hanako said, wondering if Sofia's underlings knew that Klein was very much dead.

She leaned closer to Trudy before walking over to the wagon "You know this one?"

As Hanako came closer she extended a hand toward the woman Trudy had called Captain Dietrich. "Hey, how's it going?"

Throndir · January 12, 2019, 10:53:20 PM

"She was our company's captain. I thought she had died when the demons attacked us, but she must have been captured and enslaved like the rest of us. Captain Elyse Dietrich is her name." Trudy whispered back.

The captain must have heard Trudy's attempt at whispering, as she spoke up.

"I'm no longer a captain. Frau Leiningen knows this, as should Herr Klein. We are equals." She took your proffered hand.

"Now... Is the master there? We are to introduce ourselves... Though, it's a pleasure to meet fellow soldiers." She looked over to your curiously, perhaps wondering if you were Isikawan. Her eyes widened as she looked over to both of your necks.

"I had heard Herr Klein has a... inclincation to use the 'best' slavery tools... Does he not use collars?" Elyse asked off-handedly.

At the same time of the conversation, the other armed slaves along with a couple of your soldiers went over to the wagon, uncovering a couple of boxes. Some of them looked rather large. And they began to move them.

"The wagon and horses are part of gift to Herr Klein as well, however, I was told to request the ability to use them for errands as we need. Likewise, as this is a temporary arrangement, I assume Herr Klein knows that these slaves Sofia will be bringing, including me, are not to be assaulted in any way." She was trying to speak respectfully, though her voice had an edge to it when she said assaulted.

Asta · January 12, 2019, 11:03:13 PM

"Can't see why we'd do that." Hanako said, shrugging. "As far as Herr Klein and his preference for quality tools, let's head inside and talk while things get unloaded."

Hanako motioned for Trudy to lead the way and guide Dietrich inside. As they walked, she wondered to herself if it was a good idea to reveal that Klein was dead and that everyone in the estate was free. Well, practically everyone. If push came to shove she could always just make the woman forget what she would learn, but Trudy seemed to have a great deal of trust in her so it likely wouldn't be required.

While the wagon is being unloaded Hanako will take Elyse to some kind of private office where they can discuss things.

Throndir · January 12, 2019, 11:12:50 PM

Location: Herr Klein's Estate - Lobby
Date: Day 7 - 6:30 AM

Soon enough, the wagon was unloaded. Minette and Wendy had begun going through the boxes as well. Wendy's eyes at least opened up wide.

"Will ya look at that!" She exclaimed. "More of those 'firearms' darling Hanako brought with her yesterday... And oh! Different types too... Oh Minette, please let me look at those? Please?"

Minette had smiled, but she called out to you before you left.

"I'll make sure... to let you know what everything else in here are... Hanako..."

Location: Herr Klein's Estate - Private Office
Date: Day 7 - 6:30 AM

Trudy decided to follow after you, as she herself knew the captain. Once the three of you were in the room, Elyse spoke up.

"Is... that girl without the pants really a soldier?" Elyse asked curiously. "Everyone treats it like it's normal... And again, Herr Klein will not be ordering any of that for any slave Frau Leiningen brings here. I assume that letter to Herr Klein speaks of it already... Anyways, how about you...? You're Isikawan aren't you? Your master does things like that too, huh..." She seemed like she wanted to say more, but she chose not to. Though, her tone of voice was one of disgust.

Asta · January 12, 2019, 11:26:41 PM

"Thank you!" she called back to Minette.

Hanako shrugged. "Nobody tells her to do it, it's just something she does. Herr Klein won't be ordering anyone to do anything either because he's dead." she said, matter-of-factly. In the walk between the front door and the private room Hanako had decided that honesty was the best policy with this woman so she wasn't going to bother trying to dance around the issue.

"I'm not Isikawan either, I'm Japanese. I can see where you might be confused though, I've been told they look a lot like me. One last thing as well, I have no master, nobody here does and what do you mean by 'does things like that too'?" Hanako continued, not bothering to put on airs. "I guess that's technically three things."

Hanako studied the woman, she seemed a little uptight but that may have been reasonable considering the circumstances.

Lady has a real stick up her ass...

Throndir · January 13, 2019, 12:28:35 PM

Location: Herr Klein's Estate - Private Office
Date: Day 7 - 6:30 AM

"Herr Klein is dead?" She stared carefully at you and Trudy, and you noticed her move her arms in a way that made it easier for her to reach for the firearm she had equipped.

"I take it... this is what Frau Leiningen meant when she said to 'accept and believe what the slaves of Herr Klein tells you'." She relaxed her posture, then made it a point to sit on one of the chairs.

"As brilliant and driven our chief executive is, sometimes her flare for the dramatic are really unnecessary. She should have told us and the others with me."

"Isikawans are prized slaves, you see. I just figured Herr Klein would have dressed up a slave in a soldier's uniform. Some men have some strange fetishes. Frau Leiningen spares her slaves from that though, and apart from our forced servitude, I think we are treated better than most other slaves from the other nobles and companies. But what's Japanese? A new country summoned here? Don't tell me the rumoured hero summoning Herr Klein did actually went through." She laughed. "Our demonic overlords would be at the doorsteps right now if that were the case."

Trudy squirmed, and seemed uncomfortable, but she chose not to say anything.

"But I heard Klein chose to avoid unnecessary attention in the end..." She began to narrow her eyes. "... and that was also when I heard that he had simply shut himself away and required the services of the Birkensen Trading Company... So... What other information have I lead been astray in?"

Asta · January 13, 2019, 02:24:51 PM

Hanako shrugged. "I guess it all depends on what you really want to know." she said casually, perhaps it would have been better not to say she was Japanese but the cat was out of the bag now. "Trudy knows you, and I assume trusts you and while that should be good enough for me I have a lot of people here to protect. So how good are you at keeping secrets?"

It would be good to have this woman on board, she seemed to hold a pretty high rank among Sofia's slaves and presumably would have her confidence. However blind trust was never really a good option.

Throndir · January 13, 2019, 03:55:30 PM

Location: Herr Klein's Estate - Private Office
Date: Day 7 - 6:30 AM

"Hmm. Just curiosity I suppose. It doesn't change the fact that Frau Leiningen herself was the one who assigned me here. I owe a lot to that woman, so I won't just blatantly disregard what she wills of me."

"And yes, Lieutenant Trudy Werner was a fine officer." Elyse said looking towards Trudy and giving a simple nod. She then turned her eyes towards you, however, and stared at you straight in the eye unwavering.

"As for secrets, unlike my employer, I care not much for them. That said, I am first and foremost one of Frau Leiningen's aides, for me to be personally sent here, is something quite remarkable. But I will not question her wishes. If I am to be here to oversee the operations of the Birkensen Trading Company's slaves, then that is what I will do."

Asta · January 13, 2019, 04:27:45 PM

"I'll let you retain plausible deniability then" Hanako said, returning Elyse's gaze. "It would be bad though, for the demons to come snooping around here. Take that as you will."

Hanako found a seat herself. "I'll can tell you that we wont be here for too much longer though. Once all of Klein's slaves have been safely moved from his various holdings we will be leaving Refedora for a while and seeking asylum elsewhere. We'll be assisting your master with some business transactions as part of a deal that would allow our flight to hopefully go unnoticed. This is where your people come into play." She leaned back in her chair. Sofia will be maintaining the illusion that Klein is still alive and well and going about his business here, as well as managing his assets for a cut of the profits. What exactly you and your men will be doing, I haven't the faintest. I only knew Klein for less than a day and he didn't make a good impression, so his routines are beyond me."

Hanako crossed one leg over the other and waited for Elyse's reply.

Throndir · January 13, 2019, 04:50:49 PM

Elyse sighed.

"It wouldn't surprise me that demons shouldn't be around. It's similar to the Birkensen Trading Company as well. Frau Leiningen did mention that more of her slaves would be coming by to fill other roles within the next few days. I didn't realize that included a 'Klein' as well. I was looking at a potential roster of people Leiningen was thinking of sending over here, it involved a couple of accountants, along with a few individuals known to be rather sly. The three others with me, though they look like any other slave from Frau Leiningen, they are actually soldiers too, though, part of their orders were to come here without their uniform, and learn from Klein's current staff on procedures of maintenance around the estate."

"I found it strange that some of Frau Leiningen's most-skilled slaves and workers would be reassigned to the Klein Company, or at least, Klein's estate. But... with the designs that my master has, I'm beginning to see why she would do such a thing."

"All of Klein's slaves... I believe that's almost a thousand? Give or take a hundred. I'm not aware of any of your other plans, nor do you have to tell me, but moving that many in a short period will draw some eyes. I hope you have a plan in place."