An Unexpected Leasing

[Yoshida]

June 819 A.S.

Steven Allen was sleeping at his apartment in Leiden Base. His plans for a major operation in the eastern part of the New York system were about to become real within the coming weeks which made his sleep even better.

*beep*
"Mr Yoshida your presence is requested at the Operations Room immediately."

Goro Yoshida, or simply known as Mr Yoshida, was Steven's alias of course. Every Hacker used one, if not more. Yoshida didn't bother to ask for more information; this message -- or better say order -- certainly came from a superior. A minion would not dare to summon him without giving a good reason. Unless it had a death wish of course. The Hacker quickly dressed up and showed no sign of his discomfort while moving through the station's decks. Yoshida wasn't surprised when he found the room empty and an external communication line on standby. Afterall there were few colleagues above his station within Leiden.

He took a cardamine dose and opened the comm with his left arm. The holocommunication revealed one of the Professors and Yoshida slightly inclined his head in respect.

"Greetings Goro, it's good to see you again." Yoshida didn't miss this informality as the Professor addressed him with his first name. His mind was already making quick calculations to determine what he wanted but he found no certain answers; he was displeased.

"Professor Sanguinetti, I am equally pleased to see you. I hope the communication inteference buoys project in Ontario is going well."

"I'm afraid it does not develop as well as I expected. We cannot reach even 40% of the efficiency of dark matter clouds. Such as the ones found in Galileo and Kepler."

"That is most unfortunate Professor. Perhaps the technicians of Leiden may have an idea should you allow them to examine the schematics..."

"I don't think we can declassify the project yet, I'm afraid."

"That's a pity..."

"Anyway, I know I have disturbed you from your work so I will attempt to not waste more of our time. I am sure you know Hanáchi, a small but extremely influential Hogosha syndicate. Well, within the last few days the syndicate experienced major security issues. Their database was hacked and massive amounts of information were leaked. A lot of them sensitive too. We don't know who is behind yet, but I expect Kishiro or a rival syndicate should logically be responsible. Some hours ago they contacted us and requested an expert in order to retrieve the leaks. Needless to say, this syndicate is one of our main partners in the artifact trade, so it would be vital to help them..."

"Of course..." Yoshida said already knowing what would be asked of him.

"Goro you are one of the best hackers that we have so I'd like to ask you to go to Kusari and solve this... issue. I won't lie to you but I suspect these amateurs will take advantage of your skills and ask you to reconstruct their cyber defences too. Regardless, you will be richly rewarded by their boss."

"It sounds interesting. However I am responsible for several currently running projects, I have a network of informants to maintain and on top of that it is a matter of days before the operation against W.F.Cody will be announced. It would be a waste to abandon so many things, Professor."

The Professor could see that Yoshida could not be easily convinced. He carefully considered his words before he spoke again.

"Even though we have not decided on your proposed operation, I do not think it would be approved. We currently cannot spare the proposed amount of resources and manpower for an operation with so small chances of success. Your proposal is probably going to be postponed indefinitely, but once you return back I can promise you that we will reconsider it."

Professor Sanguinetti then paused for a moment while he started clicking a few holo-buttons and the face of a middle-aged Hispanian showed up.

"As for your network of informants, Mr Baradj will be responsible. He will maintain the network and try to expand it too. He is efficient at this type of work, I can assure you."

Goro Yoshida considered his options. The advantages certainly outweighed the cons. He was a respected and feared Hacker, even listed as one of the most-wanted individuals in Liberty. But he couldn't let his pride to get in his way. Valuable experience and a rich reward awaited him.

"Very well then. I will wrap up some outstanding business and I'll be ready to be smuggled in Kusari. You are persuasive Professor, count me in."

---

Forty hours later Mr Yoshida was at the bar waiting to board a Hogosha transport which would make the return trip back to Kusari. His memories with the Lane Hackers were removed save for his mission objectives and his alias. His face was even altered. However it was arranged to normally continue consuming cardamine.

Yoshida chuckled. His life was more valuable than any passenger onboard, he was even more valuable than the entire Hogosha transport. Yet noone knew who his was. His Hanáchi contact was expecting him in Kusari and there a new life would begin for him. Yoshida inhaled deeply trying to scent what would come next.

---

"There are those who lack ambition. Who lack ability. But if you possess both then it is your role to reign over this world."

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