>>43625976
>Deal with the press

>>43625976
>Leave everything to Nayuta
What's the worse that can happen

Rolled 1 (1d2)

A tie to start off tonight's run then.

1. Press.
2. Nayuta

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“I figured you’d say that nii-chan,” Nayuta tapped a few more buttons on her keyboard, “So I’ve prepared some options.”

The screens shifted as Nayuta finally turned around to face you. You noted the choices she had prepared.

“Since it’s a lazy Sunday morning so there’s not that much more than the usual politics and crime to talk about on TV.”

“You had me booked for a talk show,” you noted.

“Tentatively,” she corrected, “odds were 50-50 that’d you actually want to deal with the press yourself so if you didn’t go I’d go.”

“And then I’d be reduced to sidekick to Magical Nayu-tan, am I right?”

You too had an internet connection. It was interesting what some parts of the web got up to.

“Don’t start trolling anonymous image boards just yet nii-chan,” your boss warned.

“Of course.”

You minimised your helmet’s web browser for the moment. Nayuta didn’t seem convinced but continued any,

“The host of the show is part of Scholastic Times, or at least from the same parent company.”

You remembered the brief statement you gave them and followed their articles. Of course due to your recent actions they have been seriously scrutinising your mandate. There were many disagreements with your methodology and some commentators had scathing remarks.

“They don’t seem to like me,” you told your boss.

“That’s what I thought too so here is the other option.”

“Academy City Free Radio?”

“Really they’re just a pirate radio broadcast but it does have a big number of listeners.”

“Because they appeal to the Level 0 crowd.”

And Skill-Out as well but that went without saying.

“I thought you’d like a more informal or private environment.”

Nayuta was thoughtful like that.

“Of course if you simply can’t resist trolling the internet I guess we can host an AMA somewhere.”

“Maybe on Pota.to Online?” you offered.

“It’s up to you really nii-chan.”

>Live talk show
>Radio interview
>Host an AMA
>On second thought, you’d rather not

>>43626680
>Live talk show
I wanna do the AMA just for shits and giggle but addressing our critics seems more important to our image.

>>43626680
>Radio interview

>>43626680
>Host an AMA

so the public's perception of VERDICT is Jason Vorhees with a badge?

Rolled 1 (1d3)

Three way tie? Really?
1. Television
2. Radio
3. Internet

I should have voted for the AMA

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“Well since you’ve already booked me a TV appearance, let’s do that, the other two can wait.”

“If that’s what you want,” Nayuta shut down her computers, “Come on.”

She started leading you out by the hand.

“I have a GPS you know?”

Nayuta didn’t answer but it wasn’t like you were going to stop her. You weren’t even sure you could. The two of you quickly clambered in to your car and were off shortly. It was once you arrived at the studio that you were glad she was with you. For the most part you kept silent and she navigated through the byzantine procedures and talks that were required. It was a bit short notice after all. You pretended to not hear the gossip going on about VERDICT’s manager that was no doubt traversing the building.

“Don’t worry about too much about the rumours about you being a lolicon nii-chan,” Nayuta said.

“It’s already too late right?” you sighed.

Nayuta looked disappointed at your quick resignation. You simply shrugged as the two of you were led to a waiting room. The talk show had already started but you weren’t the immediate topic of discussion and you were pretty sure they were trying to keep the audience in suspense.

“And now before I introduce our special guest for this morning, I’d like to talk a little bit about their background. There have been many rumours floating around about how they have come about, whether they were plucked from their orphanage at a young age, or an old soul given a second chance. Our investigation team, with the help of Anti-Skill and Judgement were able to conclude that VERDICT is simply a student, like many other residents in City. So the questions on your minds must be, ‘what makes them so special?’, or, ‘who is VERDICT really?’ Well to answer these questions we’ve invited VERDICT for an interview.”

That was your cue. As you walked and made to greet the host, you had to set the tone.

>Relaxed with humour
>Polite but professional
>Quiet almost inhuman
>Other (write-in)

>>43627464
>Polite but professional

>>43627464
>Relaxed with humour

>>43627464
>Polite but professional

Reminder that last thread revealed that Nayuta might have raped Kyril.

>>43627839
>Nayuta is a VERDICTcon

File: talkshow host.png (133 KB, 480x640)

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Since you were still on the clock, so to speak, you decided to remain polite and professional. That was how you handled your entrance.

“Kurosawa Tohru, and the pleasure is all mine,” the host returned politely.

Your entrance and introduction would set the tone for the interview. First off were some of the easier questions. They mostly pertained to your personal life, much of which you really couldn’t answer. Nayuta would offer help from backstage from time to time but it wasn’t really needed.

“I suppose we shall have to respect your privacy on the matter,” Tohru concluded, “Though I suppose it makes sense given your history.”

Brief clips of you were being shown. They were dated as far back as last October, where your first sighting was reported.

“It is part of my standard operating procedure,” you repeated an answer supplied by Nayuta.

It wasn’t exactly a false statement.

“Yes, I’m sure it is for the safety of all those involved,” your host commented dryly, “Can you tell me more about this?”

So, the inquisition was finally beginning.

“I’m afraid you’re going to have to be more specific,” you answered neutrally, “Are you asking about my previous assignments or my standard operating procedure?”

“How about we start with your previous assignments.”

“They’re classified,” you kept your tone steady.

You weren’t sure if it was the tone of your voice or your answer that had him most annoyed.

“Well then perhaps your modus operandi, or maybe your mandate then?”

“Yes, to reiterate my mandate is to act first to prevent such threats to pursuing their agenda and failing that, to contain and mitigate such threats.”

You had repeated it pretty much verbatim.

“I see and does this mandate cover the situation that you had found yourself in yesterday? Does your mandate allow you to get away with murder?”

>”Yeah, pretty much”
>Other (write-in)

>>43628084
>Other (write-in)
"I have authorization to kill dangerous suspects and criminals should the situation warrant it. Like most Law Enforcement Officers."

I should have voted for the AMA

TV "Journalists" just want ratings

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“Like other law enforcement officials, I have authorisation to employ lethal force should the situation warrant it.”

“And the situation was warranted of course.”

Accusation was creeping in to his tone. The smile never left your host’s face.

“And since the details of your ‘assignments’ are classified, no one will ever know if justice was carried out or not.”

Nayuta came to your rescue and you answered,

“All I can say is that the suspect came at me with lethal force.”

“Well you certainly don’t shy away from it.”

Before your host was about to continue one of the studio’s crew came up to him, handed over a note and a whispered something in his ear.

“Sorry about that ladies and gentlemen,” he turned back towards the camera, “It seems that we have been given a letter to be read on air by an acquaintance of VERDICT.”

“To Academy City, a friend of mine is in the market for exotic pets and I have taken interested in a particular specimen of felines.. Please deliver the ‘Cheshire’ sample to the front step of the Silver Smile Social Club within School District 10 no later than January 29. Should you fail deliver, I will move to personally acquire it on the night of January 30. Sincerely yours, Lupin IV.”

All eyes and cameras turned to you. It was as if you had an answer since they were clearly expecting one. Nayuta had already hijacked the security cameras in the building. The messenger, one of the studio’s crew, was not actually employed here. You could tell since you saw Tadakuni take off the cap and wave at one of the cameras by the main entrance as he walked out. This wasn’t a Code M incident but it was clear that the deliver was deliberate.

You already knew they were going to ask,

“What are you going to do about it?”

>Looks like this interview is over, duty calls
>”This technically doesn’t fall under my mandate.”

What's the Cheshire sample? do we know that in character yet?

>>43628927
>Looks like this interview is over, duty calls

>>43629010
Going by the note, we can only assume it's a cat. We only have Rank B security clearance after all.

>>43628927
>Looks like this interview is over, duty calls

>>43628927
>Looks like this interview is over, duty calls
Gotta nip the supervillain fad in the bud.

>>43628927
>"This technically doesn't fall under my mandate"

>>43628927
>"This technically doesn't fall under my mandate"
Let's have destiny decide.

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“It looks like duty calls,” you finally said.

You got up and left the silent host behind. Nayuta joined you as you were walked back to your car.

“That was your friend wasn’t it nii-chan?”

“What’s the ‘Cheshire’ sample?” you asked instead.

“Huh?” she tilted her head, “Oh, it’s just a teleporting cat with optical camouflage.”

“So nothing special then?”

“Not really, until it becomes what rabbits were to Australia’s ecology.”

The two of you got in your car.

“So about your friend nii-chan, will there be a conflict of interest?”

“Well I suppose this was going to happen sooner or later.”

“Yeah, especially since Riko made you her nemesis,” Tadakuni interjected from the back, “Don’t go easy on us ‘kay?”

Nayuta squeaked out of her seat at his sudden appearance.

“For a combat cyborg, you really get scared too easily,” you teased Nayuta.

“And you don’t react nearly enough bro,” Tadakuni told you.

“Yeah well I was half expecting you to show up,” you kept your eyes on the road, “What’s the real story.”

“Well we’re throwing Nakazawa a surprise birthday party,” he paused, “Or well, I am, I’m sure the others will get him something nice when I tell them.”

You turned to Nayuta.

“Nii-chan, you’re under arrest!” she told your friend.

“One problem with that, Judgement can’t actually arrest me.”

Nayuta’s eyes narrowed before the familiar coil of snaked from under her wrist. Tadakuni didn’t get a chance to react before being tased to unconsciousness.

“But we can detain you,” Nayuta replied smugly.

“Not for long I bet,” you remarked.

Nayuta grunted noncommittally and climbed in to the back seat to secure your friend for interrogation.

“I still don’t see what the big deal is if the cat’s not actually going out of the City.”

“But it is going out of a controlled environment nii-chan. It’s going to be murder to contain.”

[1/2]

>>43629633
but we're great at murder!

>>43629633
“Then let her have it.”

Nayuta gave you a look.

“I mean we’ll know where she’ll be so we can either stop her then, or steal the cat back.”

Nayuta didn’t stop staring.

“I’m not sure why you’re worried about collateral anyway, it’s District 10.”

School District 3’s skyline has never been the same. Nor has insurance premiums for luxury hotels.

“I’ll pass along your suggestion nii-chan.”

The car came to a stop at one of the Anti-Skill offices. Nayuta hauled her prisoner, and your friend out. Your next stop was,

>Tadakuni’s cell, bail him out
>Your holdings in District 10
>The mall, find Nakazawa a gift

>>43629663
>The mall, find Nakazawa a gift

maybe some quality headphones?

>>43629663
>Your holdings in District 10

>>43629663
>The mall, find Nakazawa a gift

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The time is now around lunch, the weather is warmer, and the date remains unchanged.

As much as you wanted to bail out your friend, he kinda had it coming. No one could resist Nayuta and get away with it. Instead, your thoughts turned to obtaining a birthday present for Nakazawa. You recalled his birthday was on January 31 and made a small note of it. Thus your next stop was obviously one of the malls in School District 7. Of course you kept your helmet on. You didn’t have a convenient change of clothes with you, and given your recent appearance on TV, attempting to duck in to a clothing store would be even more suspicious.

“Well if it ain’t VERDICT.”

You recognised the voice that called out to you as you passed by the food court. It was Kyousuke and Nakazawa. You retracted the lower part of your helmet, smiling as you approached. Nakazawa was obviously not in on your little secret since he looked apprehensive at your approach. It couldn’t be helped.

“Kyousuke,” you took a seat, “Introduce me.”

“Oh right,” he realised, “VERDICT, my friend and classmate, Nakazawa, Nakazawa, VERDICT.”

“Aw shit man, I don’t even want to know how deep you’re in.”

You turned to Kyousuke at Nakazawa’s remarked. The former merely shrugged.

“Look, it’s obvious you’re not on the books for a reason so I really don’t want to know.”

“Like I said, I have skills to the pay the bills,” Kyousuke left it at that.

“At least you aren’t up to no good,” Nakazawa said, “I kinda miss Sagara and Tadakuni though, since they decided to drop out.”

“I just met Tadakuni though,” you put in.

“Oh, and where is he?” Kyousuke started looking around.

“Nayuta tased him after he passed me a message from Riko. I’ll bail him out later”

Kyousuke started laughing while Nakazawa looked on confused.

“So what are you actually here for then VERDICT?” Nakazawa asked, “I caught the tail end of your interview.”

[1/2]

>>43630423
“Some shopping,” a beat followed, “Is that so surprising?”

“Same here actually,” Kyousuke finally calmed down, “This clown’s birthday is coming up soon and I was wondering what he wanted.”

“You don’t have to get me anything,” Nakazawa protested, “It won’t be the same when we can’t get the old gang back together again.”

While the statement seemed a like a downer, you suspected that getting the old gang back together was pretty much all but confirmed. It wasn’t like Nakazawa was pretty complicated. He was similar to Kyousuke in the way that he liked a few things. Cars were one of them, though he still wasn’t old enough for a license. Outside of that he was in to video games just like you were kind were.

“Ah, enough sitting around. Let’s go look at stuff, maybe I’ll find something interesting,” Kyousuke declared.

You shrugged when Nakazawa gave you look and followed after Kyousuke. He was headed to,
>An electronics stores
>A toy store
>A car show room
>Other store (write-in)

>>43630434
>An electronics stores

>>43630434
>An electronics stores

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It was an electronics store. You weren’t sure what Kyousuke was looking for but it seemed like a good place to start your own shopping. Mostly, you wandered around the home entertainment area. You were clearly unsurprised to find separate area for robotics as well.

“How about this?”

Kyousuke held up a telescoping hand.

“If I broke his arms,” you replied pointing at Nakazawa.

“You’re actually not going to break my arms right?” he asked.

“You break the law, I break you,” you stated simply.

Nakazawa gulped.

“Relax. You don’t look like you have a criminal record,” you continued, “Nope, none in the databases as far as I can see.”

“Heh, yeah,” he agreed nervously.

Kyousuke flitted off to find more toys whilst you headed towards the home cinemas.

“How did you and Kyousuke become friends?”

“We worked together on a few things, I guess it started there.”

“Must be hard having a secret identity.”

“I got used to it,” you replied, “It just like having two different groups of friends.”

“I guess.”

The sound systems didn’t really interest you, and you doubted it would interest Nakazawa either. Instead you took a gander at some of the newer consoles and TVs. You never really had the money for one. Most of it had been spent, or wasted, in the coin ops around the City with the gang. Now that it was harder for everyone to hang out with him, it might be easier if he had a console to bring people to his place.

“What do you think?” you asked.

“You’re into games too?”

“Don’t have a lot of time for them nowadays but it’s not like I fight the forces of evil all day every day.”

“Yeah,” he agreed, “Might want to go with something portable then. Especially since ad hoc networking is easier nowadays.”

A portable gaming console, now that sounded like an even better idea for a birthday present, you can get one for him and one for you.

>Acquire two portable consoles
>Buy the latest generation console
>Try another store
>Enough shopping

>>43631132
>Acquire two portable consoles

Its probably one of the more successful vidya platforms in glorious Nippon

>>43631132
>Acquire two portable consoles

>>43631132
>>Acquire two portable consoles

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Kyousuke coincidentally came back to distract Nakazawa again as you went to a clerk to get your purchases squared away. An hour later, Kyousuke was the proud owner of some recording equipment and the three of you settled in for lunch at the food court.

The time is late afternoon, the weather is slightly chilly, and the date remains unchanged.

Kyousuke had also wanted to see you regarding your property in School District 10 later. After driving home, you quickly changed and left attend your other business. Unsurprisingly, you found your whole cabinet already present.

“So, what’s the problem?” you greeted.

“Well the first one’s to deal with Riko,” Sagara answered, “I bet you already know what she’s up to but did Tadakuni actually tell you what she’s was up to?”

“A birthday party right?”

“If only that was what dear Riko was up to then that would be the end of it,” Asuka spoke, “As it so happens, this was more the handiwork of Tadakuni. Riko actually has something else in mind.”

“How many layers is it this time?” Kyousuke asked.

He was obviously more familiar with Lupin’s methodology.

“Layers?”

“She always runs several jobs concurrently,” Sagara elaborated, “One of them is obvious where as the others aren’t exactly public knowledge.”

“Not even Riko tells me anything,” Asuka admitted, “though I suspect that our resident Ganimard will be involved.”

Now you were even more confused.

“Kongou Mitsuko,” Sagara explained, “If you remember her.”

“So, Ganimard, Jigen, and Fujiko,” Kyousuke summed up, “Not sure how we’ll stack up really.”

“Because we won’t,” Sagara smiled, “She’s hiring us, and I mean the Problem Children, to hit the Silver Smile at the same time.”

“Far be it from me to complain about striking a blow against The Guild but I am certain that Riko simply does not out source like this.”

“First time for everything,” Kyousuke shrugged.

Sagara turned to you and ask,

“So, you’re the boss, we doing this or what?”

[1/2]

>>43631722
>”Whoa slow down, give me the details first.”
>”Up to you, I’ll be playing Zenigata.”
>”Wait, what other problems do we have?”
>Other (write-in)

>>43631722
>”Up to you, I’ll be playing Zenigata.”

>>43631722
>”Up to you, I’ll be playing Zenigata.”

>>43631722
>>”Whoa slow down, give me the details first.”
>>”Wait, what other problems do we have?”
Moar info!

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“That is entirely up to you.”

Sagara raised an eyebrow.

“Me? I’ll be playing Zenigata.”

That drew smiles from around the room as Sagara replied,

“Heh, we’ll back you up 100% of the way then.”

“Right, so what’s next on the list?” you asked.

“After their contracted Ability User failed, the Guild has begun trying to drive down local property values.”

Kyousuke cut in,

“And by that she means they did a drive by two days ago. One of the guys downstairs got hurt but it wasn’t too bad. Then they tried to firebomb the neighbourhood yesterday.”

You were incredulous.

“And no one told me anything about this?”

“You might think these attacks are the most horrendous atrocities perpetrated,” Sagara stated, “But for me, it was just another Friday.”

“Right,” you conceded numbly.

“Worry not dear, for in forsaking this neighbourhood, the Guild has foolishly allowed us to solidify our grip on the neighbouring blocks,” Asuka elaborated, “Simply extend your magnanimous hand towards them in protection and they will be yours.”

“Which leads me to our next problem,” Kyousuke followed up, “Moles.”

You simply shook your head.

“We have a few ideas on what to do with them but I thought we should check with you first,” Sagara said.

Asuka merely scoffed.

“I am unsure as to why we need argue about the method of disposal in the first place. Roman emperors of old simply threw their enemies to lions. It is efficient, entertaining, and economical. If we were feeling particularly vengeful might I suggest pitting them against their friends?”

“If we’re talking value for money then I’d rather we bring them over to our side and use them?” Kyousuke rebutted, “I know you have a man on the inside already.”

“Let’s not forget that ultimately we’re going to put these guys out of business. No Guild, no moles,” Sagara added, “Hit them hard and fast.”

“You simply want to knock over the Silver Smile,” Kyousuke pointed out.

His silence was all but confirmation.

[1/2]

>>43632408
Your strategy going forward was,
>A retaliatory attack against the Guild
>Getting rid of the moles as Asuka suggested
>Win over hearts and minds to consolidate power
>Other (write-in)

>>43632439
>Getting rid of the moles as Asuka suggested
Is it time to play commissar? Why, I do believe it is!

>>43632439
>Win over hearts and minds to consolidate power

more power is always nice

>>43632439
>A retaliatory attack against the Guild

>>43632439
>Win over hearts and minds to consolidate power

>>43632439
>Win over hearts and minds to consolidate power

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“Let’s start with consolidating our position, recruitment, the works.”

“And the moles?” Asuka was still hung up about that apparently.

“What are they going to say to their bosses? Or even do? We’re too small for them to do any real damage for now. Besides if we’re clearly better than their bosses then maybe they’ll think twice before they do anything.”

“I believe you are being incredibly naïve about things dear but never let it be said that I will not provide you rope with which to hang yourself.”

With that the four of you went to work. Asuka and you were off to make sure the neighbourhood knew who the biggest kids on the block were. It was surprising to note that while you hadn’t gained any explicit territory, your influence had spread. A few were even considering a move to your territory for the safety it provided relative to the rest of the block. Sagara would be off making sure the moles made absolutely no use of anything you could give them. This was mostly old pistols; ones which were more likely to blow up in their face than blow someone else’s face off. Kyousuke for his part was making sure any new additions were settled in as well as knowing the rules around the place. That was how you spent the rest of your day.

Episode End.
https://twitter.com/BoredofDirector
Business opportunities. News from old friends arrives. Will this peace last? When writefag and /tg/ meet, the story begins.
Short run, but QM is sleepy, see you next week.

>>43633068
thanks for running

archived

get some well earned ZZZs

>>43633068
Night boss, see ya.