Valdis walked through the large sliding glass doors, taking off her sun glasses and sticking them into her coat pocket. Sadly after much research this Jun fellow had absolutely no life outside of his work…soooo...they had to fall back to Valdis’s original plan. After all it was really their only excuse for being at this man’s place of work.

Valdis calmly strolled forward, coming to the reception desk.

”Hello, my name is Valdis Ito; I called ahead about an hour ago. Mr. Kaneko is expecting us.”

Valdis had indeed called ahead to schedule a tour with Mr. Keneko, she was surprised how easy it was to get an appointment with him. Now all they needed to do was wait until the blue haired business man came to see them.

Exactly on time, an elevator nearby dings and the suave, blue haired man looks in Valdis' direction with the ever charming smile of a practiced businessman. He was tall, wearing a tailored black suit with a red tie. His hair was finely cut around shoulder length to his unusual but natural blue hair color. Piercing blue eyes look across at the room, as he sees the pop singer in the other side of the room. He calmly begins to approach her, pausing a respectable six feet away.

"Ahh Valdis, I assume this is something important since you decided to use the Ito name to get my attention and not your normal surname of choice, Mortimer. If this is a confession of love, I fear I may have to reject it as I feel our schedules would not compatible nor our interests." he states with a small, humorous chuckle. It was infamous that Mr Kaneko was the most eligible bachelor in Tokyo and young women often did precisely that.

"And if this is a request for sponsorship professionally, I will have to ask that you sign a contract that foremost removes the subliminal influence that is within your songs. Kaneko industries does not approve of psychological manipulation for profit." he says, referring to something that even Valdis might not be aware of.

"And I assume this isn't about the SHOGUN, which even if it were I can only speak of such matters with your father and the General." he says, then smiling warmly. "And if it isn't any of the above, then how may I be of service to you?"

Valdis raised an eyebrow when he approached and addressed her. For a Japanese man he sure addressed her informally.

”Alrighty then I see we’re on a first name basis already, I thank you Jun for being able to meet with me on such short notice.”

A sly smile crossed her lips as she batted her eye lashes at the young business man.

”I’m flattered you took my fragile girl innocence and let me down easy before my pride was hurt…how gentlemanly of you. But alas I’m afraid your right if were so our schedules would never coincide. It would never work, I’m far to busy to have my heads in the clouds…although I’m sure my father would be ecstatic at the pairing…I’m to stubborn to let him have that so you can put your worries aside for that.”

She did however like this man already, his personality was refreshingly less uptight then what she had been expecting. However her playfulness left completely when he broached the subject of her art. An eyebrow arched up and her eyes narrowed.

”Say that again….and rephrase that what I sing are not my songs just my voice….my managers have been making me sing that crap they call music.”

This was news to her….and now that made sense… and pissed her off…..The little dots seemed to connect with Valdis extraordinarily fast.

”……As for the SHOGUN, I wouldn’t come to a person who would tell my father I was prying now would I?”

She paused, this meeting had took a turn slightly….enemy or not this man now had information she was interested in finding out. But her original objective still stood.

”Would you believe I saw you in a dream and decided to act on it?”

"Ah yes, I wasn't sure whether to subscribe to a more Western approach or Eastern, but I figured since you seem to favor the European part of your heritage in your choice of surname, the more familiar method of Western Business seemed more appropriate. I could always go more formal if you like, Ito-San" Jun says, maintaining a cool, composed method of his speaking and actions.

He chuckled at Valdis playing into his remark about love confessions, but then raised a brow as she remarked about her music.

"Interesting...most people wouldn't be so quick to trust a statement like that without checking their own details. However perhaps my reputation of being honest in my dealings worldwide simply inspires confidence. It seems you didn't know, so if you like I can share my data in my office." he states, then looking at Valdis with a small laugh when she mentioned 'seeing him in a dream'.

'Dreams are a reaction of the brain and a day's given stimuli during deep sleep. I was on the news recently, so it's entirely reasonable. I thought you already admitted we wouldn't work together, so I'm curious then what you mean exactly?"

”I may be wrong but I believe surnames are also used in the western culture, at least those with proper etiquette do…but it really depends on the business. But I believe the USA is an exception. Although I believe we went past formal already, a pleasant surprise I’m not going to argue to change it.”

Being called Ito san did make her twitch slightly; it was very odd to be called Ito… Her face blanked as he seemed to pat himself on the back for his ‘honesty’. A delicate eyebrow arched.

”That wasn’t why I was so quick to believe it. You just happened to give me a missing piece of a puzzle that has been bothering me. But I would love to hear the data you have collected on it….while I have a plan that will fortunately end up combating that it’s nice to know that I will have to add a healthy dose of revenge to my list. I will explain further when we are in a private place.”

Since he worked with both her father and general she didn’t see the harm in telling him her reasoning. She chuckled when he explained the dreams.

”That would be true if I had even known who you were beforehand….As you can imagine with my career I have little care for anything that doesn’t revolve around it. I’m a superstitious girl, I believe some dreams have meanings. It would seem mine did, you have information that would be valuable for my career.”

"Well then...I think the direction of this conversation calls for my personal office. Please follow." Jun says with a polite bow, then returning to the elevator. Once Valdis had entered, Jun withdraws a keycard from his jacket pocket and swipes it on a card reader. A code registers and the pair are calmly and quickly ushered to the top floor, a restricted floor to the rank and file employees. Inside would be an utterly luxurious office: gold leaf adorned his main desk, and numerous cultural and artistic pieces could be seen tastefully around the room. A few hallways went off, reflecting other locations on the floor. Bookcases also lined two walls, reaching to the ceiling and filled with many types of literary books.

Jun approaches his desk and takes a seat where he opens a concealed keyboard in the top of the desk, typing in it quickly. A holographic projection monitor begins to appear in front of him, as he types.

"Welcome to my office...now let me begin to illustrate..." he says, pulling up several documents in a long list. The title of the list is 'factors that influence negative behavior in the populace' subdivided by education, income, and many factors. Jun pauses and then leans forward, clasping his hands.

"As one of the largest public suppliers of equipment to the JSDF, I make it my business to study the JSDF's natural enemy, the Covenant. It is also a matter of curiosity of just what drives human nature to willingly enlist in such things. When you made a request for a meeting, as I always do, I check my documentation and files for information related to the acquaintance in mind. I found a cross-check in these listings where your latest single was recorded among playlists of people who ended up joining the Covenant. While you naturally have many fans and many non-enemy fans, I investigated by analyzing the sound file..." he says, as he pulls up another display which seemed to be a custom-programmed sound monitor.

"Now...when you take away the lyrics, and the primary music, there is a faint tone. You then also amplify these sounds and bring them to the surface..." he says, as he plays it and a very dull, dark amount of sound comes out of the unit. Whispers could be faintly heard speaking in a language that wasn't known to men.

"...I've found that the minds of a few laypeople working in receiving, once analyzed, lit up more negative feelings and emotions within the listeners. While this alone is a far cry from being the main reason to join a force of 'evil and destruction', it certainly has a subtle influence when listened to over long periods of time." he says calmly, knowing that his facts and math would hopefully show the young musician.

She fallowed him up, nonchalantly running her hands across the books while she explored the office. Valdis gazed around at the finery, such things she was use to seeing. She was only thankful her home stayed on the more modest side of things......sort of. When he sat down and pulled up a holographic image Valdis whistled. She was impressed.

"Oooooo Fancy"

She watched the holograph intently, a stern frown crossing her face as he played the sound file. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end....however she was relieved that it wasn't her singing that caused the issue. That and it sounded like it was an add on to the recorded sound track.

"The fact this is the sound track makes things more difficult....but it is a relief as well. But since we are here I will tell you why I was so quick to believe that my music was helping the covenant. The main part being the fact my manager is one of those beasts, I've been wondering why I haven't been attacked again by it....and also why it was so concentrated on being our manager. This just solved that puzzle. Thank you for finding this information."

She sat down on the edge of his desk, a position that she often took on her fathers desk.

"The covenant gain energy from negative feelings, so this is having a larger impact then just having people convert."

She sighed and ran her hand through her hair, changing agencies was a risky business, while she had the fierce loyalty of her band, she would have to have a better reason for changing there contracts then its helping the covenant...cause frankly some members probably would care.

"Thank you. I have little use my personal wealth, so I indulge in things such as this." Jun says in response to the comment about the layout being fancy, and his expression then turns more solid.

"...A beast...you mean a Class IV Covenant? If you are so sure, then why don't you simply call in the military to handle it? But you would certainly need some kind of proof. I wish I could say I had a team that could capture it alive...if it really is a monster, it would have the potential to help my Weapons Designers create more effective personal weaponry to sell worldwide to the powers fighting the Covenant." he says, then sighing a little.

"Though I suppose this kind of situation needs to be handled more delicately due to the 'daughter of the president' bit, wouldn't it.." he says calmly thinking a little "If this 'negative feeling energy' think has some weight to it, is makes some things make a lot more sense. Your music would be very easy for this kind of thing, since even without tampering it resonates with the more mellow parts of the heart, it's easy to push it a little harder into full negative territory. Not that there is anything wrong with the quality of your music. This is merely my analytical opinion with regards to the subliminal aspect." he says, keeping up an icy businessman's guard about offending her.

"Well...should you cut ties, I believe an agreement can be reached with 'Ambition', the Kaneko Industries owned music producer. Just think, you could be working alongside the likes of Minako Aino, though fortunately I believe your own style would have no direct competition." he says, the business attribute mighty as always. There was always money to be made, and even Valdis would have to admit that this was a tantalizing offer.

”I’m afraid I don’t know the class differences, never really made a note of it…nor really until recently wanted to…In the past couple of weeks I’ve had the misfortune of being in the vicinity of a couple of attacks. One of them being my manager...She attacked a group of thugs after I went ‘missing’. It’s a well known fact that my managers don’t stick around for very long…I’m actually annoyed she hasn’t up and quit yet but now I know why. I told my dad, and he said much of the same thing that the situation would have to be handled delicately….He’s been having her watched from what I know but she really hasn’t made a move since the first time she attacked.”


Valdis’s frown never left her face, she disliked the manager even more now. If she wanted to speed the process up she was sure she could agitate her into transforming again…however common sense reasoned her not to do so. As for when he commented about her music she nodded, what he said made more then enough sense.


”That’s because the feelings I sing it with are mellow, unfortunately that’s my niche, I have yet to release something that is drastically different. How ever my band has already begun to compose pieces that may broaden our musical genre, at lease we have been in-between managers. I already had plans in set to pull one over on my agencies ‘musical direction’ they had planned for us.”


She smiled when he proposed they come up with an agreement.


”I would be interested in that, as for Aino, she should prepare to be overtaken. My bands true talent have yet to be revealed. When they are no one will stand a chance.”

She chuckled, a fire of determination in her eyes would make anyone believe what she said as the truth. She was a force of nature that would not be stopped, and the same held true for her bandmates that backed her. However she did come back to reality and looked him square in the eye.

”The fact my music was used to help the covenant sits unwell with me, if we do discuss a contract I request part of the profit goes to a charity set up to help the victims of the covenant. Especially those who have been recently hit hard in this area…”

"In that position, they probably seek to preserve you as a tool of spreading their subliminal activity. They likely encourage rapid changing in order to not look suspicious. The fact that you know is a huge failure on their end." Jun says calmly, listening calmly as Valdis spoke, his ears picking up on any and all opportunities and knowledge.

"There's nothing wrong with your musical type. All types add to the flavor and vareity of music. To ask an artist to do something against their nature would not get the same results. I am curious to know though what you plan to do when you 'one up' your current agency." he says, closing his eyes with a pleased smirk on his face.

"Then I wish you the best of luck. Competition keeps the blade of skill sharp. As far as a chairty for proceeds, that is certainly acceptable. Good for PR, will likely lead to a greater gain overall for both the charity and profits to have word of your music doing good than to simply operate without it. Image is also a plus." he says calmly thinking for a moment.

"Of course...I have a feeling that if and when you make that switch, there will be some kind of trouble. I hope your father will have a security force available, perhaps those cyborgs that are supposed to be just for such an occasion." he says crypticaly, then leaning back and closing one hand into a fist, leaning into it with the side of his head. "Even if you are trying to the right thing, I am certain that your manager will not react....peacefully...when it comes to pass."

"I highly dislike being used as a tool, and having my music dragged through the mud in such away. It is an insult in the highest caliber."


Right now she was more agitated then a hive of bees with a bear paw in there nest, but her composer remained calm and her face a cool mask of indifference. A small smile tugged at the edge of her lips when he attempted to console her on her lack of variety in her profession.

"For a good artist perhaps but for a great one much like a great actor one must be able to play all roles. As for our plans, we are adding more substance to our music. When I feel it suitable we will be crossing that line of good artists to great ones. As we are right now we are just a fad that will soon pass from memory......I plan to make history. That and I will deal a direct blow to the efforts that the covenant, they prey on negative emotions I will somehow enforce positive. To do so I'm choosing to make the change to my nature to successfully do so."


She was glad that he approved of the idea, when she had proposed she had little fear of it being denied. Valdis was more then aware of what it would do for her image. Especially since it was going directly against the image she had already made for herself. The depth of her image was to grow along with her music. Her eyebrow arched in a silent question when he broached the subject of cyborgs, were there such things?

"As of right now my father is aware of the danger but yet is just observing waiting for the opening to arise to take them down. While he will be.........unhappy with this method, I see it as a perfect opportunity to expose both her and the company. I am aware of the danger it poses but if done tactfully I think the good that it will do will out way the risk, at least for me it would. The only problem I see is finding a secure place for the incident to occur. Now ...I will be blunt with you, what are these cyborgs?"

"Well, I believe it is best to trust an artist with their style and technique. To force somebody to go against their natural talents is just not profitable or worth the time. This is why I don't have a direct action of Ambition normally. Music is something I admire and respect, but not something I am well versed enough to administrate. Fortunately, Akihiko-San administrates to Ambition quite well." Kaneko says with a content smile on his face. It was rare that the young man didn't seem pleased. It was part of his charm.

"Whatever you do, just please be careful, I couldn't live with the guilt of a talented young musician dying from some plan gone awry, plus I would hate to lose a valuable potential asset." he says then chuckling slightly when she asked about the cyborgs.

"Yes..the cyborgs...they are called SPECTRE. I forget what the acronym stands for, but essentially it is a top secret program that takes wounded soldiers looking for a second chance and volunteers to augment their bodies cybernetically to have higher combat potential than their flesh bodies would have allowed. I became aware of this because that insane Matou had to order some parts from us, which I'm sure he greatly disliked. Things such as fine wiring for linking nerves to circuits and even replacement optics. Highly expensive and still formally going through medical trials." he says with an exhaled sigh as he gets up and walks over to a book case.

"However...I do admit, I find the entire thing a little...distasteful. It is perhaps only my own personal opinion, but I think when we begin to opt to cut off wounded limbs to replace them with metal ones we take a step in the wrong path of human evolution. That is precisely why I designed the SHOGUN to be capable of providing the might of technology without the sacrifice of the human spirit. I have had the medical division searching for a regenerative serum, but we lack access to the samples to develop the formula." he says, walking to a window and looking down at the city below him.

"I believe that the world needs hope of a brighter tomorrow. That there is an end to this war in sight. Assuming everything goes well with your father, the General, and the SHOGUN, I will open a plant that I have been building outside the city that will begin to mass produce the SHOGUN for military use, and with some luck perhaps this powerful new weapon will allow us to take Sapporo back and beyond. We all have to keep dreaming or else, we might as well blow up the city ourselves and save the grief of invasion." he says, with a small laugh.

”It’s more of the potential loss of business that would guilt ya, isn’t it”

She looked at him with a dead panned expression not believing for a second he would morn anything more than a loss of potential money. But she understood the risks, and she was sure that her father would disapprove. When he explained SPECTAR to her she listened with interest….this development was interesting if not slightly disturbing.

”….What happens when a cyborg turns I wonder”

Though she did wondered why if it was so top secret he was sharing this with her, then even went on to discuss some of his own research. Had she not been such a talented actress she may have visibly stiffened at the mention of missing a regeneration serum . But due to her own talents she was able to remain visibly relaxed during the startling revelation that if discovered she would probably be poked and prodded to find the source of her own abilities. How she hated needles….at least when they were going into her...

”What samples would you need?”

A frown found itself to her face at his sentiments of blowing up the city.

”I think the people would rather go down fighting tooth and nail before they would willingly blow up their home…especially when there is naught a place where they can go to for salvation. But may I ask why are you so quick to share with me this information?“

"Well naturally that is a factor any competent entrepreneur should keep in mind, but believe it or not I put the well being of people before profits. Now if you ask me why I charge for my services and equipment, it's to keep my people well paid and able to lead their lives. If I could individually do something that guaranteed victory, then I would do so gladly without heed to personal cost." Jun says with a wry smile, closing his eyes for a moment. When Valdis asked what happens when a cyborg turns, Jun shrugged.

"I assume that even Matou would have some kind of fail safe in mind for when that happens. Or perhaps they are protected somehow, I'm sure the military has some resources that I do not." the young businessman says with another shrug when she asked about what resources were needed.

"I think the research departments wanted starfish stem cells or something, they will not use covenant samples even if they have been noted to have significant rapid regeneration. It's a shame that the samples we need are...impractical to acquire right now. Of course, short of a miraculous discovery, a proper serum would take over a year of testing to be approved for combat use." Kaneko says with a small sigh.

"Well, yes, idealistically the human spirit would want to fight, though I believe people fear pain more than death. As far as to why I share this information, well firstly it is public knowledge in the stockholder reports about current and upcoming projects. The SPECTREs are an unspoken secret among the military and even some civilians are aware of them." he says with a small chuckle.

"However, as you say, a dream brought you to me. There are things you need to know, and things that may prompt some thinking. Even with the prospect of the music contract, I can't help but to wonder if you came here for something else."

Valdis couldn't help but imagine a fail safe self destruct button, this caused her to chuckle as the images of a bunch of random people randomly blowing up crossed her mind. But her chuckle faded off when he mentioned the stem cells from star fish, she was relieved that they wouldn't use covenant samples. It meant that she may be safe if her secrete was ever found out, after all she originally jumped to the conclusion she was like one of them to begin with. When the subject changed a small smile came across her lips.

"I'm an impulsive girl, in my dream you had a secret, one may never know. While I know your partnered with the military I felt as tho it was something a little more interesting then that. While again this could just be a dream it did prompt me to come seek you out. It seemed it was beneficial for me to do so considering this information I just received.But that subject aside, what is your opinion of these individuals popping up and taking down what military weapons can not?"