The Quantum-Shielded ATT jumped over the shifting rubble of the previously called “Cultural Safety Barrier”, as they entered the Japanese-dedicated residential district behind the Ta Sui Facilities, in the Huaquiao QAZ.

The vehicle trampled over a steel sign, previously hanging near the top of the wall, which read, in two languages:

为了国家帝国的荣耀，为具有日本血统的光荣工人提供非常热情好客的宿舍。塔岁 4.

Ta-Sui 4 living area.

“We’re at the Jetto, bitches, get ready!” joked the pilot over comms, particularly proud of his rendition of the concept of “Japanese Ghetto”.

Simon sighed and checked his personal holodeck again. He didn’t particularly enjoy the pilot’s joke, but he realized, looking at the map and the traces of the solid plasteel walls, that the residential area they were getting into was indeed a sort of prettied-up ghetto for Japanese citizens, built as far back as 50 years prior. The diplomatically called “cultural safety barrier” they just crossed was nothing but a 20 feet tall solid wall, with razorwire on top, disguised via cheap plastic foliage and holographic purple flowers as a particularly pretty, if not a bit too orderly, wisteria plant.

The vehicle stopped behind a small house covered in solar panels, opening up as a flower to allow everyone to disembark. Simon followed the disgruntled mercenaries, none of which seemed to like him much, behind the house, in the fenced garden.

Standing tall right next to the house’s veranda, looking at the fake koi pond like some sort of mechanical statue, was a Guijia. It was already there waiting for them when they arrived and, sitting in the shade under the large orange frame of the machine, was a short asian woman, her petite frame clad in a tight yellow plug-suit, her young face wearing a sour expression.

She sipped a bit of the hot-tea-pocket she had in her hands (a little plastic sac with a straw, branded Capritokyo-sun) , probably stolen from the very same house, and waited, as all the troops disembarked from the ATT. She then stood as tall as she possibly could, which was not actually that much at all, and declared, with a young but very angry voice:

“你好。我是“Cuddles”中尉，我来这里是为了指挥你执行我们光荣的使命。这个地方有日本公民。我们必须找到他们并绑架他们以勒索赎金。如果你活捉他们的话还会有额外的钱。让我们尽力而为吧”

Everybody shifted slightly on their feet in the silence that followed.