The First Steps

Standing proud atop the bow of their commandeered vessel, Jean-Luc drew in a deep breath of the salty ocean breeze that licked at his coat haphazardly. Off in the distance he could see it, a thin strip of black that was quickly encompassing the horizon. Japan, the Land of the Rising Sun and the next proverbial target on both his and Savage's list. From the moment Jean-Luc brought the news to his long time friend about the radical move that the Japanese Government was making in regards to Heroics, he knew that without a doubt that the Vagabonds would soon be visiting the island Nation. Though he supposed even if their fearless leader hadn't immediately been interested, Jean-Luc would have manipulated events so as to ensure their visit, it was too good of an opportunity to pass up. Japan was rife with Vigilantism and a new breed of Officially Sanctioned Heroes and with the new beacon that was Yuuei Academy, hundreds, if not thousands, of his Brothers and Sisters were flocking to the nation set on the idea of becoming the next shining star of Order and Justice. A pathetic and almost inexcusable waste of their Superiority. Something Jean-Luc was all too happy to help them with. One way or another he would enlighten them, as he had done countless times over the past decade and a half. 

Sighing quietly to himself, Jean-Luc stared off into the horizon for a short moment longer before turning about-face, heading towards the Bridge. If he left matters to Savage, he had no doubt that the man would simply ram their stolen vessel into the docks "For the Lols" as he would no doubt put it. Discretion was needed for the time being, hence Jean-Luc's presence was required to halt such a foolhardy approach. 

Their first port of call was to be Kagoshima, though it was not Jean-Luc's first, or even 8th choice. He had at first plotted their course from Busan to the coastal city of Kitakyushu, it being a rather direct and efficient route and ultimately closer to Tokyo in the grand scheme of things. That was until Savage had nearly kicked the bulkhead off it's significant hinges, barging onto the bridge with a mobile phone in one hand, and a large bottle of alcohol in the other. He had demanded, vehemently, that the Vagabonds must make first landfall at Kagoshima. It took much exasperated questioning to discover that the only reason for such a decision was, and let it be quoted:

"There's a fucking Volcano there."

Jean-Luc's gaze bored into Savage, a look that the taller man had been on the receiving end an uncountable amount of times before in the past. The Frenchman was well acquainted with his partners insurmountable stubbornness and had long since learned that it was useless to argue with him and to just accept his decisions. He took in other peoples opinions all the time, especially Jean-Luc's, but when it came to childish matters like this, at least in Jean's mind, there would be no swaying him. As such, with a slight gesture the routing calculations he had been working on became an eviscerated cloud of paper and were ejected, with significant speed, through an open window and into the night.

"Well then, we can't miss that can we?" he said, his tone poised with only the barest hint of defeat.

Their arrival was a most uneventful affair, a stark contrast to their departure in Busan. Jean-Luc had found sufficient location in which they lie low with Eduardo's assistance, while Savage took it upon himself to to find them transportation to see them through to Tokyo proper. He arrived back later in the day, carrying with him what for all intents and purposes looked much the same as a human sized plucked chicken. Upon closer examination, the new arrival sported features more reminiscent of flight capable bird, though with heavily exaggerated comic proportions. Jean-Luc's mind immediately moved to certain modes of thinking. How difficult would it be to isolate the Avian mutations, without also expressing such comedic proportions? Is such a body capable of flight in the first place?

As if noticing his friends analytical gaze Savage spoke up. 

"We're bringing this one along, no experiments this time Jean. Until he says otherwise." he said, a smirk on his lips.

He knew Jean-Luc too well. Though 16 years of almost constant battle side by side would do that to a person. Whilst he was at first disappointed, Jean-Luc accepted the statement, there would be plenty of time for samples later. After a quick application of medical aid, though not much was required, The Vagabonds and the new tag along were ushered outside by Savage, intent on getting the show on the road. The sight that they were presented with caused Jean-Luc to freeze, his tentacles quivering in rage. Savage had had an entire city to pick from, likely tens of thousands of motorized vehicles were at his disposal and he had chosen a mini-van. A Fucking Mini-Van! His yellow eyes darted towards Savage, glaring a metaphysical hole in the man's face. He was met by a sly smirk. He had chosen the vehicle on purpose, Jean-Luc just knew it without another question.

"Come on, it'll be fun." said the large man, opening the sliding door on the van and gesturing for Jean-Luc to climb aboard. 

"Absolutely not! This is where I draw the line. I will not degrade myself any further by-"

---

Jean-Luc had passed the time spent in the Hellish Contraption by reading up as much as he could on the Japanese language, not doubt he would require the skill of fluent speech before long. He found it somewhat simpler to understand than Korean, though he supposed close to a week of nonstop study would do that. His Korean had been more than a little rusty by the time the arrived in Busan two weeks prior. He felt that their stay here in Japan would likely extend far longer than Ryung's homeland and was preparing for such an event. 

He was immersed in his studies, not really paying a great deal of attention to the bickering going on around him, that is until the van took a sharp swerve to one side. On reflex Jean-Luc's eyes snapped up, a four fingered hand already outstretched and faintly glowing with purple psionic energy. The steering wheel of the van mimicked it briefly, turning with Jean-Luc's hand to right the vehicle once more on the road before Eduardo regained control after seemingly dropping his latest pet. Rosita wasn't it? Jean-Luc wasn't too sure, he found it redundant to make much note of the names Eduardo endowed to his creations, they never tended to stick around long enough for it to matter. 

"If I die in a Mini-Van Eduardo Sapo, I will not be pleased." he said, his tone icy.

His gaze was drawn to the sight ahead of them, through the dirty windshield. Tokyo city loomed ahead of them. Finally, he could be rid of the bloody van. He had spent no small amount of time imagining the wide variety of things he was planning to do to the infernal machine after they were done with it, so the idea of their journey being nearly at an end lightened his mood somewhat. He turned slightly in his seat, looking back at his partner. 

"First order of business will be the same as always I suppose?" he asked. 

  With all of the research Jean-Luc had done on Tokyo and the current Socio-Political climate he had to ponder Savage's earlier words. Would Tokyo survive The Vagabonds? He was sure Savage was going to enjoy himself very much here, and that usually didn't bode well for anyone. Well, other than construction companies.