29 Chapter 28: Coordinated efforts

Returning from his first day at school Conan finds Ai smirking at him asking him. ''It is great isn't it?''

-Great?! GREAT?! Do you like having your beliefs turned upside down?!- He thinks remaining silent and ignoring the annoying girl while walking up the driveway to the mention. Ass they are walking up to the entrance they find Erin already there, helping Emanuel unloaded fresh vegetables.

''Hi Erin, Emanuel.'' Greets Conan his lover and employee.

Seeing Conan then Italian smiles a bright greeting. ''Ah, you are back senior Casanova. Care for a Panzanella and Risotto for lunch?''

''I would love to.'' Says Conan, remembering the taste of classic Italian food.

Just as they all are about to enter the mansion, Ran together with a still shaken Sonoko arrives. Seeing Ran take care of her friend, by depositing Sonoko in the guest room to sleep, everyone has a question mark on their faces.

''Sweetie what happened to Sonoko. Isn't she normally all bubbly and happy? What is going on?'' Asks Erin her daughter as Ran is coming downstairs.

Looking at all the people questioning her, Ran states. ''I guess I have to talk to you guys about that...''

Shortly after all Conan's current harem members meet up in the library, while Emanuel is preparing dinner. Looking around, Conan can clearly see that all three women have something to say, but are unsure how to break the ice.

Taking charge, breaking the ice he announces. ''There will be a school trip to the 'Nintendo Convention' in two weeks. Ai and I will have to attend it. Is there anything else that someone wants to announce?...'' Looking at running he asks. ''... Ran?''

''I don't really know if I am allowed to tell all of you this...'' Ran says still hesitating if she is supposed to tell her family Sonokos secrets or no. Thinking that Sonoko will need all their help, she decides to tell the rest.

Listening to Rans retelling of Sonokos fall from graze, all three women feel their hearts bleed for the poor girl. The strongest reaction of all shows Erin. As a mother herself, she always feard for Ran to get involved with people like the one that violated Sonoko. Hearing what happened to the girl, infuriates and shocks her greatly.

''... An now they are auctioning off an 'Impregnation Session' with her...'' Explains Ran, in the neutral voice of a news anchor before becoming emotional by saying. ''... I want to help her. I vote for Sonoko to join this family.''

''I agree!'' States Erin, proud of her daughter to not abandon a friend in need.

''Veto!...'' States Ai, shocking everyone with her cold, calculated and heartless declaration. ''... I get it, I am all for helping the girl. After what happened to her we wouldn't be human if we would abandon her, but I don't see her as mentally stable enough to become one of us.''

''You are aware that without your vote agreeing the will not join my harem?'' Asks Conan, feeling torn between both arguments.

Showing a neutral face, Ai nods. Seeing the girl/woman signaling that she knows, Ran gets pissed for Sonokos sake. ''What are you implying? Are we supposed to allow her to get raped and impregnated by one of these men? I have you know she isn't taking her birth control pills for a week now!''

''I am not saying that. I am just saying that we shouldn't lead crazy become part of all our lives...'' Explains Ai before getting interrupted by Conan.

Getting pretty annoyed about the women bickering he looks at Ai while saying. ''Ai with your vote against Sonoko, she will not join our little family...'' Looking at Ran. ''... But that doesn't mean we can't help her. What are the specifics about this 'Impregnation Session' deal?''

Blushing, but accepting Conan's words Ran says. ''She is supposed to have sex on camera until a pregnancy test, also taken on camera is positive.''

''Is there anything you could do without me having to impregnate the girl?'' Asks Conan looking at Ai.

Thinking for a moment Ai explains. ''I guess I can. In the files, there was this one drug, APTX 4882. It was researched but never got actually developed by the organization. It is supposed to give the user the ability of full body control. I guess Sonoko could take it, have unprotected sex, prevent herself from getting pregnant and regulate her hormones to show a positive.''

''That sounds good. I am all for Sonoko getting this APTX 4882...'' Says Erin, finding all nod in agreement before returning to look at Ai. ''... Anything else? Any new developments in your research in Conan's power?''

Seeing a glint of happiness, Erin knows that the scientists in Ai are eager to share her findings. A second later spills the beans willingly and with a smiling face. ''Oh, I made great progress. I can now confirm, that Conan has no mutation what so ever...''

''Wait a minute didn't you say that a mutation is what gives one power?'' Asks Erin, seeing Ran sulk.

''That's what I always thought, too. But now looking at Conan's test results I can safely say that this is not the case for him. An MRI showed that he has currently unlocked 15-20% of his brain capability and these numbers are rising by the day. In other words, his brain is developing in an unprecedented way.''

''Can anyone of us get this power, too?'' Asks Ran, still angry at Ai for not wanting Sonoko to join, but eager to get Conan's power.

Frowning at Ran, Ai says. ''Theoretically, yes. As long as you give me another week or two I am sure I can come up with APTX 5001.''

''Great! I want the first one!'' Says Ran, less angry.

''Don't even think about it...'' States Erin, forbidding Ran to take the drug. ''... or do you want to end up like Conan. Unable to control your powers and become a constant threat to society?''

''Jesus, thanks Eri for your kind words...'' Scolds Conan her, before asking Ai. ''... but if it's true. These powers are really too powerful. Without the cube, I am sure to have flattened the estate by now.''

Thinking about it Ai suddenly declares. ''I am sure that wouldn't happen with the users of APTX 5001. It would just be a weakened version of Conan's abilities. No constant growth and no instability.''

Feeling a headache coming, Conan stops the woman from further bickering and states. ''I have used 3/4 of our remaining funds and invested them in businesses I am suspecting to be part of the organization.''

That said only the silence of the woman shocked faces remains. Mouths opened wide, Erin is the first to awaken from her shock.

''What do you think you are doing?!''

''I am doing what is necessary. Do you guys really think an organization like theirs is easy destroyed? That one crucial piece of evidence exists that magically pulls them into the light and forces the state to smite them from the face of the earth?'' Conan a bit pissed by the lack of understanding his own lovers are showing him.

Trying to follow his train of thought Ai asks. ''What is your strategy?''

''I want the organization in the palm of my hand and dancing to my tune. After achieving that I can begin dismantling it from the inside...'' Conan tries to explain. ''... I also would guess, that what happened to Sonoko is the organizations doing. Drugs and woman are the things that get one access to people in high places...''

Hearing drugs and woman, Erin is reminded of what Sato had told her about the drug and kidnapping cases piling up while being completely ignored by the police and the attorney's office.

So she interrupts Conan by saying. ''That would explain why the police and state don't care about drugs are flooding the streets and woman getting kidnapped. It's the organization!''

''Seems to fit their profile.'' Comments Ai, remembering the organization's other sources of income.

Stroking his imaginary beard Conan declares. ''Good, very good. I propose we coordinate our efforts and bring them down. Erin, you pursue the legal route and cooperate with the police. Ai, I hope you can work on this APTX 5001. It could become our best weapon against the organization's agents like Gin, Vodka or Vermouth. Ran I hope you can help me research more about Suzuki's financial downfall, preferably from Sonoko directly.''

''What will you do?'' Asks Ran, irritated by Conan's apparent lack of involvement.

''Now?! For now, I will have to buy Sonokos 'Impregnation Session' and create a blacklist for all the man that raped Sonoko to later hire assassins from the organization kill them all.'' Says Conan, looking very demonic. If these words had come from a grown man and not a child, they would only have sounded evil, malicious and sinister, but Conan's child appearance lets all that hear them and see him shudder in fear.