Chapter 57 - The Secretary and Foreign Leadership

---3rd Person POV---

Once Itami's team arrived, all non-Umbrella personnel were checked out and admitted onto the ship in short order. After they were cleared Black Label interviewed all of the Umbrella staff, most of whom had overheard what was discussed. Realizing their dire situation, the people were more than willing to share anything they had to get on the ship. The Black Label team was taking pity on some Umbrella employees who were so low on the totem pole they didn't know what Umbrella Corp was really doing behind the scenes. For example, there were some office staff like janitors whom they let on with just a few questions. They understood that not everyone was accountable for Umbrella Corp's actions, holding a janitor accountable when all he did was clean offices didn't sit well with them.

Accepting most of the scientist and a few admins, the remaining people realized they weren't going to be allowed on the ship. Loading up the vehicles that the ship could safely hold, the remaining vehicles were handed over to the people that were barred from coming onboard. Most accepted their fate, and jumped in the vehicles to leave. They understood they had enabled this global destruction, and knew that if the dead didn't kill them the people on the ship would. A few executives, all of whom were women, attempted to use their bodies as offerings to have someone take them in. Trying to offer themselves to some of the young men on the ship, they were willing to be slaves if it meant having some safety.

As they were pleading their case to the young men Victor showed up. Casually approaching the group wiping the blood of himself, Maya and Saeko ran over to him before the executives could make a move. Taking his helmet off with a smirk on his face, he told them that the horde was dealt with. Noticing the increased number of military personnel on the ship and the increase in vehicles onboard, Victor asked Itami for an update.

Handing him some paperwork, Itami said everything he needed to know was in the paperwork before running on the ship. Rubbing his forehead Victor said that he would need to speak with Itami about his priorities as he assumed he was going to setup his figures.

---Victor POV---

"Well I can read over this later. It would appear that some of those that weren't allowed on are pleading their case to the young men?", I asked noticing the women pushing their chests out.

"That's about right.", Saya answered running over, "They are trying to offer themselves as sex slaves just to get onboard."

'They realize that any man that accepts that offer will be blacklisted by every woman on the ship, right?', I thought turning to Saeko, "Everything loaded up and people accounted for?"

"Yes, everything was inventoried.", Saya assured me pushing her glasses up, "Kyoko inventoried everything down to the last can of beans."

"Alright then it's time to get the heck out of here!", I chuckled walking back towards the ship with the three of them, "Alright people, let's get ready to move out!"

"Please wait!!", the few executives in our path pleaded shrieked, "We can can be of use to you. All of us know how to cook, we have contacts within Umbrella that can get you in places, and...we can service you in the bedroom.

"Ladies, he doesn't need your company.", Yuriko laughed standing next to Yuko, Yoko, Rika, and Shizuka who were smiling like they thought it was cute, "He has plenty of women to keep him company at night."

"They are right.", I advised, "I have a harem of beautiful women, you don't compare to them on their worst days. Anyways, Saeko what connections do they have that we could make use of?"

"They are executives from the Japan Branch, as far as we could tell they have been completely cut off from the company. They don't have much in the way of information on them, and we are taking a risk by assuming their contacts will help them...assuming they are alive.", Saeko answered looking at her notes.

"Please don't send us out there!!", the executives pleaded getting on their hands and knees, "We will do whatever you want!!"

Looking the women over with my system, I didn't see anything that necessarily piqued my interest. That said all of them had managed to get to their positions by not sleeping their way to the top. It was clear all of them had worked incredibly hard to make it this far. While they didn't have survival skills all of them did have administrative skills which would be handy to have. At the moment they weren't useful, but those skills would be valuable once we have an actual permanent base of operations.

"Midna, what do you think?", I asked telepathically.

"Honestly, I think you should take them. Those administrative skills will ease your workload when you make a physical base. They can have some of your work spread between them which will free you for more...personal matters.", Midna answered with a smirk, "As soon as your base is up, those mature women are going to be bugging you for children. Might as well make your life easier in the long run. Besides which, you can plow them if you ever get the urge too."

"I swear...", I sighed, "You realize that I don't fuck every woman I see, right? I am not some Young Master that snatches up every beauty that comes my way."

"Sure...", Midna laughed diving back into my shadow.

"Alright, the six of you can come on the ship assuming-"

"Victor!!", Saya shouted, "You aren't seriously considering accepting them into our-"

Pulling Saya and company aside, I explained my thought process. Stating that I would confirm with Red and White Queen that they were trustworthy, they would come with us as admin staff. Saying we could use their skills once a base is setup, I stated I could then focus more on our family.

"So you aren't adding them?", Saya asked.

"No, they are to lighten my load at our home base. Without their assistance I will be working long hours to keep things running. I can delegate areas of base operations to them freeing me to spend time with all of you.", I told them.

"I do like the sound of that.", Saya said.

"More time for training.", Maya stated.

"And he can take us on dates.", Saeko added with a wink.

Accepting my plan, we walked back over to the executives. Telling them that this wasn't for sexual purposes, I said they would be doing work under me and reporting progress to me. Nodding their heads the women were grateful for the opportunity. Getting onboard, I told Kyoko to get them situated and Yuriko to get them up to speed with things. Nodding their heads the two women escorted them to their rooms.

Taking a quick shower to rinse the blood, guts, and sweat off, I went to see Itami and the troops he brought back afterwards. Finding them camped out in the mess hall, they were all busy getting reacquainted and having a warm meal. Seeing me enter the room, Itami waved me over to have a seat with them.

"What's up?", I asked with a grin, "By the way, when you give me a report I expect a verbal one and a summary paper. You do realize I know when someone is fluffing their paperwork to make it look good."

"Some very important people want to speak with you...", Itami said dodging my verbal jab, "I had to prepare a room for them."

"Them?", I inquired with a confused look, "What do you mean them? A general and his family survive or something?"

"Meet the remaining Imperial Family.", Itami said motioning to three women and two men in Kimonos.

"Uh...I thought they were all caught in the nuclear explosion in Tokyo.", I replied examining them with my HUD, 'The Empress, her two daughters, her son, and her nephew. What a weird combination...'

"There is a nuclear fallout shelter under the Imperial Palace.", their maid told me as she approached, "From there we used a series of old tunnels to flee the city undetected. We are unsure if anyone else in the family survived. Aside from them we have six maids, two butlers, and about twelve guards."

"I take it the JSDF managed to save you?", I questioned looking at Itami and the man whom I assumed was the Base Commander.

"That is correct.", the maid replied with nod, "We were lucky enough to find them when we exited the tunnels. They saved us from a small horde of undead that ambushed us on the road."

"I am happy you all managed to get away in one piece. I assume you know that status and titles matter little not given the situation right?", I reminded her, "No country escaped this nightmare unscathed."

"We are aware, and came prepared with offerings.", the maid said motioning to the guards, "We prepared suitable offerings for safe passage."

Bringing two briefcases full of US currency to me, my face cramped up. Apparently some high society people weren't fully understanding the situation. Monetary payment was worthless in this apocalyptic world, there was no economy anymore...it was barter, cheat, steal, and loot now.

"Itami...", I sighed looking to him for help.

"Don't...I already tried and it didn't help.", he also sighed, "They don't understand when it comes from me."

"Do you find this unsatisfactory?", the maid asked with a nervous look.

"Ma'am...what good is paper money now? Do you still believe it's any good given the current state of things? Can I walk down to the pub to get a beer with it or even buy food?", I stated giving her examples, "Right now paper currency is useless to us, no one is going to accept it. If we get into a situation where we need to barter, they are going to want goods and supplies...not paper weights."

"I...I see...", she said as the realization clicked, "The usual methods for securing safe passage won't work now. As the Head Imperial Maid...I am willing to do what is needed for My Lady and her family."

"Listen, I am not going to kick you off because you can't pay. Obviously the maids and butlers have skill sets we can use to keep sanitation on the ship in good order. The bodyguards seem capable fighters so I have no issue with that...my only concern is the Imperial Family members. Can they do anything of use for survival?", I asked with a serious expression.

Sitting there in silence for a few minutes running through their skill sets, their face got paler and paler. Pouring me a cup of tea, rather eloquently I might add, they took their seats again with an apologetic look. Looking at Itami he informed me they did have some kendo and martial arts training, it was just it was for show more than defense.

"It's traditional for the Empress and Princesses to less physically intensive activities. There are many exceptions throughout history, but this generation...", the maid said with a pained look, "They can barely manage to pour tea right. As for the boys they are too young to have received training with any weapons."

"Itami...you know our policy.", I reminded him.

"Sir, they are the last remnants of our government.", he pleaded, "Besides, if you send them away they won't last a day out there. Major Togo said they were barely able to fight the slow undead at the beginning. Sending them out now will only ensure they have a very painful death."

"Ugh...", I groaned understanding his point, "Fine, they need to train just like everyone else so they can contribute. If they don't want to, I will throw them overboard myself."

"Understood.", the maid said in agreement, "So what do we do with the money?"

"Keep it, I doubt it will do anyone any good in the next few hundred years.", I told her honestly.

Nodding her head, she told the bodyguards to stow it away. Thanking them for tea, I turned around and almost got bulldozed over by a familiar face. Looking down I saw my father's secretary looking at me almost on the verge of tears. Snot was running down her face, and I just really wanted her to let go of me.

"Lucy...didn't you go with my father?", I questioned.

"No!! He sent me to Tokyo ahead of himself to setup for our meeting with the Prime Minister. I got a text saying he would be running late when those monsters started pouring into the streets.", she cried as she continued, "The Prime Minister left me for dead like your father did!! I had to run for my life till I ran into the JSDF team that took me to the base. If they didn't show up when they did I would be a skeleton in a back alley."

"Let me guess...you got lost when you ran away?", I sighed.

"It's not funny!!", she sobbed, "I was petrified and with my back against a literal wall!!"

Lucy somehow became my father's secretary when he first started out as an Ambassador. Much like Shizuka she was very accident prone, but also had a terrible sense of direction. The few times my father pushed being my escort on her she somehow ended up putting us in the middle of a dangerous situation. Thankfully though the times I slipped away with Saeko that trait helped me out a lot.

"I get it...please let me go.", I told her trying to pry her off me.

"No! No!! No!!!", she shouted, "I thought you abandoned me with him too!! We heard rumors that you didn't go with him, but I wasn't sure till I saw your crew here. I saw Saeko and asked her if you were here, she said you are the leader of the group!"

"That's right.", I said trying not to make a disgusted face as she rubbed her snot on my clean shirt, "Lucy, you can let me go now."

"Don't say that!!", she whimpered.

"Lucy, he said to please let him go.", Rei said pulling her away from me, "He just got out of the shower, and you are rubbing snot all over him."

"I am sorry!!", she cried wiping her face.

"Lucy, you need to calm down.", Saeko told her patting her head, "You aren't a child, you are almost thirty now."

Nodding her head she wiped her remaining tears away, and looked at me. Unlike the majority of the staff in my father's team, Lucy wasn't a fighter nor much of a negotiator. I honestly felt he kept her around to distract foreign dignitaries as she was young, curvy, and sweet. Somehow she had managed to avoid doing favors for politicians, unlike many other women like her. Giving her a once over with HUD she had a few debuffs, but then again she had them before this started.

'Bad luck, ditzy, and crybaby...such wonderful debuffs.', I thought with a disappointed look, 'I really hoped she'd have bucked up after all this.'

"Mister Victor...", she said shyly, "Are you thinking naughty things about me?"

"No...I am wondering how you managed to survive up till now. I know the JSDF helped you, but between that meeting and running into the JSDF you were alone.", I stated, "That had to have been a few days at least."

"That's mean!!", she complained, "I will have you know I was a track star at my college. During the day I kept running and at night I would hunker down with other survivors or by myself."

"That explains why you are so good at running away.", Saeko laughed.

"Miss Saeko, you used to be so kind to me!! Victor is having a bad influence on you!!", Lucy pouted.

"Oh he is doing more than that.", Rei snickered with smirk.

"I knew it!! All those times you snuck off was so you could...do that stuff only married couples should do!", Lucy said unable to say sex.

"It wasn't every time...though it was frequently.", I admitted, "I did take Saeko out on proper dates, same with the others."

"You were two timing her!!", Lucy shrieked.

"No, I knew about the others and was content to share him.", Saeko admitted, "We had some friction between all of us in the beginning, but that has since been resolved."

"Still though, your father...oh right, he turned out to be a shitty person.", Lucy stated, "I knew I shouldn't have applied for this job!!"

"Lucy, I took proper care of my lovers and have continued to do so since this started. They have never gone hungry, always had something to wear, and have always had me protecting them.", I told her, "Don't compare me to that man...he abandoned the only family he had left in his ambition to destroy this world."

"I didn't mean it like that...", she apologized, "I know you take really good care of them."

"Anyways I am happy you didn't follow my father, but I am sorry you had a rough time.", I stated.

"It's okay, I am really happy you didn't go with him. He's gone insane!", Lucy huffed.

"Insane is only a fraction of how bad he is.", I laughed, "Anyways I have to meet with my team to sift through things. Get something to eat and relax for now. Training starts tomorrow morning after breakfast.", I told her.

Walking out of the mess hall with Rei and Saeko, we went to the wheelhouse where we ran into Kyoko. Handing me a list of supplies the teams brought back, I quickly browsed over everything we added to the stockpiles.