And just like that, it was over. The world knew about Hros-1, and the first Poseidon Cannon was heading to its new home in geostationary orbit.
Jason took Betsy by the hand. “I love you so much, and I won’t let anything happen to you or the girls. I promise.”
“I know you won’t, and I’m sorry for being so hard on you, but…” Betsy lowered her voice so the kids wouldn’t hear. “You’re the smartest man I know. But you have to let me in. You’re a man full of love, and yet, your biggest weakness is how you treat those closest to you. I just wish you approached me with the same seriousness you approach technology.”
“I know, and I will stop trying to protect you by keeping things from you. From here on out, I’ll tell you everything.”
Betsy’s perfect smile returned, for the first time in months.
They all watched the rocket arc through the darkness.
“So, you’re going to blow up the asteroid with that cannon?” Autumn asked.
“Yes, exactly,” Jason replied.
“What if you don’t?” Nina asked. “What if something goes wrong?”
“It won’t,” Betsy said. “Your father doesn’t make mistakes.”
“I don’t know about that,” Jason said, knowing his wife was being too generous for the sake of their children.
Betsy squeezed his hand while looking at the sky. It had taken the threat of the end of the world to bring them together again, and Jason was going to do everything humanly possible to ensure his wife was right.
There could be no room for error with Hros-1.
— 21 —
Midnight marked only five months left until Hros-1 would hit Earth. It also marked a deadly mission that would send Shadow Squad back into the field.
But before that, Akira was doing something he hadn’t done in years. He was having dinner with his brother’s family, and tonight it was at his small condo in Megacity Tokyo. A platter of tuna sashimi, squid salad, and prawns from the local market lay on the marble table where Akira often sat to write in the Warrior Codex and look over the golden skyline. Storm clouds passed over the glass and gold towers. Rain sloshed down the windows, and lightning sizzled over the horizon.
Akira lit the candles and waited.
At seven o’clock, the knock came. Kai and Lise stood in the hall. Behind them, Zachary stood a good six inches over Elan and Ronin, who looked up at Akira with curious eyes.
“Welcome,” Akira said. “Please, come in.”
“Damn. Nice crib, Uncle Akira,” Zachary said.
“Yes, sure is,” Lise said. “Absolutely beautiful.”
To many it seemed like the place was a luxury, but having this much space without anyone to share it with seemed pointless to Akira.
Kai stepped up to framed pictures, leaning down to look at one of his mom and dad twenty years ago on an island in the Philippines.
“I remember that weekend,” Kai said. “Mom was mad at you, Akira.”
“You sure she wasn’t mad at you?” Lise asked Kai.
He laughed and turned to his boys.
“Your uncle wasn’t always as stern as he is now. When we were kids, he was always getting into trouble.” Kai glanced at Zachary. “Kind of like some other boys I know.”
Gesturing, Akira said, “Come, let’s celebrate peace.”
He took them into the living room, where they gathered around the table. The three teenagers all stood stiffly, staring at Akira like he was a stranger.
“Relax,” Akira said. “My home is your home. Would you like the quick tour?” He started down the hallway. “This is pretty much it. Just my bedroom, bath, and study.”
He propped the door open, and Zachary stepped into his personal quarters. Lise and Kai remained in the hall, looking in. The room was furnished with a desk, an antique wooden chest with animal engravings in the smooth top, and a shrine.
“Is that Dad’s?” Kai asked.
Akira nodded and walked over to pull the samurai sword off the mount. He handed it to his brother. Although his face was bruised, Kai’s eyes seemed to light up as he held the sword in both hands.
“What’s this?” Zachary asked.
He reached out to the Warrior Codex, which lay on a silk leaf.
“Our family history,” Kai said. “Your uncle carries it into battle with him. Always has.”
“You carry a book into battle?” Zachary asked. “You don’t read it in the middle of combat, do—”
“Zachary,” Lise said.
“I’m serious,” Zachary said.
“I read it before, and then I write in it after,” Akira answered.
“Cool,” Ronin said. “Can I see—”
“Later, yes,” Akira replied, doing his best not to sound rude. “We should eat soon. I’m afraid I have somewhere I have to be in a few hours.”
Lise narrowed her eyes. “I thought the war was over.”
“It is, but my work isn’t done.”
Akira led the way out of the room and back into the dining room.
“Have a seat,” he said.
Kai took the seat across from Akira, with Lise and Ronin on one side and Elan and Zachary on the other.
“Help yourself,” Akira said.
He reached out for the platter of sashimi, handing it to Lise first. A bead of sweat crawled down his forehead. In battle, Akira had learned to shut off his emotions, but he was more nervous now than when facing the burning forest full of Dreads. His family felt foreign to him. He knew what they thought of him, that he was a flawless hero, but deep down, he was more flawed and scarred than anyone realized. Sure, he had medals, commendations, and respect, but he didn’t have a deep relationship with his family. He had sent them letters and money. Somehow, he had convinced himself that was the best he could do. But seated with them in person, sharing a meal, proved to him it was not.
“So what do you think of the city?” he asked.
“Beautiful,” Lise said.
“I love it,” Ronin said. He passed a bowl of rice and scooped out some squid.
Zachary was looking under the table, checking his Commpad.
“Uncle Akira, congratulations on your medal,” Ronin said. “That’s really cool you gave it to Lieutenant Rossi.”
“He deserved it.”
“Why?” Zachary asked.
“Lieutenant Rossi gave something for the Nova Alliance that he can’t get back, and that deserves commendation.”
“It does indeed,” Kai said. He let out a sigh. “So, what’s your opinion on the asteroid?”
“I’m confident AAS can stop it,” Akira replied. “I have to admit, Apeiron has proven to be an asset not only to my squad, but to the entire world.”
“Zachary,” Lise whispered.
Zachary looked up from his Commpad and picked up his chopsticks.
“I’m going to be gone for a few days, maybe longer, but when I get back, I’d like to take you all to Edo Castle,” Akira said.
“That would be amazing, Uncle Akira,” Ronin said. “I’ve been excited since we read your last letter.”
Akira realized this might be a chance to catch up on what he’d been missing all those years since that fateful battle outside Tokyo, when he thought it would be better for all if he separated from his family and devoted himself to fighting.
They finished dinner, and Akira took Kai outside on the balcony while Lise and the young men cleaned up. He pulled out a cigar that Ghost had given him, lit it, and took a puff.
“Amazing view you got, brother,” Kai said.
They looked out over the city, the blinking lights, the drones, and hovercars on the streets below. It had stopped raining, and a light breeze rustled their clothing.
“The war isn’t over for you, is it?” Kai asked.
“The world is still a dangerous place.”
“I know, the defeat of the Coalition won’t change things over night. Especially with Hros-1.”
<
br /> “That’s why I’d like your family to stay here, with me, until the asteroid is destroyed. It’s safer in the city.”
Kai shook his head.
“Wait,” Akira said. “Just think about it. All of these years, you’ve done what I never could. You have a family. We must protect them.”
“You’ve always done a lot for us, Akira.”
“Not nearly enough to repay you for all you’ve done for me and the family.” Akira faced his brother. “Please, Kai, stay here until it’s safe. It’s the least I can do.”
“I keep telling you that you don’t owe us anything, and you don’t need to feel guilt for the way things have been. You must remember what the Codex says about family. I can recall a couple things Father always told us.”
Akira took a puff of the cigar, and blew it toward the sky.
“Blood may run and spill in war, filling trenches, but the blood of family ties will always run deeper and truer,” Kai said.
“Our father also said when you ran out of allies, you can always count on your brother.”
Kai nodded and looked up to Akira.
“Twenty years ago, we were eye to eye,” he said. “But no more. Now I’m just a broken veteran, and you’re a glorified hero.”
“You’re not broken, and you are the hero. Just look at your beautiful family in the other room. In their eyes, and mine, you’re the hero. You’ve raised those boys better than I ever could’ve hoped.”
Kai nodded. “Thanks, Akira.”
They finished off the cigar, and Akira turned to look at the young men through the window.
“Do you mind if I talk to Zachary?” he asked.
Kai smiled. “Of course not. I’d be happy if you did.”
He opened the sliding door, but stopped.
“It’s never too late to plant a new seed,” Kai said. “You never know what the blossom will look like.”
He went inside and Akira turned to the skyline, thinking of his brother’s advice. A moment later, Zachary stepped out on the balcony.
“Hey, Uncle Akira,” he said.
Akira faced the young man, who he hardly knew, seeing the same fire burning in his dark eyes. Zachary was a Hayashi, there was no denying that.
For years, Akira had considered what he would say in this moment many times. Just like he considered what he would say to Ronin and Elan, but the words, the right words, evaded him.
Zachary stepped up to the railing. “Great view you got.”
“Yes, I’m very lucky.”
“You’ve worked hard for it.”
“Maybe, but sometimes I don’t know if it was the right choice.”
Zachary rotated toward him and raised a brow. “Right choice?”
“The life of an Engine is a life of solitude, and… I often wonder what it would have been had I refused the call.” The next words were difficult to conjure. Almost painful to say aloud. “If, perhaps, I had chosen to raise a family, and find love again.”
“Is that why you like that horse of yours and the wolfdog so much?”
Akira laughed. “Yes, I suppose so.”
Zachary was full of more introspection and careful thought than he let on.
“You are one of the most esteemed and respected warriors in the entire Nova Alliance,” Zachary said, growing serious. “You should feel nothing but pride for that. I hope it’s not weird for me to say this, but I for one, respect and love you.”
The words took Akira slightly off guard. He could not recall the last time anyone had said that since Yui.
“It’s not weird at all, Zachary,” Akira said. He placed a firm hand on Zachary’s shoulder. “I love you, too, and I do wish things would have been different.”
“Different how?”
He hesitated, unsure how to unload years of regret onto this young man, wondering if this was truly the best time to do so. “I wish I would have been around more for you all.”
“You’ve helped support us the best you can, Uncle Akira. We understand the life you lead as an Engine.” Zachary held his gaze, and then turned back to the view of Tokyo. “Someday, I’m going to have a place like this. After I pay for Elan’s surgery.” He paused, then added, “and of course, I’ve got to take care of my dad now.”
“That’s also what I wanted to talk to you about.”
Again Zachary looked at Akira.
“Your father is a proud man. Being discharged is not going to be easy for him.”
“I know,” Zachary said.
“You’re going to be the man of the household in some ways, whether your father can admit it or not.”
Zachary nodded.
“You’re also going to encounter fame unlike anything you’ve dreamed of as a Droid Raider. There will be so many distractions and opportunities, so many people asking for your attention, but you must remember what is most important, something that I have failed to do.”
A beat passed before Akira finished his thought.
“Family, Zachary. Family is the most important thing in the world, something that took me far too many years to realize,” he said. “I’ve asked your father to consider staying here for a while, in my apartment, until things calm down.”
“Really? That’s cool. I wouldn’t mind staying in the city until the next season starts, as long as I can train and work out.”
Akira squeezed Zachary’s shoulder, feeling something he hadn’t in a long time. A sense of joy brought on by the love of family. He would relish this chance to get to know the man that Zachary had become, while getting to know Ronin and Elan much better, too. His feeling of contentment was interrupted by an itch in his skull.
“Captain,” Apeiron said. “You are running late. You must depart for the base immediately.”
Akira pulled his hand off Zachary and gestured to the door. “Let’s continue this conversation again when I return.”
“I would like that very much,” Zachary said.
They went back inside to find the rest of the family sitting at the table.
“Got to go?” Kai asked.
Akira nodded. “I’m sorry, but I hope we’re able to have more nights and days like this.”
“Are you saying we can hang out in Tokyo with you for a while?” Ronin asked.
“You’re all welcome to stay here as long as you like.”
“Really? Cool!” Ronin said.
Elan smiled after reading his translator.
Lise gave Akira a hug, and Kai shook his hand.
“I’ll see you all soon,” Akira said.
“Be careful,” Kai said.
“Kick some ass, Uncle Akira,” Zachary called out.
Akira smiled and then left.
At an hour to midnight, he put on his fatigues and set off for Gold Base to see his other family. The squad was already waiting on the tarmac outside a troop transport, their polished armor and customized weapons shining in the moonlight. Okami wagged his tail as Akira approached.
But there was another figure with them tonight, a tall, wide-shouldered man who could only be War Commander Contos.
“War Commander,” Akira said. He crossed his arms in salute.
“Captain,” Contos said.
The Engines gathered around.
“Tonight, you will have the honor of capturing Doctor Cross,” Contos bellowed.
Akira felt his blood warm.
“We know where little dick Napoleon is?” Tadhg asked.
“NAI and Apeiron have tracked him to a dam at Lake Baikal in Siberia,” Contos said. He looked to Ghost. “I know you would like his head, as would I, but Apeiron wants him alive for research purposes.”
“Understood,” Ghost replied.
“Do this, and the Coalition is extinct.”
“Consider it done,” Akira said.
“I’m also here for another reason.” Contos looked to the sky. “As the asteroid approaches, you need to think about life after war. There co
mes a time in every warrior’s life to transition to something else.”
The War Commander redirected his gaze to the squad.
“I know this is difficult to hear, as I myself know nothing but fighting, and for some, post-war is the hardest part of being a warrior,” he said. “There are still enemies out there, and we should expect more attacks from insurgents and terrorists, but we should also be prepared for what we have all fought so hard to achieve. Peace.”
Akira had never prepared for this day. His life was and always had been war.
“Good luck and be careful. Doctor Cross should not be underestimated,” Contos said.
As they boarded the MOTH and took off, Akira contemplated the words of their War Commander.
“So what are we going to do when this is over?” Frost asked.
“I always thought I would see the world,” Perez said. “Places where I haven’t been shot at or killed people. Maybe you’d like to join?”
Frost smiled. “Maybe.”
“What about you, Captain?” Perez asked.
“I’d like to spend more time with my family,” he said.
“I’m going to drink all the beer I’ve missed out on,” Tadhg said. “Speaking of, I’m gonna take advantage of that as soon as we get little Napoleon’s head.”
Ghost chuckled quietly, but didn’t insert his own quip like he might have months ago.
The Lieutenant had changed dramatically since the ambush in the market. He had withdrawn from the squad, and spent more time in isolation during their down time. Akira had once done the same thing, a decade ago after the loss of his family.
He knew from experience that time would help Ghost heal, or at least make the mental pain less raw. All Akira could do as his squad leader, and friend, was to keep encouraging Ghost and be there for him, like Ghost had once been there for Akira.
“What about you, LT?” Tadhg asked. “You got plans for post-war life? Maybe join a choir or some shit?”
Ghost snorted. “I’ll figure it out when the time comes. For now, I just want to find the man who did this to me.”
“Doctor Cross is not going to go down without a fight,” Frost said.
“Yeah, and he’ll be well guarded,” Perez said.
“I won’t kill him, but when we catch him, he’s mine,” Ghost said.
E-Day Page 29
