by James Ashman
Chapter 2
Relos stood at the entrance to the ballroom. At his sides were two guards, each in black and silver uniforms. Together they guarded the entrance to the room full of generals, nobility, and royalty. Inside, Alquin was enjoying the company of those he would rather avoid.
Alquin held his glass faithfully, never sipping too much, never getting a refill. He'd walk around for a moment, catch the eye of an important person, walk over, and then talk with them for a bit. It was all general, all part of the formality of the situation.
On one side of the great room sat the host, one of the great admirals of the empire. He sat in a massive chair adorned with silver and jade. Its unmoving majesty matched the solid presence that the admiral projected.
"Enjoying the festivities?"
"Yes," Alquin said. He turned to see who had asked. It was a general he knew by reputation and face only. "Thank you for asking, Rek Lund, sir."
"What a privilege! To think the rising star of the empire, the Alquin, knows my name. What an honor," Rek said. Keeping both hands at his side, he gave a deep bow.
Alquin took a moment before saying anything more. Rek was much more accomplished than Alquin, noble, and not much older. Alquin wasn't sure whether Rek was being sincere or not, considering their circumstances. Alquin knew that some in the upper ranks of the empire wouldn't like his rising power, but he was still unsure of who was opposed to him.
"I should imagine that the child of the emperor knows the name of Rek Lund. It's not impressive that I know it," Alquin said.
"Ah, well, the empire is my life. To see it last, I may have to take such an unbearable responsibility such as being known by others," Rek said. Alquin smiled, realizing that Rek didn't notice the insulting subtext to Alquin's words.
"How has the coalition been treating you?" Alquin asked. He was genuinely interested in what Rek had to say about the war.
"Bites and scratches. But I've been beating them back, bit by bit. The third moon on Ellis has been a bloody battleground. We're just as entrenched there as the dogs, but neither side is giving way. Well, mine won't. But still, it's terrible. Worst I've seen," Rek said. Alquin nodded in contemplation. His personal battles had mostly been in areas where no clear lines had been drawn, always fringe planets just inside the empire's territory.
The important generals were waging war on the front lines, planets where entire civilizations lived, and giant military installations. Still more were assigned to the relays responsible for allowing faster-than-light travel. Though he had contributed, indirectly, to saving a relay from falling into coalition hands near Tindal, Alquin hadn't yet had a great accomplishment. His several smaller accomplishments were all that were propelling him forward. Those, and the strategy he had shown on several occasions.
"I see," Alquin said. Rek gave a nod and a slight bow, and then left Alquin.
Alquin associated with a few more generals, though he was unable to speak with many of the nobles. The military men were far more willing to speak with another military member than those of the aristocracy were. As much as Alquin needed them, they didn't want him, and he wouldn't force the issue.
"Alquin! There you are! Come here, I've got to introduce you to a few associates of him," Jaces said, appearing at Alquin's side without prior notice. Before he could accept or reject, Jaces pulled him away from the generals.
"Jaces?" Alquin asked. Jaces answered quietly.
"I'm helping you. You'll want to remember the names and faces of these people. Some to like, some to dislike, but I'll only tell which afterwards. Get acquainted first, this is a step," Jaces said. Alquin didn't question further. Understanding that Jaces had made up his mind completely, Alquin readied himself.
Outside, Relos wandered the grounds. He had rotated with another guard, and so he had a chance to view the splendor of the estate. The admiral who owned it was one of the most decorated war heroes from long ago, making him very rich at the end of his career. The borders of the estate were miles apart, with all sorts of greenery, gardens, artificial lakes, and houses in-between.
Relos took in the view while following the weaving paths. He started on one side of the mansion, walked for a while, and then stopped when he reached the other side. This side of the mansion had a large pool just outside the ballroom's section. On the other side of the pool were forests that stretched for several miles, ending at the fence that kept the grand estate isolated from the rest of the world. Relos thought it was grand, but not deserved. A man that still couldn't end the war, treated lavishly. Relos knew it wasn't likely that the war would end soon, so he disregarded his momentary thought as something emotional and random. He didn't really believe it.
The night air was cool and smelled sweet. The green trees of the forest were a blessing to the soldier who had grown accustomed to industrial cities and the recycled air of spaceships. He took a deep breath, and then let it out.
"Alquin, yours will be better, I promise," Relos said. He took another breath and took a few steps on the path leading back to the front of the mansion. "The ruler's estate will look better. Your estate. You'll deserve it."
Relos walked again, but stopped after a few steps. A strange sound was in the air. At first Relos couldn't think of what it was, but then a memory from his childhood surfaced.
"A red ball?" Relos asked aloud. He turned to see several red balls bouncing out of the forest. They looked almost the same as the ones he had played with as a child. But they weren't the same bouncy items as then. Another memory surfaced, but this one was much more recent. It was from an encyclopedia on weapons.
The dozen red balls bounced into the pool and the surrounding area. One stopped by the back door of the ballroom. Relos hesitated for a moment, but he knew better than to stop for long. He turned and ran away from the area as fast as he could. While running, he took another deep breath.
"Bombs! There are bombs in the pool, run!" Relos' scream echoed in the distance, mocking his futile attempt at saving others. There was the sound of several explosions happening at once. Relos had still been too close. A shockwave hit him, knocking him down, and unconscious.
Miku looked over Yue Fei's shoulder at the report. Yue turned the page, not showing any concern that Miku was reading a secret report for Yue only. Yue scribbled something on the report.
"What if they respond with a false retreat?" Miku asked.
Without saying anything, Yue scribbled something else on the report. Miku smiled and kept reading. Yue turned another page. Then another.
"No response to the last one?" Miku asked.
"They wouldn't use it," Yue said.
"Would you?"
"I would, if near a planet. Otherwise, only with an extra two garrisons." Miku didn't say anything as pages flipped and more scribbles appeared. Eventually the final page turned, and then Yue put the papers down.
"You must be the last person I know who uses paper first." Yue looked up and smiled.
"It helps me keep organized."
"You? Organized? When?"
"In my head."
Miku laughed and walked to the front door. She took her coat off the rack and put it on, leaving Yue's coat alone on it.
"Are you ready to go now?" she asked. Yue stood up, put on his coat and shoes, and then nodded at Miku. They exited the house together, and then entered a waiting hovercar.
"An unfamiliar ceiling."
"Relos! Are you awake? Doctor! Doctor, come quick!"
"Where am I? I don't remember that ceiling."
Relos stared at the single square light. He thought it odd that the light was off, yet the room he was in was bright. It was as bright as daylight. That was it, he realized. He must be in a place where daylight could enter. But then what was the point of the light on the ceiling, he asked himself. A bright light, much brighter than the daylight, appeared in Relos' vision, causing him to close his eyes tightly.
"Relos? Can you hear me? I'm a doctor. Open your
eyes so I can check them."
Relos took a few seconds mulling over the word doctor. He opened his eyes in response to the word, though he hadn't grasped its meaning. The bright light returned, but he kept his eyes open this time.
"Can you follow the light?"
Relos obeyed, following the bright object left and right, even though it bothered him. Then he remembered the meaning of the word doctor. Relos closed his eyes again.
"Relos?" the doctor asked.
"A moment, doctor," Relos said. Hearing his own words shocked him. His voice wasn't normal. Gradually, he realized things one by one. The feel of a needle in his arm. The lack of clothes. The wrapping around his head. The thirst that scratched at his throat. He realized that he was in a hospital.
"Think, Relos, why are you here?" Relos asked aloud to himself. He held up a hand without thinking.
Alquin was about to open his mouth, but seeing Relos raise his hand in a stop motion kept Alquin from talking. He bit his lip for a moment, and then gradually relaxed into a satisfied smile.
As if responding, Relos smiled as well. His eyes slowly opened, and he turned his head to look at Alquin.
"You're safe, Alquin. Good. There was an explosion. A bombing at the admiral's house. Correct?" Relos asked.
"Your senses are back, Relos. Just worry about yourself," Alquin said.
"I'm fine now. That must be the feeling a computer has when it first boots up. I'm up and running now, though I need a drink. I may sound like a frog, but I've got enough senses to know I still look like a handsome prince," Relos said.
Alquin laughed long and hard. It seemed exaggerated to Relos, but the eventual tears that started streaming down Alquin's face reassured Relos that Alquin was serious.
"That's right, you lucky prince. Lady luck is still in love with your looks. And all she could bear to harm were the hairs on your head. And give you a concussion," Alquin said. Relos reached up and patted his head.
"You lie, my hair is still all there," Relos said.
"Ha! Survive an explosion, and all you can do after recovering is joke," Alquin said. He laughed again, and then gave a wide smile to Relos. "I'm glad you're all right."
"Thank you Alquin. I'm just glad you are as well. I'm relieved. Those explosions must have been stifled by the pool. I'm relieved that you weren't hurt," Relos said. He bowed his head slightly, almost unconsciously.
"No, that's not true. Nothing was stifled. I was lucky. And you were extremely lucky. But several others were not," Alquin said, his tone serious. He turned to look at the doctor for a moment. The doctor took the hint and left the room.
"What happened there?" Relos asked.
"Someone knew that gathering was happening. They attacked with those unique bombs, standard empire-issue version. By the time the confusion was over, whoever had sent them was long gone. They had been in the forests. A section of the fence miles away had been breached, but the security system was bypassed. Brilliantly, at that."
"Who did it?" Relos asked.
"That's still being investigated, so I'm told. The first thought was coalition spies. That will probably be the official announcement. It'll be a bad day when that happens though. The war will escalate."
"Bad day?"
"To answer earlier, the water in the pool didn't stifle any part of the explosions. Those bombs float. If anything, it served to keep them from bouncing in the wrong direction or leaving the area. Whoever attacked knew what they were doing. And they were out for blood. There were several deaths. Not one or two, several. The official count hasn't been released, but I'll never forget the sight. Relos, you really are lucky. Dozens were killed. At least. All that, that scene. I won't describe it."
"Alquin? Dozens? But, those people weren't normal. The guests that night were all important, right?"
"Extremely. Several generals, many of the retired admirals, and many, many nobles were killed. And, don't repeat this out loud, none of the victims were loyalists."
"What? What does that mean?"
"The host, that admiral is a figurehead in the loyalists. He never budged from his chair. The explosions were all on the opposite side of the hall. All the loyalists were near him, forming a group slightly separate from the rest. Just like school, niches were forming. And just like two north poles, they were pushing against each other. It just so happened that the loyalists were all on the side of the room unaffected by the explosions."
"An internal job? Do you think they set this up, purposely trying to kill off those they thought discontent?"
"I make no claims. It's just something I noticed. Coincidence, probably. It would have happened whether or not a bombing were to happen. It's just that the loyalists picked the lucky side of the room. I won't rule anything out. Not when it interferes with my plans this much."
"You weren't on that side of the room?"
"Restroom was on the other side. Just as I walked out it happened. Luck, for both of us."
"Unbelievable. But I don't think it could have been planned by the loyalists. Too many other people, unrelated to the loyalists and the discontent."
"I thought so at first as well. But when you delve into the profiles of those who were casualties, a striking number of coincidences appear. And you'll understand then, especially when certain people were eliminated, who benefits."
"Was it anyone you needed?"
"Several. Including Jaces," Alquin said. He showed more expression than he had prior. Before, he had been reporting facts and speculation. But Jaces was personal. Alquin closed his eyes tightly for a moment.
"Jaces? Blast. A fine man. And, blast. So unfulfilled. He died without seeing his Neville freed. Such a good man had to die without satisfaction in life. It's too cruel. It's too cruel, Alquin."
"He died with a smile, Relos. I needed him, but he was freed. Listen, Relos. Some caught in the explosion truly do appear to have been random casualties, though none were really strict loyalists. Including those who had stolen from Jaces. He was a brave man, to come to a place and help us even when it meant seeing those he hated. He lost an arm and a leg, but he lived long enough to speak a few last words to me. The noble who stole his Neville had come, and had died as well."
"Poetic justice?"
"I doubt it. It's common practice. Had he been in greater power, I'd think Jaces would ruin someone else's family. But he didn't rejoice over their deaths, though he hated them. He said only that he could be happy that Neville would be free. He was glad to pay with his own life for it."
"He should have lived longer," Relos said.
Alquin nodded, acknowledging the thoughts that Relos conveyed without speaking further. Though he hadn't known Jaces for long, Alquin had developed an interest in him. The first of the several people Alquin had talked to was also the most interesting. Alquin only wished that Jaces had been able to enjoy his life more. Maybe in death he would be rewarded with freedom. Alquin left the thoughts aside and returned his attention to Relos, who was going to be in the hospital for a while. He decided against telling Relos what plans were in the works, for now.
"You know I'm not comfortable around him," Yue said. He looked out the window as the landscape passed him by.
"You and a long line of other people. It'll be fine," Miku said. She faced Yue, though he was looking the other direction. There was a slight bump in the road, prompting Yue to turn slightly.
"Did I really have to come?”
"Yes. He really does like you. Mother did too. Why complain now that we're already on the road?" She didn't wait for Yue to reply. She slapped her hands on her thighs, and then she slapped them together. "Alright!"
Yue turned to face Miku again. Her hands were together, vertical. She had bowed her head and closed both eyes. She opened one eye and looked up at Yue.
"Yes, yes, you win," Yue said. He laughed lightly and then turned to look out the window again.
A while passed, after which the car stopped. Yue and Miku thanked the driver, took their
bags, and looked around at the new surroundings.
There was a distinct lack of paved roads. That was the first thing that Yue noticed, though he had been expecting the change. The one they had arrived from was one of the few that were apparent. A few power lines, reminiscent of years past, adorned a few places, though not many. Fields of rice could be seen, along with the workers in them. Bent over, barefoot, and in shallow water, the workers continued tending the rice.
The houses were wood, brick, and bamboo. A woman could be seen carrying a paper umbrella. A few small children kicked an old leather ball. A group of old men was sitting on some steps, smoking from handcrafted pipes.
"Come on Yue, no standing around," Miku said. She had already started walking. Yue took a moment to dissolve his interest in the ancient Asian atmosphere.
He and Miku walked through the small town, several of the residents waving at them as they did. Yue stood silently whenever Miku would stop to talk with one of them. He'd nod without word and smile softly whenever someone offered him a comment.
Eventually, after meeting with the butcher, baker, carpenter, and vegetable seller, the couple made their way to their true destination.
The single-story mansion of wood and paper was a majestic sight in its own way. The sliding doors and windows covered in paper looked fragile, but beautiful. Each one had a different painting on it, usually of black lines in a classic Japanese style.
Seeing the environment only reinforced what Yue already knew. He was in a place where he was completely out of the element. And the person he was to meet was at home and only comfortable in this ancient atmosphere, a relic of when the universe only knew of one important planet, Earth.
"Tadaima!" Miku yelled.
"Ojou-sama!" replied a loud voice from inside. After hearing the patter of steps, the door slid open to reveal an elderly woman dressed in a purple kimono. The obi she had was blue and tied with a golden thread.
"Ba-san! I'm home! How are you?" Miku asked while she dropped her bags and gave the woman a hug.
"Come in, come in! Let me prepare you tea and tell the master," the woman said.
"Thank you," Miku said. She took a step inside the house and removed her shoes.
"And this is?" the woman asked.
"Ah, this is Yue Fei. Remember him?" Miku asked.
"Fei-chan? So much taller," the woman said.
"Thank you, Ms. Yamada," Yue said. His right hand in the form of a first met the palm of his straightened left hand in front of him. Holding the gesture in front of him, he made a slight bow.
The woman held a sleeve to her mouth, hiding her small smile. But she had laughed, and Yue hadn't missed it. Yue felt confused, and looked at Miku, who was stifling a laugh.
"Aki, our bags," Miku said while smiling widely.
"Yes, Ojou-sama." Aki glanced at Yue again, her face bright and happy. She then took the bags and carried them off.
"What?" Yue asked.
"Japanese, not Chinese," Miku said. She laughed again, and then walked off in the direction Aki had gone.
"Japanese, not Chinese?" Yue asked aloud to himself. "You're Japanese. Not Chinese. Oh!"
After realizing his small mistake, Yue laughed, and then followed Miku. Aki led them to a room with a small table in the middle. Miku and Yue sat on cushions and crossed their legs. Aki left for a while, returning with tea, which she poured into three small cups.
"Master is coming," Aki said.
"Thank you, Ba-san. And don't forget, I want to hear all about Shinji and Nana. Oh, and also Akane, Ryoga, and Megumi. Oh, and the rest of them," Miku said.
"Yes, of course, I had planned it. I shall take my leave, Ojou-sama," Aki said. She bowed to Miku with her hands together on her thighs. She then turned to Yue and repeated the bow. A smile flicked across her face for a moment. She stood straight, brought her right first to her straight left hand in front of her, and gave a slight bow. She then turned and exited the room through a sliding door. Miku burst into laughter, while Yue felt his face flush with embarrassment.
"That wasn't so bad," Miku said.
"If that's how I do with Ms. Yamada, how will I avoid screwing up in front of your father?" Yue asked.
"Just be glad he doesn't require guests to sit formally. Cross-legged is bad enough. Now you know, though, what not to do," Miku said.
"I know, I know. I'll try not to use a Chinese greeting when meeting with a Japanese man. I had forgotten," Yue said.
"It's all right. Daddy will forgive your ignorance. You're not Japanese, anyways. And if he doesn't want to, I'll make him," Miku said, smiling.
"Daddy's girl," Yue said, teasingly.
"What did you call my daughter?" asked a deep and imposing voice. Yue's head turned towards the door, which slid open quickly and smoothly, revealing the imposing father.
He moved briskly, taking his place at the table before Yue could think. He was a middle-aged Japanese man with short, dark hair. He wore a loose green kimono, and his expression was flat. Yue felt the air change from a light atmosphere to an oppressive pressure.
"Oto-san, your daughter has returned," Miku said. She bowed her head slightly and kept it down.
"Welcome back," the man said. He crossed his arms and looked across the table at Yue.
Miku raised her head, and then sprung from her position with her hands out in front of her. In a moment, she had thrown herself around her father, giggling. Yue watched the event with uncertainty. But Miku's father didn't flinch in the least.
"You're Yue Fei," the man said.
"Yes," Yue said. He bowed his head slightly, and then returned the gaze that was penetrating him with unbearable intensity.
"Thank you for taking care of my daughter," the man said. The words rang strong and true. Yue thought for a moment, wondering what the man meant. Yue internally laughed at himself, as he had forgotten the nature of the person he was talking with.
"No, it was my duty. Miku-san is a good person and friend. I appreciate your thoughts," Yue said, hoping his etiquette was acceptable.
"Daddy, you're making him sweat," Miku said, still hugging her father.
"You're Yue Fei. Named after another famous figure. I respect what I know of him," the father said.
"My namesake was a far greater man that I shall ever be," Yue said.
The father nodded slowly, once. He took the cup in front of him, and then drank a bit of its contents. One hand on the cup, one underneath supporting it. Yue took his cup with two hands, one on each side. He raised it high, tipped it in a slight motion towards the father, and then brought it to his mouth. He took a long drink and emptied the cup, then held it out for the father to see that it was empty.
"Thank you," the father said. He sipped a bit of tea again. He placed his cup on the table, and then patted one of Miku's arms. She let go of him and returned to her seat. She glanced at Yue, a wide smile on her face. Across from Yue, the father stood up.
"Again, though we've met before. I am Tenraijin Genbu. I'm glad to see you and my Miku have stayed friends all these years," Genbu said. He bowed once deeply, and then stood straight. But there was something different about him when he rose. He had acquired a smile.
"Tenraijin?" Yue asked.
"Daddy's done scaring you now," Miku said. She was laughing a bit.
"What?" Yue asked.
"Lighten up!" Genbu spoke with a commanding voice with a smile that softened the impact of his words. Yue had to take a moment to absorb what was happening. Even then, he wasn't sure.
"He's only been pretending. Really, daddy is much more relaxed than you'd think, Fei," Miku said. Yue lost track of his thoughts when Miku called him by his first name. It wasn't often that she did, and she was using it in front of her father, of all times.
"Yes, Fei. Our little formalities are over. Miku tells me you're a bit stiff. You haven't made a smooth gesture yet," Genbu said.
"Tenraijin, sir, I'm not too sure," Yue said.
"Call me Genbu."
"I couldn't."
"I command it! Call me Genbu, Fei. Relax for a moment. You're caught up in the mood entirely," Genbu said.
"Then, Genbu," Yue said, finally getting into the mood that the scene had suddenly shifted to.
"Excellent! You'll make a fine commander if you can remember this. Not everything is as they first appear, and not everyone formal in appearance is formal in thought," Genbu said.
"But sir, Genbu, haven't you always been formal, from what I've seen?" Fei asked in a moment of casualness. He was surprised that he had said his real thoughts with such presumptuousness. He wouldn't have said them originally, if he knew that he was going to say and not just think them.
"Ha! Miku, what do you think?" Genbu asked.
"This is daddy, Fei. You didn't think I grew up to be like this when my father was so much different, did you?" Miku asked, a sly smile on her face.
"All these years?" Yue asked.
"Well, you were a kid back then. I didn't think much of it. Daddy's always been the obsidian Genbu. Hard, but sharp. Dark, but reflective. A staunch supporter of ancient ways, without being a slave to their restrictions. Surprised?" Miku asked.
"So the reason you forced me to come with you?" Yue asked.
"Something different entirely. But it's true. You were starting to remind me of daddy. But not his real character, just the one you remembered. The actor, that everyone else knew was acting but you," Miku said.
"You think I'm like that?" Yue asked. He didn't consider himself nearly as staunch or oppressive as the image he had of the previous Genbu.
"You are," Genbu said. All his words conveyed such conviction that Yue doubted his own thoughts.
"And don't tell me you weren't nervous to see daddy, thinking of him like that. You didn't know the truth, and didn't realize your own character was becoming rather close. Are you starting to get it?" Miku asked. She placed a hand on Yue's shoulder.
"So, relax? I'll think about it. What you've said. Genbu, sir, please, let me ask. Was that all an act for me?" Yue asked.
"No. Miku was wrong when she said I was pretending. Certainly, many times I appear in different ways. But that depends on the circumstances, and the understanding of those around me. Do you have such resoluteness of character that you could be both exceedingly happy and a serious businessman with a straight face?" Genbu asked.
"I'm unsure of the meaning of that," Yue said. He mulled it over for a moment, which the other two noticed. They gave him a moment to respond. "Strength can be both silent and expressive."
"That's a start. I'll teach you more tomorrow. Resoluteness doesn't mean denying emotion. Despair doesn't have to exist in you even in desperate circumstances. Learn to be happy, Yue Fei. Be brave enough to do that. It will serve to help you in the times to come," Genbu said.
"Thank you, Genbu."
"That sounds more like it! You've earned the right to use my name after all. Don't be afraid to speak it, as from now on we are friends," Genbu said. He held out his hand.
Yue laughed as he held out his hand. Together the men shook hands, their eyes each laughing at the irony conveyed. Yue thought about what the father-daughter combo were trying to teach him, and though he couldn't articulate what principle they were conveying, internally something told him that it was something he could look forward to. He knew his viewpoint and way of thinking would change, and it was a change he had wanted, just never consciously known.
The night continued with Yue and Genbu conversing about military strategy, for it turned out that Genbu was very aware of all sorts of war details. From time to time Yue would glance at Miku, realizing that she had communicated several bits of information to her father. But Yue didn't mind that Miku had revealed several items of military secrecy, especially considering Genbu's past. As Genbu was a former admiral and an apt strategist, his musings enlightened Yue Fei.
They ended their night on a good note, with Yue learning several things from seemingly random observations and comments Genbu made. At the end of the night Genbu retired first, assisted by Aki.
"Miku," Yue said when they were alone.
"Yes, Fei-chan?"
"Thank you. I'm glad I came."
"I know, Yue. I know. Now, you owe this Miku Tenraijin something."
"And whatever could that be, almighty Tenraijin-sama?" Yue asked with mock obedience.
"I'll decide that later. Goodnight, Fei."
"Goodnight, Miku."
