Power Games

by David Applegate

  Each ship used tractor beams to align the vessel and close the gap between them. Once close, the rays held both ships a few metres apart from each other. One ship extended a ship to ship transfer tunnel to the main hatch, then another to the rear cargo hatch.

  Aboard the Night Owl Two, Hiro sat in his office. It was small, only enough room for three, maybe four if they all stood. He stood when Kaede entered the room and waited until he had closed the door and faced him.

  Hiro said, “Hello, son. It has been nearly two years. You’ve grown a lot.”

  “Hello, Father. How are you?” Kaede said, and he came around the desk and hugged Hiro.

  “Your security teams are more paranoid than the Inquisition.”

  “Many of them are former Inquisition. Sorry about all the secrecy, but you know how it is, every house keeps trying to send spies into my companies,” Kaede replied. Hiro nodded and sat. Kaede sat opposite him and asked, “How are you?”

  “Yes. I am well,” Hiro said, then he said, “Please sit.”

  “How did it go?” Kaede asked as he sat.

  “The new drive is amazing. We could not have completed the survey without incident if we did not have anti-gravity.”

  “I have an update to your orders. After we have finished the cargo transfer, you will return to Haven and deliver some of my engineers and cargo containers to the Stealth Division of Hashimoto Shipyards.”

  “What is the cargo?”

  “An intelligent 3D printer and a matter forge. The stealth shipyards will be the first to put them to use full time.”

  “What are they?”

  “The Matter Forge is a powerful replicator. It processes raw materials, recycles anything, and converts plasma into any material except exotic matter. The team will first print parts to make many more of them and construct an assembly plant for the new multi-role stealth fighter.”

  “Does Rudolf know you are building a stealth fighter?”

  “Yes, it is a joint project,” Kaede said.

  “Is that it?”

  “No, I need you to make many deliveries. I have written orders with the confirmation codes. After you have made your deliveries, you will bring the two fighters to the station Alcyone Proxima Nine.”

  “Written orders?”

  “Yes, we have classified your missions as Omega.”

  “Why here?”

  “We are testing a new early warning system designed to detect stealth ships, including my own.”

  “To combat your ships?”

  “No, we don’t know the Dökkálfar’s capabilities, and we must assume they have better stealth technology than mine.”

  “You don’t need stealth with a hyperdrive.”

  “That is why we will deploy early warning systems in hyperspace around the planet, but the lack of gravity distortions that would indicate the presence of a large dimension portal tells us the Dökkálfar are using stealth.”

  “Oh,” Hiro nodded. “That makes sense.”

  Kaede saw that Hiro had many pictures of him on his wall and said, “Soon I’ll have some interesting pictures from the bottom of the ocean.”

  “I read your last message twice, and I am still confused. Why did you build a submarine?”

  “We are testing the new micro-reactor.”

  “Aren’t there cheaper and safer ways to conduct a test?”

  “The submarine has a force field. It combines a deflector, with an energy shield. I assure you it is safe.”

  “That makes little sense. Why not just send the reactor into space?”

  “We have already done all the standard tests. It is more a demonstration for the Navy than a test.”

  “Well, speaking of force fields, the ones on the drones didn’t last as long as your engineers said they would. We only had one drone left to perform the last three tests. We lost it on its way back after the last test, but we confirmed the vortex is rich in antimatter.”

  “Yes, that was an expensive exercise, but we have successfully mapped the vortex, and you collected more samples from inside the vortex than we hoped for.”

  “Why did you use drones to collect antimatter?”

  “We needed them to collect as much data as they can. We knew we would lose some. But I am told we have the data that was needed.”

  “I hope you don’t bill me for your losses,” a concerned Hiro said.

  Kaede shook his head and said, “No, father, we got the data we needed. Besides Patya paid for half of the mission. He wants to develop an antimatter weapon.”

  Surprised, Hiro said, “I shouldn’t be surprised, but I am. Not about the weapon, but the fact you get others to pay.”

  “I know we need to make improvements, but we need to harvest natural antimatter, as it is too expensive to make and uses far more energy than we get back later. We are likely to focus on Dark Energy.”

  “I don’t remember any tests involving dark matter.”

  “That’s because we are still testing dark matter detectors.”

  “How will a smaller scanner work better?”

  “The scanner isn’t micro. A microgravity detector is like LIDAR, but instead of a laser, it uses a narrow-band ultra-wave. The image is sharp; the range is good. It can track vessels at light speed, and it can detect Dark Matter, but when it is in a thick cloud.”

  “Does that mean you have tested it?”

  “We have not finished testing, and we need to make dozens of improvements before we can mass-produce the next generation of starships.”

  “Oh, I almost forgot — congratulations to you and Izanami for winning Dance. You and Izanami looked great together. I noticed you blushed when she kissed you on the cheek.”

  “Thank-you. This year, the competition is high. Izanami and I are in the lead. We are taking additional dancing, singing and music lessons.”

  “That’s good. How are you and Izanami getting along?”

  “Good. Izanami has shares in three of my companies and has made her first billion. The dual-core processor is now the highest-selling processor in the Empire. She has shares in that, the robotics company, replicators, various fashion labels, and in my game company. She has made the most popular online game in the Empire.”

  “elf World?” a confused Hiro asked.

  “Yes, Izanami built it using the Hashimoto Game World. Izanami designed the characters. With the takeover, I will own the engine, and soon, we shall allow players to use our design programs to design mods.”

  “Mods?” Hiro asked. He felt lost.

  “They are game modification files. They add new content to the game.”

  Hiro shifted his position and asked, “Son, tell me the truth. How did my father react to the news that you’re now in the top 100?”

  “He is proud. I set a record as the youngest and fastest billionaire.”

  Puzzled, Hiro asked, “A billion?”

  “Well, I am close to a trillion. My wealth is growing much faster than my debt. I am on track to reach one trillion, after debt, within a year.”

  Hiro frowned and asked, “How?”

  “As I buy and rebrand Hashimoto Industries as Kaede Enterprises, sales increase.”

  Surprised, Hiro asked, “My father isn’t upset?”

  “He has never once complained to me. I asked him yesterday to sell me his software company to expand elf World, and he accepted my offer immediately.”

  “My father never told me. But in his last message, he said you had Izanami sleepover. What happened with Sora? Are you and Izanami serious? Do we need to talk about girls?”

  Kaede grinned and said, “Oh that. No. Izanami had lessons with Katerina. As for Sora, she is going to be my prime.”

  Hiro shook his head. “Freya told me the girls were fighting.”

  “Mako and Miko asked Sora if they can marry me together in the centre of the garden maze, but Izanami lost her temper with Sora because that is where she wanted to have her wedding.”

  “I know you like Izanami, but if she cann
ot control her temper, you may need to cut ties with her.”

  “I know Nami is... well… vocal, but she is important to me.”

  “Why did you pick Sora?”

  “Sora is a natural boss, and when she tells Nami to behave, most of the time she stops. Plus, Sora has Akiko to put Nami in a headlock.”

  “Son, I am concerned about you. I heard she lost her temper when Sora danced with you.”

  Kaede scratched his head. He pondered for a short time, then he gasped, and his ears dropped. He said, “Well, I take turns dancing with the girls, but Nami always wants to be first. Sora tossed her into the shower and turned on the cold water. Then Lady Toshiko came and took her away. She has to redo all her emotional control classes.”

  “Did you talk to Izanami?”

  “I don’t understand why she is jealous; it was Sora’s birthday, so I danced with her first. I tried to explain to Izanami, but she yelled, ‘I don’t get it’ before she ran off screaming.”

  Hiro put his hand on Kaede shoulder and said, “Girls are territorial. They don’t like to admit it, but once they lay claim to a male, they are going to fight amongst themselves to be your favourite. You need to make it clear Sora is the boss or your marriage to Izanami and Sora will not last. If you are weak and give into them, they will take you for everything and leave you.”

  “Yes, Grandfather used to be married, and she left. She took a fortune and all his consorts with her. That is why he supported marriage reform to protect a male’s assets and holdings. But, to this day, he refuses to get married.”

  “Are you and my father close?”

  “No. You might as well hear it from me. As we speak, your father is in Kaede Medical Centre in New Shanghai.”

  “Is my father unwell?”

  “No.”

  Hiro leant forward. “Son. Tell me the truth. If he is not unwell, what is he doing at a private clinic?”

  “He is helping me with one of my projects and is going to be there a while.”

  “Why him?”

  “Lady Emi designed new protocols for using transformation magic in medicine using a new material called goo and Kenta is testing them on him.”

  “Transformation? My father is one of the most powerful archmagi in the Empire. I have seen him stitch a large wound in his leg and make it disappear.”

  “Kenta is training Mako and Miko, he volunteered. They are making adjustments to muscles and other parts of his body.”

  Hiro gasped. “Who is looking after you?”

  “Patya and his wife are my guests. Katerina is on my ship, waiting for me.”

  “Who sits on the throne?”

  “I do.”

  “Who takes care of you?”

  “Don’t worry. I have Toshiko, Yuki, Hitomi, Freya, Sora, Akiko, Izanami and Nori. Oh, and Masako also works for me.”

  “I heard you had Nori over. I think you do not have much in common with him. Rumour is he sleeps in your room?”

  “Not much longer.”

  “Oh?”

  “Nori wants to be a girl.”

  Hiro was briefly stunned. He asked, “Is that why you like Nori?”

  “I know there are big differences between Nori and me. She likes fighting robot anime, and I prefer girls with big guns. But I like making fun toys, and she has fun playing with them, especially my new range of toy robots.”

  “Do you like Nori?”

  “Yes.”

  “Be honest. If you do not really like Nori, deep down, he will know, and your reputation will be damaged when she finds out you’re a fake.”

  “When I met Nori, I found him to be a shy and awkward boy, but the more time we spent together, I found her to be both kind and interesting. Nori and I both love karts and anime. Nori and I both like to make clothing. We are learning sewing and shoemaking. Nori wants to develop a range of waterproof clothing with padding and big pockets.”

  “You make clothing?”

  “Grandfather often told me to have a steady and stable income and to know as much as you can about that industry. He has trash. I have clothing.”

  “Son, if my father forces you to do anything you do not like, come live with me. You don’t have to pretend to like Nori.”

  “I am not pretending to like Nori. She is my friend. No one is making me like her.”

  “I am concerned my father is using you to soften up Viktor just to sell him more ships.”

  “Viktor is not an idiot; we had the same conversation. I showed him Nori’s activewear, and now Nori and I have a contract to provide the Navy with padded overalls and training clothing. Nori is going to be very rich soon.”

  “Son, Nori’s father, hates you. He tells everyone in the naval command centre you are using Nori.”

  “I know that.”

  “I fear my father is going to work with Shinji to ruin your reputation.”

  “Relax. I talked to my grandfather, and he agreed to no longer interfere with my life.”

  “You did?”

  “Yes, we came to an understanding. Soon I will be Emperor, and he will work for me. Viktor said he would handle Shinji.”

  Hiro, chuckled and asked, “What makes you think he will hand over the crown?”

  “He has ruled now for 10,000 years, and his list of enemies is just as long. So many, not just the whole Senate or most Lords, but the people are tired of him. I have the support from many, just the Senate, but in the House of Lords. My net wealth is not yet good enough to take the crown, but his days are numbered. I made it clear to him he cannot stop me from taking over.”

  Worried, Hiro asked, “Will you be interfering in my life?”

  “No. I do not need or want you to be my catspaw.”

  “What do you want?”

  “I want you to be my father. I know you made some mistakes and do not want to talk about them. Unlike your father, I will respect your privacy, and I will not use anything you have done against you. I want to give you the life you deserve.”

  “Are you telling me Admiral Niemi promoted me without pressure from you or my father?”

  “Viktor and I have a good working relationship, but I don’t pressure Viktor. He came to me and assured me he is promoting you to commander on merit. He knows you want to be an admiral; to do that, you need to command a fleet for a long time.”

  “Good.”

  “Relax, you deserve a promotion; so, accept it.”

  “I thought I would never see the day my father sells his precious stealth ships.”

  “Only because he is getting better ships from me. I understand it was hard to hand over your old ship.”

  Hiro nodded. Curious, he asked, “How did you get him to sell them?”

  “Grandfather wanted my stealth technology. I will only sell him completed ships. It took some convincing, but I vigorously persuaded Grandfather to pay me with his old ships, which I sold to Viktor.”

  “What about your debts?”

  “I am working on partnerships with everyone, including Dain. But as of now, I own sixty per cent of the Haven Shipyards, and I am fast reducing my debt.”

  “Sounds complicated, but it is an amazing achievement. Don’t worry about me and my old ship. I love my new ship, but it has a few things that need improvement.”

  “My engineers are eager to read your reports. I know the main computer is slow. We are developing a new processor to address speed issues. You will be the first ship to get it, well after mine.”

  “We also need new shields; we had a rough ride in the carbon cloud.”

  “Yes, we are working on new shields, but first, you will need more powerful reactors.”

  “We need better food. The apricot chicken tasted like honey chicken, which tasted like chicken curry. They all tasted the same as the rabbit in plum sauce.”

  “We are working to improve the food, but you know air pressure and humidity do affect the taste of food.”

  “Please, no more artificial food. Please send us some real food?”

 
“The last three shipments should have been real food. But I assure you, I will personally check the next shipment and make sure you get real food and make sure they are more than generous with the sauce.”

  “Good,” Hiro smiled and nodded.

  “Would you like to fly the prototype fighter?”

  “I will consider it.”

  “Do you remember when I asked why shuttles do not fly in an atmosphere?”

  “Vaguely.”

  “Well, I found out it’s because the atmosphere absorbs the energy from the ion engine and disperses it. We use this effect to make a secondary shield. We call it the deflector, and it slows down incoming projectiles and absorbs some energy from weapons like lasers.”

  “Wow, that sounds good.”

  “Yes, and I developed a gravity engine that works in an atmosphere. Since I cannot fly it, I hope you will. It is amazing. The exhaust is less than background radiation. We also have other engines. Soon we will begin to replace all liquid-fuel rockets and ion engines.”

  Hiro smiled and said, “Sounds great.”

  “I have many projects. After I test my submarine, I want to fly around the world in my new heavy-lift balloon.”

  “A balloon?” a curious Hiro asked.

  “It is to promote my ultra-fine particle filter. It will help reduce the pollution index from moderate to low. Current filters are only 10 microns. Mine can filter particles as small as 3 microns. Yaotl is so excited that he nominated me for an imperial prize in advance.”

  “Careful, when I was eighteen Yaotl offered me a drink, I woke up in the hospital.”

  “Yes, I heard that you swallowed the worm and woke up on a nude beach in New Rio with a tattoo of a red star on your behind.”

  Hiro blushed and asked, “What else have you heard?”

  “Sorry, I should not have repeated that. But I admire you for trying new things.”

  “Thanks, son, just let me tell you my stories when you’re older.”

  “I like the fact you used to box at a gentlemen’s club known as The Fight Club and used to go there every night with Galené. Was she your girlfriend?”

  Hiro sighed. “I broke Galené’s heart. My father found out that I married her. While celebrating, he had me arrested. I never had my marriage witnessed, and to this day, she and I remain friends, but we have never been together as husband and wife.”