Power Games

by David Applegate

  “Any side effects?” Mako asked.

  “Patients do experience lingering nausea from the use of Purge Death to detox them, and today the patient has reported light-headedness,” Kenta replied.

  “Cause?” Miko asked.

  “We will run tests, but it could be the sensations of youth. While most of the patient’s outward appearance remains that of an elf over 500, internally he is 18,” Kenta replied.

  “What happened to his scars?” Mako asked.

  “We place the patient in a coma, cut all scars out, and used the spell ‘Purge Death’ to get rid of any remaining dead cells, then filled the area with goo and cast ‘Heal’,” Kenta replied.

  “Including organs?” Mako asked.

  “No. Those we grew the cells for and printed them. I replaced the patient’s heart, lungs, liver and reproductive organs,” Kenta replied.

  “What about the brain?” Miko asked.

  “Only surface bruising. The patient is lucky; the brain will heal on its own. But to be sure, we will assist his natural healing with another I.V. with adult stem cells, after I cast purge death on him,” Kenta replied.

  “Did you use stem cells to repair his broken bones and torn cartilage?” Mako asked.

  “Only on the small injuries. We used the goo to rebuild Takahiro’s left arm, both knees, both elbows, right shoulder, nose, both ears and other parts,” Kenta replied.

  “Was the Emperor in an accident?” Miko asked as she looked over her tablet.

  Kenta replied, “Toshiko said he crashed one of Kaede’s karts.”

  Takahiro tried to sit up; He could only move his arms. Kenta put his hand on Takahiro’s chest and said, “Don’t move.”

  “Why can’t I move my legs?” Takahiro asked.

  “We used Paralysis,” Kenta replied.

  “Why?” Takahiro asked.

  “We don’t want you moving. You might tear the stitching inside and spoil my work,” Kenta replied.

  “What is goo?” Takahiro asked.

  “It is a compound made using nutrients and artificial cells,” Mako replied.

  “We are testing different formulas on you,” Miko replied.

  “What happened to my tattoos?” Takahiro asked.

  “Gone. After we replaced your heart and other organs, we replaced your skin with artificial skin,” Kenta replied.

  “My heart? Am I going to die?” a worried Takahiro asked.

  “I doubt you are going to die,” Kenta said. “Your new organs are an exact copy of your old ones; only they are not old.”

  “New organs? Why do I still feel old?” Takahiro asked.

  “Because you are old,” Kenta replied. “But your main organs, including your heart, are young and healthy.”

  “Where did you get them?” Takahiro asked.

  “We copied a batch of your stem cells and cells from each organ, then created artificial cells and printed them using a special 3D printer inside a nutrient vat,” Kenta replied.

  Distressed, Takahiro sobbed, “Artificial?”

  “father, I think he needs time with a Mind Witch,” Mako said.

  “Oh?” Kenta asked.

  “Racing his grandson’s karts, unable to process new information,” Miko started.

  “Add to that emotional distress over his near-death experience,” Mako finished.

  “Well, I admit, he could be more than a little jealous of Kaede,” Kenta said.

  “I don’t want a Mind Witch in my head,” Takahiro said.

  “Relax. Toshiko told us to cover up everything. She has replaced the kart and told everyone you volunteered for experiments at Kaede Medical,” Kenta said.

  Takahiro looked at Kenta, “Experiments?”

  “We are working on artificial blood, Witches Goo, artificial cells, cloning and copying cells, and artificial organs,” Kenta said. “You’re lucky Kaede had a Cauldron of Everlasting in his collection, Toshiko found you in a coma.”

  “In a coma?” Takahiro asked.

  “Yes, she immersed you in the oxygenated liquid inside a Cauldron of Everlasting,” Kenta said.

  “Why?” Takahiro asked.

  “A Cauldron of Everlasting can sustain a spell using mana stored within the device,” Kenta replied.

  “I mean, why was I put in one?” Takahiro asked.

  “For transport to New Shanghai,” Kenta replied.

  “Why didn’t he drown?” Mako asked. She interrupted Takahiro. Frustrated but unable to move, he glared at Kenta.

  “Toshiko attached the liquid breathing system used by deep-sea divers to the cauldron,” Kenta replied. Behind him, Mako took out a large needle, while Miko took a vial out of the medication cabinet.

  Takahiro’s eyes popped open, and he squealed “Liquid breathing?”

  Mako held Takahiro’s hand while Miko injected him via the intravenous drip line.

  “Relax, Toshiko fitted you with a breathing mask,” Kenta replied. “Besides, now you have new lungs. They are as clean as the day you were born.”

  As the sedative coursed through his veins, Takahiro relaxed and stared at the ceiling. He sighed and said, “At least I don’t remember the accident.”

  Kenta said, “Try to get some rest,” and escorted the girls out of the room and closed the door.

  “You girls didn’t see the accident?” Kenta asked.

  “No,” Mako replied.

  “We were in the Palace kitchens with the other girls,” Miko added.

  “I am sure his bruises came from a beating. If I was to guess, someone practised kendo strikes on him, and then many people beat him,” Kenta said, “Care to explain?”

  “Are you suggesting Kaede, Miko and myself broke his left arm and both knees with Kendo swords?” Mako asked.

  “Or that Sora, Akiko and Izanami took turns punching and kicking him while Toshiko watched?” Miko asked.

  Shocked, Kenta tried to smile and asked, “Many people will ask questions about his absence, and the Palace has many cameras. What if someone brags, or worse, Patya investigates?”

  “Toshiko told Patya about the accident and showed him the ruined kart,” Mako started,

  “I am sure he would prefer the official story than a wild conspiracy theory,” Miko replied.

  “No offence, but what if someone does talk?” Kenta asked.

  “I am sure you will make sure the medical records support Lady Toshiko’s official report,” Mako stated.

  “If Takahiro makes trouble, it is in your best interest to step in and hospitalise him on medical grounds,” Miko added.

  Kenta nodded and said, “I can do that.”

  “From now on, you will give us complete privacy,” Mako said as she removed his wand from his belt holder. “That includes Sora, Akiko and Izanami.”

  “You will stay in your room when Kaede comes over,” Miko said as she took his tablet off him.

  “I think he can have that one housemaid he thinks we don’t know about,” Mako said to Miko.

  “I am sure he will give us seats on the board and big offices in the Yoshiko building soon as we turn eighteen,” Miko said to Mako.

  Kenta looked down the hall, none of the security agents moved. All of them worked for Kaede Security. He knew this day would come. Despite his best efforts, they were aggressive and growing up fast. Kenta slowly bowed to Mako and Miko, “Mako and Miko, this may sound crazy, but I still love you as if you are my daughters.”

  They hugged him.

  “We love you,” Mako started.

  “father,” Miko finished.

  They gave him his wand and tablet back.

  ✽✽✽

  The tractor beam deposited the space elevator with a soft thud on the deck of a large ocean-going survey ship, anchored in a shallow lagoon. The coral atoll was part of the great reef, on the edge of the great trench, in the middle of the New-Pacific Ocean.

  In the distance, naval vessels from two fleets formed a parameter, with aircraft from the carriers patrolling the skies. In orbit, f
ive patrol boats from the Imperial Navy scanned the skies and surrounding space.

  “The DSV is connected to the underside of the hull,” Viktor told Kaede as they left the elevator.

  “Kaede, go wash, put on your dive suits and wait in the dive chamber with Nori, and Izanami,” Emi said, “As a Knight, I must board first and inspect the vehicle.”

  Viktor led Kaede, Patya, Dain, Abelle, Emi, Izanami and Nori inside.

  “Who will be driving the submarine?” Dain asked.

  “Kaede and Izanami will drive the vehicle, Nori will operate the sonar, Abelle and I will watch, but in case of trouble, we will use the emergency controls to either stop the descent or return us to the surface,” Emi replied.

  “When do we inspect the craft?” Patya asked.

  “While they get ready, I will give you and Dain a tour of the vehicle,” Viktor replied.

  “How deep are they going?” Dain asked.

  “To the bottom of the crevasse which is 10,912 metres down,” Viktor replied.

  “Has the communications link been tested?” Dain asked.

  “Yes, we have a real-time link, using ultra-waves, with the craft providing us with both audio and visual from internal and external cameras,” Viktor replied as they head inside the ship.

  “How?” Patya asked.

  “A purpose-built drone will follow them,” Viktor replied.

  “Given the depth, what are you using for a camera?” Dain asked.

  “The drone, like my boat, has purpose-built sensors that allow us to see all around us,” Kaede replied.

  “If you succeed, this will be an extraordinary achievement,” Dain said.

  “I know I cannot buy success, but I wouldn’t attempt it if Viktor told me it was too dangerous, I am confident we shall succeed today,” Kaede said.

  “What are the chances of success?” Patya asked.

  “Extremely high. The Navy has inspected the submarine; it can withstand a much greater pressure than those at the bottom of this ocean; the boat has a hull better than anything we have on or below water and even is tougher than some starships. I doubt anything can or will go wrong,” Viktor said.

  ✽✽✽

  In a luxury apartment, on a soft round sofa in a sunken floor, three rather tall, slender, buxom Field Elves sat. They were identical to each other, not only physically, but they wore the same pink skirt-suit, with a white silk blouse, white gloves with white and pink high heel slingback pumps.

  “What is he up to now?” Bethany asked.

  “Testing a submarine,” Stephanie replied.

  “A distraction?” Cassandra asked.

  “I didn’t see any reports about the space lift, and the spies have given us only vague details on the submarine.”

  “Do you think it is something else?”

  “Everything he touches turns to gold.”

  “His grandfather is pumping everything into making Kaede a success.”

  “Why?”

  “Our spy says his body is failing him.”

  “He is extremely wealthy; He would clone another body.”

  “Maybe that is why he disappeared; the submarine is to distract everyone from the Emperor taking time off to get a new body.”

  “Spies inside the Palace confirm the rumours that Kaede will take over from the old man.”

  “Takahiro is a power-hungry bastard. He loves that crown more than anything.”

  “Then, why make his grandson richer than him?”

  Bethany stood and asked, “Could Kaede be controlling him?” She looked at Stephanie and then Cassandra, they were perplexed and stared back at her. She sat and said, “I will celebrate the day the perverted old goat is out of office. But we cannot afford to be distracted. we need to push the Ogres out of the Dark Nebula and to do that we need to know how the Empire builds its most powerful nuclear warhead.”

  ✽✽✽

  Takahiro watched the screen over his bed, unable to move, a tube in his throat. He felt a tingling all over his body. All he could do was blink, twitch his nose, and wiggle his ears. Mako asked, “Does this hurt?” as she pricked Takahiro’s foot with a needle.

  Pain shot up his body. He rapidly blinked, and his ears shot out.

  “From now on, you will do as Kaede tells you,” Miko said.

  Reluctantly Takahiro blinked three times.

  “If you dare tell anyone what happened, we will know,” Miko said.

  Reluctantly Takahiro blinked three times.

  On-screen Kaede, followed by Izanami, Emi and Nori in wetsuits, entered the conning tower of a submarine.

  “You will tell Alard to extend Kaede another billion in credit,” Miko requested.

  Reluctantly Takahiro blinked three times.

  Mako turned the morphine drip up and smiled. She leaned over and said, “If you back out of the deal, the next accident you have will leave you paralysed, and you will be in our care for the rest of your life.”

  Takahiro glared at Mako.

  Miko flicked Takahiro’s nose and angrily demanded, “Blink three times if you get the message.” When he didn’t respond, Miko grabbed the needle from Mako and asked, “Do you want me to shove this needle up your nose?”

  Takahiro’s eyes bulged as sweat beaded on his forehead. His ears trembled. He blinked three times.

  Mako turned the morphine drip up a notch and smiled. “Good boy,” she said.

  Takahiro tried to relax. He felt nothing but was unable to sleep. All he wanted was to get to Chou. Chou will know what to do.

  Mako and Miko sat beside the bed and anxiously watched as Kaede’s submarine submerged. While Takahiro watched, he occasionally glanced over at Mako and Miko.

  Over an hour later, Kenta came in and said, “If you hear me blink three times.”

  Takahiro slowly blinked three times. Kenta smiled, checked the heart rate on the monitor, then took his stethoscope and listened to Takahiro’s lungs and heart.

  “Your vitals are good, but if anything goes wrong, the girls are here to take care of you,” Kenta said.

  Takahiro blinked and looked at the girls, Kenta smiled and turned his attention to the screen. Mako and Miko continued to watch the submarine descend, the depth counter increasing fast.

  “Amazing, his has gone deeper than any diving bell or submarine has been before, and still has not reached the bottom,” Kenta remarked.

  “We are worried,” Mako said.

  “They said the water pressure could crush the submarine in an instant,” Miko said.

  “Relax, it is all a show,” Kenta said.

  A worried Mako and Miko turned to Kenta. A concerned Mako said, “How can you say that?”

  “Our Kaede is in danger!” an alarmed Miko exclaimed.

  “Girls, he passed crush depth for a normal submarine hours ago. I am sure he is safe,” Kenta said.

  Mako stood and asked, “How can you be sure?”

  “Well, Viktor told me the Navy tested his boat many times at far greater pressures than the bottom of the ocean,” Kenta replied.

  Miko stood and said, “But that is just a test. No one has gone this far down before!”

  “Relax, Kaede said at the start that his boat is stronger, faster and safer than any submarine,” Kenta said.

  The girls shrieked and returned to anxiously watching the screen.

  Kenta smiled at Takahiro and said, “I think Viktor wouldn’t let his daughter and grandson go unless he took it for a spin to make sure it was safe.”

  Takahiro slowly blinked and tried to speak, but he had a swollen tongue, and could only mumble, “Help.”

  Kenta said to Mako and Miko, “Takahiro wants help to sit up to see better.”

  Mako and Miko glared at Takahiro, smiled and bowed to Kenta as he left.

  Mako took a pillow and held it up. Takahiro cried and closed his eyes.

  Miko took the remote and adjusted the bed while Mako put the second pillow under his head.

  Chapter 20

  “Is that th
e bottom?” Nori asked, looking over Kaede’s shoulder at the screen in front of him. On his display monitor were faint outlines of the crevice.

  “No, that is the forward sonar image of the valley wall,” Kaede replied.

  “Why are you looking at the valley wall?” Emi asked.

  “We are horizontal to the bottom and descending at maximum speed,” Izanami replied.

  “I was expecting pictures,” Emi said.

  “Nori, go to your terminal and activate the fisheye,” Kaede said.

  Nori turned and raced to the sonar station and looked at the switches. Emi came to watch, Nori said, “I got this.”

  Emi put her hand on Nori’s shoulder and said, “Relax sweetie, I just wanted to see the bottom.”

  Nori flipped a switch, and on the screen, the view below the craft appeared. “It is on.”

  “I cannot see anything,” Emi said.

  “We’re just over two thousand metres from the bottom,” Izanami said.

  “Pan the view, the fisheye cameras provide a 360 view,” Kaede said.

  “What is a fisheye camera?” Emi asked.

  “I have thirty-two cameras mounted around the outer hull; we can see all around us using one or more of the cameras,” Kaede replied.

  Emi looked as Nori moved the camera trek ball. She gasped as a giant squid appeared; it shot away from the submarine.

  Abelle came and looked at the screen. “How come the pressure does not crush the camera?”

  “The eye has a clear metal cover with an artificial vitreous body with a pressure equalisation system water-resistant to a thousand metres,” Izanami explained.

  “Wow, yet the images are so clear,” Abelle said.

  “That is because each eye has many micro LIDAR elements inside. Each element contains a penetrating water beam. The eye does not move; a powerful magnetic lens focuses each beam,” Kaede said.

  “Sounds more like a bug’s eye than a fish,” Nori said.

  “It has elements of both. But in addition to the Ultrahigh definition view, you can zoom up to a thousand times, select the wide-angle view or use one or more of the adjacent cameras to enhance the view,” Kaede said.

  Abelle came over to Kaede and pointed to a panel in front of him and asked, “At the press conference no one asked, but how does the force field protect the craft from the pressure?”

  “The force field has layers, the outer layer absorbs energy, the inner shield pushes back against the water, and the inner shield barrier. The system has a high refresh rate, which is why the submarine is powered by a dark energy reactor,” Kaede replied.