“Remember, a Geas will only last for a year, and I can only get him to keep specific agreements entered into before the spell,” Clíodhna said.
“Toshiko will list them out,” Kaede said.
“It will be best if we get him to make a broad agreement to not physically, emotionally, financially harm us and to change Kaede minimum interest, not to call in the loans, and work to hand him the crown,” Toshiko said.
Kaede stepped on Takahiro and said, “Grandfather, this is your last warning, if you even think of ever double-crossing me again, I will take a spoon to your lower abdomen and carve out your testicles, cut off your penis, and feed them to you. Clear?”
Takahiro laughed and said, “Now you sound like me.”
“What about Chou?” Toshiko asked.
“I will deal with her,” Clíodhna replied.
“Where is she?” Kaede asked.
“The others went to get her, but she locked herself in her cave,” Clíodhna replied.
“Tell Chou to take no action to stop me, and once I am Emperor, They can live together in the New Hashimoto Plaza, I will honour my agreement to make him CEO, and no harm will come to either of them,” Kaede said before he left.
Chapter 22
A week later, Kaede left his room and went down the hall to the music room. Inside, a female Field Elf sat at a piano patiently waiting. At 220 cm in height, she was tall for a Field Elf, with wide hips and large breasts. Her long hair was grey but coloured strawberry blonde. As usual, she wore a long pink corset dress with a small tiara.
“Prince Kaede, I know you are busy, but it is ten past nine,” Katerina said. She glared at him with her green eyes and said, “Why didn’t you call me to say you will be late?”
“I apologise, Czarina Petrov. I was on a conference call and the time display was the ship’s time, not my time,” Kaede said.
“That is no excuse for keeping a lady waiting. You can ask them to wait, put them on hold and call me to let me know if you will be late or if you want to reschedule the lesson,” Katerina said.
“Yes, Czarina Katerina,” Kaede said, he bowed slightly and said, “I apologise.”
Katerina patted the piano seat and said, “Come sit.” As Kaede sat, she asked, “I understand you have already learnt to play?”
“Yes, and I can read music,” Kaede said. “But I am only a beginner. I stopped playing the piano to learn to play other instruments.”
“I want you to play something.”
“Czarina, can we finish at ten?”
“No. The lesson is for one hour. Why?”
“I have a flying lesson with Sky Marshall Reinhart. I need to be at his home at 10:30; then, after I return, I am racing karts with my friends.”
“Call Sky Marshall Reinhart; be brief and polite, see what he says, then after you leave here, you can deal with the other appointments.”
Kaede nodded to her and said, “Yes, Czarina.”
Kaede stood and pulled his phone off his belt.
“Wait, if you like, I shall teleport you to his place, no doubt he was going to teleport you to the airfield?” Katerina asked.
“Yes, Czarina.”
“Sit, I will get you there on time.”
“Yes, Czarina.”
“Call me, Katarina.”
“Of course, Katarina,” Kaede said as he sat beside her. “Anything you would like me to play?”
“I see you have the music to Swan,” Katarina said.
“Yes, a beautiful composition,” Kaede said.
“Is that because I wrote it?” Katerina asked.
“I have all your music and ballet videos,” Kaede replied.
“You’re my usual fan,” Katerina said as she sorted through the sheet music.
Kaede started playing; Katerina stopped and put the sheet music away.
✽✽✽
In the dark dimension, Andre stood on the surface of Alcyone Proxima Three. Ash and Avi, armed with 7mm automatic rifles, stood behind him. Behind them, a shuttle rose into the dark.
The world was dark, everything pale grey, Andre lifted his quarterstaff and made a circle, and a portal appeared. He stepped through it and kept walking. Ash and Avi followed him, and the portal closed behind them.
They emerged in the industrial park north of New-Shanghai. In the distance, a massive office block with a large gold H on the top towered over the city. A ship hovered over the tower and lowered a huge red heart, with a gold K in the middle. Workers began to secure it to the centre of the H.
Not far away was the Hashimoto recycling centre. It dominated the park. In the middle of it was a massive iron dome with a large vent, constantly billowing steam. On the sign at the front gate was ‘Under new management’ with a red heart and a gold K on it. A line of trucks from Kaede Transport lined up to go in.
Andre walked down the street to an auto repair centre. Inside a group of Goblins worked on various cars, none looked up as the three Ogres walked past them to the stairs that led up to the office above the customer waiting room.
Inside the office, Bethany sat behind a desk, opposite her, stood Galen. He looked as Andre walked in.
Andre turned to Ash and Avi, “Wait outside.”
Galen snickered and said, “7mm automatics are useless, Imperials wear body armour.”
“They don’t stop a bullet from taking your head off,” Andre replied. He turned to Bethany and asked, “Why the mouth here?”
Bethany stood up and replied, “Andre, Galen is with a group called the Chosen. They are a group of individuals who want to destroy the Empire.”
“I have heard of them, an ineffective group of criminals and sore losers with no central command,” Andre said.
Galen took a step forward and said, “We’re patriots dedicated to over-throwing the Imperials and replacing them with a people’s committee, the people will decide all policies,” Galen said.
“Does he know who they really are?” Andre asked Bethany.
“What does he mean?” Galen asked Bethany.
“Galen is aware the Chosen are funded by the Dökkálfar,” Bethany replied.
“Since when do you work with the Ogres?” Galen asked.
“Andre is a special case,” Bethany replied.
“They tried to kill me,” Andre said.
Galen looked at Andre and said, “Looks like they succeeded.”
“Nah, a couple of old ladies did this to me,” Andre said.
“So, why am I here?” Galen asked.
“I need to know I can trust you, Andre is going to read your mind,” Bethany said.
“I can do that,” Andre said.
“What? You don’t trust me?” Galen asked.
Andre smiled, walked over to Galen, and replied, “I just met you, and I don’t trust you.”
“Fuck you,” Galen said.
“Shut up,” Bethany said.
Andre put his quarterstaff on Galen’s head. Galen felt cold and gasped; he noticed that Andre was not breathing. Andre was in his head, so many images flashed. Galen felt dizzy and passed out.
“Did you have to be so melodramatic?” Bethany asked.
As he placed Galen on a chair, Andre said, “Galen cannot be trusted.”
“What did you learn from him?” Bethany asked in reply, while she looked down at Galen.
“He is not a true believer. Like most Elves, he is a greedy opportunist who would not help others unless it helped him. His twin sister is a knight, and she often had sex with Hiro.”
“So?”
“Galen used to dress up as Galen to have sex with Hiro.”
“Interesting.”
“Not sure if Hiro knew, but he married Galené and Galen was so jealous. While Hiro and Galen were celebrating, he told Hiro it was him. Hiro raced off, got drunk, got arrested, and he left his wife waiting alone in the honeymoon suite. Galen both blames and hates himself. He still has feelings for Hiro,” Andre said in a cold voice.
“Wow, I didn’t know that,” Be
thany said. She was about to kick him, then knelt over him and asked, “What else is he hiding?”
“His sister blames him for Hiro leaving her,” Andre replied.
“I don’t care about that,” Bethany said.
“Galen used to be Hiro’s co-pilot. After Hiro was promoted, Galen started smuggling contraband.”
“I knew that.”
“Is that why you recruited him?” Andre asked.
“Yes,” Bethany replied as she looked over Galen’s face, she turned to Andre and asked, “Does he know about the superweapon?”
Andre shrugged. “I am aware you claim the Empire is sitting on more advanced weapons. But if they were, he doesn’t know where, but he has heard rumours the Empire recently tested a massive nuclear weapon.”
“Pity,” Bethany said.
They saw Galen stir and waited in silence. He sprung to his feet. He brushed himself off and said, “You could have given me a warning.”
“Why don’t the chosen work with the other races?” Andre asked.
“We need to liberate the people, not unite them against an invader,” Galen replied.
“What about the enemy of my enemy?” Andre asked.
“No, the goal of the liberation movement is not to take over the Empire. We only want to get information for us and to smuggle young Dökkálfar into the Empire. Galen if you want to be an officer in the movement, get used to the revolt being a charade,” Bethany said.
“Why?” Galen snapped.
“The Ljósálfar and Dökkálfar used to be one people before, and the last civil war did not go well for us,” Bethany said.
“Many know about you, but they all pretend you don’t exist,” Andre said.
“We like it that way,” Bethany replied. She turned to Galen and asked, “Since you have been inside the prince’s room, did you see the library?”
“They have a couple of libraries, including a huge one inside the vault,” Galen said.
“Tell me, did you see the book of secrets, a big black leather book with red runes on it?” Bethany asked.
Andre grunted, “No offence, but it is a myth.”
“What is it?” Galen asked.
“The secret of magic itself, the ability to become a living superweapon,” Bethany replied.
“You’re chasing shadows, if Takahiro had it, the Palace would be full of naked women and the Senate eating out of the palm of his hands,” Andre said.
“I agree with the corpse, but I must return to the base before anyone misses me. I have cargo to haul,” Galen said.
“Of course,” Bethany replied.
They waited for him to leave, Bethany asked, “What do you think?”
“Another useful idiot, but at least he is useful.”
“I have an army of idiots willing to do the job. What I want to know is, can Galen overcome his stupidity and get close to Hiro?”
“Speaking of stupidity, do you think stalking your husband is a good idea?”
Bethany snarled and said, “I should kill you. I brought you here to help me get hold of the Elves secrets, not to be my therapist.”
“The other two, are they your clones?”
“Careful what you say next,” Bethany snarled.
Andre bowed his head. “Galen still loves Hiro. I cannot tell you how Hiro will react. But Galen only wants to hurt Hiro and Hiro’s father. He will choose Hiro over you.”
“I will keep a close eye on him.”
“I think he should contact his sister, just in case the Imperials know Galen is working for you.”
“Good idea.”
“Can I ask you for a small favour?”
“What is it?” Bethany asked with a sly grin.
“Since you know, Galen will eventually betray you. When you are ready to dispose of him, I want him alive?”
“Why?”
“Like so many male Elves, he is useless as a man.”
“I thought you could not have sex?”
Andre glared at her and replied, “I will put him in a dress and give him to Avi and Ash as a present.”
With a sly smile, Bethany said, “If he is still alive, Ash and Avi can have their way with the worm.”
✽✽✽
Izanami saw a message in her inbox. Miss Izanami, you have done well. I am offering you a chance to do better, download the dark web application and contact Chosen two-one-seven.
✽✽✽
When Kaede stopped playing, Katerina clapped. Kaede stood and bowed.
“You are more than a beginner,” Katerina said.
“I try to practice as often as I can, but I don’t always get the time,” Kaede said.
“Did you learn my music to impress me?” Katerina asked.
Kaede looked her in the eye and replied, “I wanted to make a good impression. I want more than just music lessons.”
Katerina raised her eyebrows, blushed, and gasped. As she touched her hand to her chest, she asked, “You do?”
“When I came by your studio last week, I was early and saw you dancing,” Kaede said, “I knew then that my search was over.”
“Your search?”
“Yes, I need a coach for ‘Dance’. Before you say no, I know I am older than your regular students, but I really do love your music and would love to dance with you.”
“Are you bored with Yuki?”
“No. I will still dance with Yuki. But she is also my lawyer, and she is too busy to continue as my regular dance coach. I know you cannot help with Yosakoi, but she is available on Saturday morning for ‘Dancing in the Park’.”
“How often would you like to come to my studio?”
“I would love to have you every day. I am up early every morning; I can meet you at my dance studio. But I need you all day on Saturday, from dawn to midnight. We must be at the studio for Dance.”
Kaede asked, “Shall we use my studio instead of yours?”
Katerina glanced sideways at Kaede and replied, “But it is close to studio row.”
“I can set you up with a ballet studio and music studio. If you want one for fencing, I have space, and I have an indoor range bigger than yours.”
“Can I have a room, just to store some of my things in?”
“I can arrange a room for you in the upper tower.”
“What about my things?”
“Bring what you need. I have change rooms with lockers, and you can have a storage unit.”
“It is a long way to come every day.”
“You can have a bedroom and use my helicopter to go home.”
“Does it come with two parking spots and access to a pool?”
“I will give you access to my private parking area, pool, gym, steam room, and kitchen.”
“Deal.”
✽✽✽
Late at night, Kaede sat at his desk in his office with Izanami. The top of the desk was set to screen mode. Izanami loaded the dark web application; it opened a browser with only a few options. She selected the list of forums.
“There,” Kaede said, “Try that forum, The Resistance.”
“Why?”
“Just look.”
Izanami huffed and looked over the list of members and saw Chosen two-one-seven.
Izanami grumbled as she registered an anonymous identification and sent a message to ‘Chosen two-one-seven’.
Red Arrow: You sent me a message today to join. I want to do better.
After an hour, a message appeared.
Chosen two-one-seven: No names. Give me the hex code of my message to you.
After checking the message on her tablet, Izanami sent. Red Arrow: 138D5
Chosen two-one-seven: Don’t ask to meet. I have a friend in Freeport with access to technology. For ten million I can send you a long-range radio you might find interesting and helpful.
Izanami looked at Kaede and said, “I don’t know anyone in Freeport.”
“Send her to the Spider Queen.”
“Who is the Spider Queen?”
> “Flagship of a group of smugglers linked to Pharaoh Takis. Tell your friend to deliver the parcel to the Spider Queen, and if it looks valuable, Little Bubble-gum will reimburse them.”
While Izanami typed, Kaede sat back and relaxed.
Chapter 23
November 25, 11,573. New Moscow.
Sky Marshall Reinhart sat in the co-pilot’s seat of a two-seater training jet. A helicopter landed nearby, and Kaede got out of the co-pilot seat in a flight suit. Yuki sat at the controls.
As Kaede approached, Rudolf said to him, “You’re in the pilot seat today.”
“I don’t have a flight plan,” Kaede said.
“I have one ready for you. Read it before you sign it. Once you are ready, take it to the tower.”
“Thank-you Rudolf. Ready for a pre-flight check?”
“Kaede, you’re not the only one with a tight schedule, I filled the tank, perform the pre-flight check; we are ready to take off.”
“I appreciate you coming on your day off.”
“This is a classic trainer we use in Sky Force, your father trained in this very craft,” Rudolf lamented as he patted the craft, “I used to take my daughter flying in this plane.”
“Does she still fly?”
“Rarely,” Rudolf replied as he offered Kaede a clipboard.
“I will look over the flight plan in the tower,” Kaede said as he took the clipboard. Kaede took a pen out of the pocket of his flight suit and asked, “How long can we fly today?”
“We have a two-hour window.”
“Great,” Kaede said as he headed to the tower.
✽✽✽
On the edge of the field, a couple of sky-watchers sat with binoculars. They watch planes take off and land; They took pictures, which he posted on social media with time and location.
As Kaede took off, they tagged Kaede. A short time later in New-Marseille Bethany’s phone beeped.
✽✽✽
Takahiro sat on the throne, Clíodhna entered and bowed. “Thank you for seeing me.”
“You’re always welcome.”
“I am concerned about the war between the Space-Born Ogres and the Dökkálfar.”
“I am aware the Ogres have not made it public, and we don’t see a direct connection between the Space Born and the New Republic of Europa.”
Power Games Page 20
