Power Games

by David Applegate

  “I would like to see what you have,” Rudolf said.

  “Toshiko will arrange a tour of my Shanghai Labs,” Kaede said, “Bring your HALO Suit engineers and a couple of suits, I am sure that you will like what you see and you will want to work out a mutually beneficial deal.”

  Rudolf laughed and said, “You’re a smoother salesman and a cockier businessman than Takahiro.”

  Takahiro beside Hiro watched as Kaede and Rudolf chatted. He noticed Kaede had a mature adult voice already. He listened with genuine admiration as Kaede saw and grabbed a business opportunity, one he didn’t even see. He had forgotten how big the Sky Force was. Yes, Kaede is far more aggressive than me.

  “Well, I, for one, am excited about Kaede’s trip. I am sure he will circumnavigate the globe without a problem,” Takahiro said.

  “No one has been more excited than Yaotl and his group of fanatical environmentalists,” Rudolf said.

  “I am sure he would make you use balloons instead of jets if he could,” Kaede said, “But what he wants for now is to see what the filters collect. He has already offered to buy thousands of my balloons and load them with filtration units.”

  “Yes, but don’t forget Yaotl wants an exclusive licence to manufacture your filters,” Toshiko said behind Takahiro.

  “Not going to happen, Hashimoto Environment Services, followed by Niemi Air Conditioning, will be my largest customers. These are not just smog filters, they can be used in vacuum cleaners, co2 scrubbers, ram scoop dust filters, they are made using nano threads of strong materials,” Kaede said.

  “When Kaede was on the ship, I noticed he had his wand inside his sleeve,” Hiro interjected.

  “Hiro, I am sorry, I overreacted the other day. You forget that I let you have a wand at his age,” Takahiro said.

  Toshiko said, “Hiro. Kaede is going to need it in case anything happens to him.”

  Hiro gasped. “In case?”

  Toshiko replied, “Yes. Kaede and Izanami will be wearing a flight suit, with an air mask, and a parachute, but without a wand to slow descent, Rudolf’s rescue team may not get to them in time.”

  Hiro frowned and said, “I understand, but if this is that dangerous, I should call it off.”

  “Thousands of hours of testing have gone into making it look dangerous, including the wands, but it is all to advertise the new air filters, if it didn’t look dangerous, people would not pay much attention,” Toshiko said.

  The buggies entered a hanger and stopped at the far end of the building, near a security desk staffed by a pair of armed Sky Force personnel. Behind them was an elevator.

  Hiro sighed as he lined up behind Toshiko. One by one, they went through a body scanner and handed the guards their identification, who swiped each card, waited for confirmation on screen, and then returned the card. Hiro was the last one through. The doors opened.

  “All of you will stay in the guest officer’s quarters. It has a big screen, and we will provide you with a link to Kaede’s Sky Watch System. With it we can follow his balloon no matter where it goes,” Rudolf said as he entered the lift.

  “I see my father turned it into a global spy satellite system,” Hiro said to Toshiko as the elevator raced down.

  “Kaede did that on his own. He sells data to various agencies,” Toshiko replied.

  “I see,” Hiro replied.

  Takahiro put his hand on Hiro’s shoulder and said, “Relax son, if your son didn’t build it, someone would have.”

  “Until recently, Sky Force ran an expensive surveillance network. His system is better and cheaper,” Rudolf said to Hiro.

  “Rudolf is one of my best customers,” Kaede said with a proud smile.

  “My son increasing the abilities of the Empire to conduct unwarranted surveillance bothers me,” Hiro said with a frown.

  Kaede walked over to Hiro and said, “Relax father, Yaotl is my largest customer. He uses most of my data for weather prediction, fishery data, and watching for forest fires.”

  “You don’t need to read licence plates from orbit to do that,” Hiro said with a sour note.

  “But by having cameras that good, Ministry of the Environment can spot a forest fire or a hurricane as it forms,” Kaede said. He looked around the room.

  Toshiko said, “Hiro, every year Kaede’s so-called unwarranted surveillance, has given various agencies evidence to help track poachers, smugglers, and uncover many other illegal operations a ground patrol would miss driving on roads.”

  Izanami stepped forward and said, “My Kaede is a real hero; our spy satellites have saved the lives of many who might have died lost in the wilderness.”

  Hiro sighed and looked at Izanami. The elevator doors opened, and Toshiko pointed to a sign on the wall and said to Hiro, “Hiro, keep up, you don’t want to get lost, you are inside a top-secret base.”

  A sign on the wall said, “No entry without a sentry, intruders face investigation for espionage.”

  A pair of Sky Force guards escorted the group to living quarters.

  “May I know how far down we are?” a curious Hiro asked as they walked at a brisk pace down a long hall.

  “No,” Kaede sternly replied.

  Hiro looked about, the doors only had numbers on them and electronic locks instead of door handles. He asked, “What is this place?”

  “Rudolf’s private playground,” Kaede sternly replied.

  Everyone laughed, even the guards, who quickly composed themselves.

  Rudolf said, “I am sure Kaede knows, but this section of the base is classified Omega. This section is the New-Pacific Command for Sky Force. We also house personnel from the Army, Navy and other branches. Down here we have everything from factories to farms under the island. But all movement is restricted, do not leave your designated areas without a sentry.”

  “What about going to the toilet?” Sora asked.

  Rudolf chuckled and replied, “That’s fine, toilets and other facilities are within your zone.”

  “Including a salon?” Akiko asked.

  Rudolf stopped and glared at her.

  “Don’t mind her,” Toshiko said as she stepped between them. “When we visited the naval base in northern Terra Australis, they had a mall, complete with beauty salons.”

  “That’s because they are soft,” Rudolf said. He glanced at Hiro. “We file our nails with a metal rasp down here.”

  Takahiro chuckled. Rudolf turned and stared at the sentries. They resumed escorting them to living quarters. It had a large living room with a kitchen area, a lounge area with a large screen TV, toilets, two bathrooms, and a dozen bedrooms, each with four large bunks. A team of knights, including Emi, stood as they entered.

  ✽✽✽

  Kaede sat in his room, it was late, and most were asleep. Toshiko led Izanami in, she had her goggles on, which were attached to her tablet.

  “What’s up?” Kaede asked.

  “I got a message from Chosen two-one-seven,” Izanami replied.

  “The one who sold us the details on the Nāga’s fast FLT radio?” Toshiko asked.

  “Yes,” Izanami replied. “This time she has something big for us.”

  “What is it?” Toshiko asked.

  “She claims to have an advanced form of FTL,” Izanami replied.

  “You know what to do. Have the agent deliver the information to the Spider Queen in Freeport, and we will test it. If it is reliable, they will put the payment into her account with Alard and deliver the device to Toshiko,” Kaede said.

  “She wants one hundred and twenty million in the form of pure platinum bars,” Izanami replied.

  “She never asked for more than a few million for anything,” Kaede said.

  “Could it be a scam?” Izanami asked.

  “Well, so far, ‘Chosen two-one-seven’ has been a reliable informant,” Toshiko replied. “But it is possible.”

  “Is she online?” Kaede asked.

  “Yes,” Izanami replied.

  “Send her a messag
e, ask her for more details,” Kaede requested.

  Izanami put her goggles over her eyes and tapped the virtual keyboard.

  On her screen was a message box.

  Red Arrow: Need more details.

  Chosen two-one-seven: Do you mean the size of the crate or technical details?

  Red Arrow: Both.

  Chosen two-one-seven: Crate is nine segments and contains a tachyon conduit drive. It is an FTL drive and is seven times faster than your hyperdrive unit.

  Red Arrow: Please wait.

  Chosen two-one-seven: Hurry.

  “Wow,” Izanami said.

  “What is it?” Toshiko asked.

  “Chosen just said she has the unit. It is called a tachyon conduit and is seven times faster than a hyperdrive,” Izanami replied.

  “Get her to deliver the parcel to the Spider Queen. Payment will be waiting,” Kaede said.

  “Ok,” Izanami said.

  “Wait, we can bury up to ten million gold inside corporate expenses, but not one hundred and twenty,” Toshiko said.

  “Send Takis a large chunk of Lonsdaleite, tell him we will repay him using Lonsdaleite if he fronts the one twenty in platinum,” Kaede said.

  “Once he sees what is in the box, he will want a cut of that too,” Toshiko said.

  “Well, we cannot use the Green Dragons, they still leak to Takahiro,” Kaede said.

  “I suspect Lord Miyake,” Toshiko said.

  “We cannot act against the head of the Yakuza, not without proof, and the backing of many underbosses,” Kaede said.

  “Make sure you don’t give too much away to the other Senators,” Toshiko warned.

  “Is that a yes?” Izanami asked.

  “YES!” Kaede and Toshiko both said.

  “Gee, you don’t have to yell,” Izanami said.

  ✽✽✽

  Tabitha Nyx, a forty-seven-year-old Silver Elf with a large mane of grey hair with white streaks, with red eyes, smiled as she closed a chat box. She sat in an office attached to her bedroom in an apartment building on the eastern shore of the lake. She had a cute face, large breasts, jet black skin, and a good figure. She wore a white silk blouse with a dark purple skirt suit and high heels. The only jewellery was a thick silver wedding band on her wrist.

  Her phone rang. She pulled it out of her handbag and answered it, “Yes?”

  “Hello, Tabitha. How is the weather?” Bethany asked.

  Tabitha bit her lip. She sat up and replied, “Not to my liking, but safe.”

  “Are you at the Palace?”

  “No. I am on my way to New Guam to cover the launch of Kaede’s balloon.”

  Angry, Bethany said, “I told you to keep an eye on him.”

  “I am a reporter. I go where my producer sends me. I cannot chase the prince on my own all the time; I will lose my job.”

  Furious, Bethany said, “I need you in the Palace. Keep an eye on Kaede or I will find someone who will.”

  Tabitha sighed. “What am I looking for?”

  “How he got his hands on Dökkálfar technology.”

  “Yes, my Queen.”

  Fuck! Tabitha put her phone away and stared at her notebook computer. What does she expect? Is she watching me? Tabitha grabbed her computer and shoved it into her oversized handbag. Does she think I am the leak? I told her that everyone thinks Kaede’s research centre comes up with the technology.

  Tabitha went to her bedroom and left a small suitcase on wheels. Tabitha went to her bedroom and left a small suitcase on wheels. The unit had four bedrooms, two of which were empty. The door closed was the one to the main bedroom. She sighed.

  She walked down the hall and passed the living room. Inside the room, upon a sofa, sat a Silver Elf in his fifties playing video games on the big screen. He paused and removed his headphones.

  “Where are you going?” he asked.

  “I am off to New Guam for a few weeks.”

  “I am trying to hack the central hub of Kaede Network. I don’t have time to cook.”

  “Meals are in the refrigerator, and a cleaner comes twice a week.”

  “We’re out of marijuana, peanut butter and beer.”

  “Hack some,” Tabitha said with a chuckle as she opened the front door.

  “Whatever,” he grunted as she left.

  Tabitha closed the door with a bang. I hate you too.

  Chapter 31

  December 18, 11,573

  Kaede’s balloon, at an altitude of 42,000 metres, raced over the land. Kaede looked out the window of his balloon. Below he saw a massive rain forest and the New-Amazon river system.

  He went to the controls and turned up the heat. He pressed the microphone button.

  “Hello friends, it is the 6th day of my journey, and I am over Amazonia racing towards the coast. It is a beautiful day, and I am moving fast. I am 42,000 metres above sea level. In one hour, I will have set a record for the highest altitude for a passenger balloon.”

  Kaede saw a red light and removed his finger. He checked the controls; His heating gas levels were under twenty per cent. He checked the temperature controls; it was set to twenty-seven; he lowered it to twenty-one.

  In his earpiece, he heard Toshiko ask, “Are you all right?”

  “I am,” Kaede replied.

  Toshiko appeared on the screen. “I know you muted the alarms. That doesn’t stop me from knowing one went off.”

  “I am running out of gas for heating.”

  “Return to 20,000.”

  “I am close to a record.”

  “At this rate, you will be out of gas before you reach base.”

  “As soon as they confirm the record, I will come down.”

  “You need to do so sooner.”

  “How low do I need to set the temperature?”

  “I will get back to you.”

  ✽✽✽

  December 21, 11,573

  Kaede’s balloon, at an altitude of 3,600 metres, raced over the ocean. Kaede looked out the window of his balloon. Below he saw a pod of whales.

  He went to the controls and turned the camera in the cabin’s base to the whales and pressed the microphone button.

  “Hello friends, it is the 9th day of my journey around the planet. Below me is a pod of blue whales.”

  He zoomed in on them as he said, “I don’t want environmental issues to divide the people. I want it to unite us. Whether you live in a city, a town, or a traditional village, we all need clean air, clean water, and clean food. Those who live and work in space know the importance of a good filter.”

  Kaede noticed a message from Yaotl, “Keep up the good work.”

  Kaede wrapped a blanket around himself and sat at the controls. He looked at the wind patterns for different altitudes and the projected course on the map. He checked the cabin temperature; It was five degrees Celsius.

  In his earpiece, he heard Toshiko ask, “How are you?”

  “Freezing,” Kaede muttered.

  “Do you want to be rescued?”

  “How close is Nami?”

  “Closing in on you.”

  “Will she beat me?”

  “Are you saying if she passes you, you want to be rescued?”

  “Yes.”

  December 24, 11,573 New Guam Air Base.

  Kaede’s balloon, at an altitude of 3,600 metres, raced towards the island. Kaede watched the screens, one displayed wind patterns, the location of the island, and radar contacts. The other screen was a control panel. Izanami was a few kilometres behind him, with two large propeller-driven planes a few kilometres behind her.

  Kaede tapped the control screen, placed his thumb on the centre of the screen, and selected inflate. The balloon released gas and began to descend towards the airbase.

  Kaede faced the camera, “Hello friends, it is the 11th day, and I am near the end, and I thank all those who pledged support to have air filters installed in their homes, garages, on top of your buildings and the major corporations who pledged to make it happen
. My thanks to the Ministry of the Environment and Minster Chief Yaotl Belaúnde of South Amazonia, for supporting my clear air program, to Czar Patya Petrov of Central Hyperborea, Minister of Business, Finance and Economics. I have seen the comments, I am aware Czar Petrov is head of the Inquisition, and Petrov Oil is the largest oil company. But that is not why his pledge is so important. It is important because it is not a government-mandated program. No one made him do the right thing.”

  Each runway had a series of five multi-story landing nets vertically mounted on flexible poles. Many of the base’s personnel assembled on the field near the runway where Kaede’s balloon was headed. As it bounced down the runway, many chased after it. The balloon bounced over one landing net and was caught by the next.

  An hour later, Izanami’s balloon came in. It bounced over the first net. The second caught it.

  While ground crews raced to get Izanami out, Kaede watched on a screen inside the command centre.

  Once Izanami was out of her craft, the balloon was lifted onto a truck. It was taken to the hangars while the runways were cleared of the landing nets to allow the chase planes to land.

  Kaede was brought up to the podium, and Rudolf presented him with wings.

  Kaede stood at attention, thumped his chest with his left hand and said, “Thank-you Sky Marshall.”

  Rudolf returned the salute.

  Sora Waited in the crowd with a large bunch of flowers. Toshiko sent her on stage, she kissed Kaede on the cheek and stood beside him holding the bouquet.

  Kaede said, “Everyone, I present to you, Lady Sora, my fiancée.”

  Hiro smiled and looked at Takahiro, who shook his head.

  “Is this a formal engagement?” asked Dain Media.

  “When is the wedding?” asked Hashimoto News.

  “What about Izanami?” asked Petrov Press.

  Hiro saw how distressed Izanami was. He leant over and asked her in a soft voice. “Are you all right?”

  Izanami muttered, “What about me?”

  “Watch,” Hiro said. He walked on stage and said, “It is our custom to arrange marriages for our púca while they are still young. This is to allow the potential couple to grow up together as adults. My son has a fine group of young ladies.”