by Chris Hechtl
Then she handed the jug to her sister who reluctantly did the same on her side. As the fire crackled it caught up to the alcohol soaked straw and ignited into a bright flame. Hastily the women backed away from the blazing heat.
Ryans helped them down the stairs then backed away. He felt Deidra next to him. He looked down to see her face streaked with tears. He felt her hand sneak into his and he nodded. Gently he took her into his arms. She sobbed softly as he stroked her wet hair. He took his jacket off and put it over her shoulders. The act seemed to further her grief. Her hands clutched at it for a moment and then him in seemingly desperation. Servants were trying to shield prominent people with black umbrellas but apparently he wasn't the only one to wave them off. The Queen and Zara however huddled together in a knot of misery.
Zara hugged her mother, both stared into the fire as it roared, consuming her father.
Chapter 18
Perry nodded to the old Asian man watching the men working out in the courtyard below. The visitor had a long gray beard. His hair was done up in a top knot. His white robe had a lotus painted on it. His arms were clasped behind his back. He was the picture of an Asian master.
“Can I help you with something old timer?” Perry asked amused. He wasn't comfortable about having a civilian watching their training. Right now a group of Silent Knights, the native equivalent of army Rangers were in hand to hand training.
The old man turned and gave him a look then went back to watching the men below. A girl dressed in what looked like a traditional Chinese outfit came over and tugged on the old man's arm. He turned and she said something in an Asian language that the translator didn't quite catch fast enough.
The old man gave her a look and then patted her arm politely before he looked at Perry. He cocked his head as the girl stood behind the man and touched her black braided hair. “Something you want to let me in on?” he asked.
“You are commander of gaijin?” the elder asked.
“The military commander,” Perry nodded.
“How you know...” He pointed to the Gunny doing katas.
“The Gunny?” Perry asked. The elder frowned. “Oh you mean the martial arts?” he asked making the connection.
“Indeed,” the man said nodding, returning his hands to the folds of his robe.
“Well, this is American military grade martial art they are teaching. Gunny Paris is our resident expert on martial arts. He's studied Kung Fu, Jujitsu, Taijutsu, Karate, and a few others,” Perry explained. He shrugged as the Asians looked at each other.
“Problem Lieutenant?” the Gunny asked coming over as his assistant took charge of the class. Perry tossed him a towel. The noncom caught it and tucked it under one arm. The Gunny nodded politely to the girl and then came to attention and gave a deep bow to the elder.
“Konnichi wa sensei.”
“Konnichi wa,” the elder replied, bowing. “But I believe you are a sensei as well?” his eyes twinkled.
“I still have a lot to learn,” the Gunny said nodding to the student. “I learned a bit of karate under Sensei Oshido in Japan when I was on tour there,” he said. He gave the floundering Lieutenant a look.
“Ah,” the elder said nodding.
“They teach... the forbidden arts to gaijin now?” the student asked, clearly nonplussed. Her hands went to her sides and balled into fists.
Gunny Paris took in her outrage and his welcoming smile cooled slightly. “Things change over time miss. Martial arts were exported to other countries for many years after the last world war. There are hundreds of styles now,” the Gunny replied.
“Indeed,” the elder said nodding. He stroked his beard with a wrinkled hand. “Such things do happen. Like the weather, time changes all,” he bowed slightly to the Gunny.
“And we must change with it or be overwhelmed,” the Gunny replied. “Supple as a willow yet as strong as iron Sensei always told us.”
“Ah. Indeed, You had a wise teacher,” the elder nodded.
“You are the capital's grand master?” the Lieutenant asked. The elder smiled briefly, his eyes twinkled.
“I'd be honored with a bout sensei,” the Gunny said and bowed again.
“Indeed,” the elder murmured. The elder stopped stroking his beard then went over to one end of the mat. The students moved away. The assistant looked to the Gunny. The Gunny waved him away.
“Three falls out of four Sensei?” the Gunny asked as he strode over to the other side of the mat.
“As you wish,” the master said. His hands went to his sides. His body went into a horse stance. The Gunny looked him over then bowed politely.
“Let's keep this clean without too much breakage okay?” the Lieutenant said wearily. He held up a hand then dropped it.
<==={}------------>
“Age and treachery versus youth and strength,” the Gunny said smiling. He had a spectacular set of bruises on his throat and arm. He knew that the elder had pulled a few of his punches but they still hurt like hell.
“Not bad,” the elder said, panting as well. “I have not had such a bout in many years. You are worthy,” he said. He nodded. The Gunny bowed again.
“Indeed,” he said then smiled. “We'll have to do it again sometime.” The elder chuckled then rubbed the small of his back.
“Sometime yes, but old bones do feel aches in time,” the elder replied dryly. His student was both awed and concerned for her master's welfare. Perry chuckled softly at that.
“Perhaps you and your student could aide in the martial arts training grand ah... Sensei?” Perry asked. The grand master gave him a look.
The Asian master looked old, old and torn for a moment as he stroked his beard, looking away in deep thought. “For generations this has been a secret of our people. Guarded and only used in defense.” The elder looked around. His student was stiff. “But times have changed. We must defend our home or be overrun by the barbarians. I will help you,” he said. He nodded.
“But master...” the girl protested, hand up. He gave her a quelling look. She froze then her hand and head dropped. “Yes sensei.”
“We can make arrangements for what you need and where you would like to train. I've put in for a dojo, but it's not a priority now. Perhaps we can change that?” Perry asked glancing to the Gunny and then to the master. The grand master nodded.
“Indeed and perhaps in participating in this we shall reduce the number of thugs on the streets?” the elder said smiling slightly. His student twitched. The Gunny nodded.
“It would be helpful. Not everyone has the ability to learn as well as your student sensei. Teaching a few moves to... police and others would aide in that problem as well.” He shrugged at Perry's much put upon look. “What? It's on the to-do list you know.”
“I know,” Perry sighed. “Awfully long list,” he grimaced.
“Gets even longer every day sir,” the Gunny smiled as the elder and his student retreated. The elder moved with stately grace, hands tucked behind him in his robe. The student followed at the appropriate spacing.
“Think he'll be an asset?” Perry asked softly.
“Oh hell yes sir, I know so,” the Gunny replied checking an elbow. “He's good, very good. A little shy on a few of the newer moves, but he's got the techniques down to beyond art level.” He shrugged. “Besides, I heard his dojo was in the Asian temple that got burned down in a fire a year ago. He's been stuck in a flat in the slums. Getting a master of his caliber out and back where he can make a difference is important.”
“Indeed it is,” Perry nodded. “Just as long as we don't take in too many charity cases,” he replied and then frowned.
“Think of him as a civilian consultant sir,” the Gunny shrugged. “Besides, this way I can spend a bit more time with the Silent Knights on other tasks.”
“There is that,” Perry nodded grudgingly. “All right, set it up. I'll see what I can do about a dojo.”
“And training mats,” the Gunny sighed, rubbing the small of his back
. Hitting the flagstones had been painful. “Definitely training mats, maybe a hot tub too.”
“Well, you're the fool who went up against him. I wasn't about to,” Perry chuckled. The Gunny grinned.
“Pleasures worth the pain sir,” he said and then groaned. “I can't wait to tell my grandkids someday.”
“Let's hope so Gunny,” Perry said, slapping the Gunny on a bruised shoulder. The noncom winced and then shrugged it off.
<==={}------------>
Art’ur's eyes lit as he read the latest spy report. “So, the King is dead. Long live the King,” he said tapping his own chest as he grinned savagely.
Uuôden glanced at the other lords. Some were new to this ambition, others were wary. Some were eager for the conquest but aware that their opponents were almost done marshaling their forces. The fight to come would be vicious and they were low on supplies. Also none had been able to pry out the men holding the pass closed, though several cohorts had tried. None had been successful in the effort and few of the men tasked with the mission had returned.
They were beginning to question his leadership, Uuôden realized. He was loyal to his King, he had to be, and it was all he had left. But he could see madness in Art’ur, there was too much there now, he had too much invested to back down and retreat. All he could hope for was that the Imperium would be somehow crushed.
“The spies say they are waiting for the rains to dry out before they set fires,” Art’ur said, scanning the document as he read out loud. He scowled. “They should have set them before!” he snarled.
“If they had the rains would have put them out my liege,” Uuôden replied.
“Perhaps,” Art’ur said. He caught the look between Wedst and Fargut. Both were concerned about the dealings and events. “Perhaps not. Order them to double their efforts. And tell them not to attempt to kill the gaijin. We want them. They will be useful.”
“Aye my lord,” Uuôden said, feeling relief. There were only a handful of spies in the capital and none were ready to try something so foolish. Not after the reports of the attempt on the gaijin leader's life and how it had ended. A mighty warrior indeed to have killed five out of seven alone.
“Leave me. We must find a way to break this cursed siege. Emroy will pay dearly for thwarting us. I'll make him eat his own child's entrails as I watch,” Art’ur snarled as the lords filed out. Fargut stiffened and shot a concerned look over his shoulder at Art’ur. Fortunately for him Art’ur was looking away. Fargut recovered himself and quickly exited.
<==={}------------>
“We could have used the Colonel right about now,” Perry said eying the map.
“I was wondering about that, what was a bird colonel doing in this one way mission? Sounds like something from Stargate,” Ryans replied smiling politely.
“He volunteered actually. Right after he got a long lost promotion,” Waters said shrugging.
“Ah, so the bird of paradise squatted on his shoulder and he decided to play adventurer in payment?” Ryans asked. He wrinkled his nose at the thought as Waters snorted. “That doesn't fit with what granddad said about brass. Usually you get that high up you're less likely to stick your neck out. Shining a seat with their asses and trying to kill the grunts with mounds of paper cuts.”
Waters snorted again. “Cute. That shining a seat thing... He get that from Rambo?”
Ryans grinned. “Granddad had a thing for movies with CMH vets in it. Walker Texas ranger too,” he replied and then shrugged. “I'm not sure if it was because he identified with them since he was one, or just liked the attention others were giving to them.”
Water's eyes narrowed. “Hmmm. Didn't know your granddad was a CMH winner.”
“Korea,” Ryans answered. “His favorite movie was Heartbreak Ridge. He said they did a pretty good job with it. Even got the dumb ass officers...” He nodded to Perry. “Present company excepted,” he teased. Perry snorted a reply. “And the whole party atmosphere of the seventies and eighties just right. He said the military was royally screwed up back then. A lot of druggies and crap, it's why he got his thirty in and got out.”
Waters nodded, and then paused. “Forest Gump?” he asked with a suspicious up curved lip.
Ryans chuckled softly. “Gram's favorite, or so she said.” Perry eyed him and he shrugged. “She said that's the real deal, dumb luck for a grunt,” he said, grinning in memory of his grandfather's pained look. Perry chuckled softly. “Me I think she liked it just to yank gramp's chain.”
“Typical female,” Waters snorted.
“What about you LT? How come you're a butter bar and not a captain?”
Perry grimaced. “I had a bad OER.”
“Officers..? “
“Evaluation Report,” Waters filled in nodding to Perry. He'd used the noncom grapevine to get a handle on all his people of course so he knew something about it. Unfortunately the scuttlebutt had been bereft of details.
“Yeah, I kinda, ah, decked my superior officer,” Perry admitted. He grimaced as the other two men hooted in surprise and appreciation.
“Surprised you weren't court martialed sir!” Waters said laughing.
“Ah, well, there were extenuating circumstances. The bastard was sleeping with my wife,” he replied and grimaced. That sobered Ryans and Waters. “She told me in a dear John letter while I was in Iraq. He was back at base shuffling papers. I got a temporary leave and decked the SOB in the officers' club,” he said and then grimaced once more. “She was right there with him at the time.”
“Ah. Well, that explains it,” Waters said nodding. There was a big rule within the military ranks. Don't sleep with another man's wife. Trust was a big issue; you needed to trust your chain of command and the men and women around you.
“Broke the fucker's jaw,” Perry growled.
“Good. Good for you sir.”
“Damn right,” Ryans agreed nodding. “Now, if you'll excuse me the royal cabinet has called me in for a meeting. They want to discuss forming a new government.”
“In the middle of a war? Are they nuts?” Waters demanded.
Ryans chuckled as he got to the door. “You're just now noticing Master Sergeant?” he asked as a parting shot.
<==={}------------>
“The problem is where and how to start. Do you have a plan?” Duke Troy asked amused. He nodded politely to Ryans as the gaijin followed a page into the room. Ryans took the indicated seat and nodded to the others around the table.
Ryans looked amused as he entered the room. “It's the beginnings of one, several actually,” he sighed. “For government? Set up the same as the British crown, a constitutional monarchy with all the trimming.”
Troy cocked his head, eyes narrowed suspicious. “And that entails?” Ryans had to remind himself that the man might be young and a crown supporter like Duke Pryor but that didn't mean he was going to rubber stamp anything that took away power from himself and his progeny.
Ryans smiled tiredly. “A parliament for one, dual chamber. The first is the House of Lords.” He gave a polite nod to the Duke. “Second is the house of commons.” He winced, expecting a blow up.
The Duke scowled for a moment then nodded slowly. “There are merchants who are worthy. And others too.”
Ryans smiled, gratified that the other man didn't shoot it down immediately. Of course it didn't mean he agreed, but at least he was keeping an open mind. “People like the da Vincis although they would be better spent working as they are now. But as changes filter through to the populous, they will eventually desire a voice. By giving it to them as a right now, it should forgo any nasty revolutions or other mischief down the road.”
The Duke nodded. “Wise, though it will be difficult to get the other lords to accept.”
Ryans smiled. “If I can get one reactionary old reprobate to do it, I'm half way there,” he smiled as the Duke chuckled. “Education, both public and advanced education will be a must. As will changes to farming, water... and other things.” He shrugg
ed. He wasn't ready to broach civil rights quite yet. The princesses had done that already by returning the tablets to proper viewing and reminding the lords of them.
“Tell me; is it true that a person can farm an entire region on your world? On their own? A peasant farm is only a couple of acres, and it takes up to eight to farm it properly,” the Duke said studying him.
Ryans nodded. “Farms, at least large farms are measured in thousands of hectares where I am from actually,” Ryans chuckled at the Duke's shocked expression. He wasn't sure if the translator got the scale right but it was apparently getting the point across. “That's oh, millions of acres and yes, a handful of people can manage it with the right equipment. Once we get the factories going and equipment comes out, you'll be amazed.”
The Duke nodded. “And medicine...”
Ryans nodded as did the Queen. “A healthy well fed populace is key to preventing problems and revolts. I want Doc, Wanda, Charlie, Tau, Senji, and Angie as well as the others to get started on a child immunization project as soon as they can hand off their current duties to their deputies.”
“Immunization?” the Queen asked wary.
Ryans smiled. “Curing or preventing many ailments, Chicken pox, measles, mumps, small pox to name a few. Polio I heard is a bad thing here. On my world it was cured over a century ago. It works best if done when a person is young so their bodies can adapt easily. Many illnesses like polio strike when a person is young. We also have some means of fighting off influenza and the common cold, or at least making them easier to weather,” Ryans explained. The Queen and Duke were wide eyed.
The Duke looked away for a moment. “If you can do that,” his voice was husky and it faltered. He paused and took a sip of alcohol. “If you can do that,” he repeated then shook himself. The Queen rested her hand on his. He patted it gently. “I lost my wife and son to a disease. If you can...”
“We treasure our children. Each loss is heartbreaking,” the Queen murmured.
Ryans smiled softly. “We'll do our best sir. You have my word.”
