by Zachary Hill
Kenshiro stood with her, a sniper rifle slung over his shoulder. He reached to give it to her, and the ghostly rifle became solid matter. The crowd gasped as it turned into a black Flying V guitar decorated with vulture feathers and human skulls. No brand name adorned its headstock but instead her own logo of the cherry blossom inside the skull. Her own guitar, made with her own hands in a small luthier’s shop.
She accepted the guitar and slipped the strap over her shoulder. She held it close, as if embracing a lover. With reverence, she played the first notes of “Machine Resurrection”, joining with the solo guitar in the background. Kenshiro stepped behind her, wrapping his arms around her as she played. His spirit merged into the guitar, and he disappeared as the notes rang out hard and heavy.
With each measure, she increased the gain on the signal, the chugging rhythm becoming an urgent riff, and finally bursting outward in a solo that screamed out its pain and glory through the speaker stacks. The slow-building song kicked into high gear as a killer drumbeat joined with Sakura and the mystery guitarist.
A gigantic steel skull lifted from the back left corner of the stage. The eyes flashed with red light along with the drums. The rhythm intensified as the skull’s mouth opened and revealed Todai 3465 pounding on the drums. His BLADE-3 armor had been painted glossy black. His white face paint showed a permanent scream. A punk Mohawk of white and black hair was affixed to his head and ran down to the middle of his back.
“Todai!” the crowd screamed and raised the devil horns. He played like a master, channeling the skill of the greatest drummers in history. Fire burst from the end of his sticks, so that every drumbeat lashed across the darkness in trails and wisps of flame.
Sakura played her new guitar, Rocket-Powered Angel, and gave the command for the tall platform to descend toward the main stage level.
As she reached the floor, red spotlights appeared at her right. Hitomi entered, playing the haunting rhythm that had started the show, revealing herself as virtuoso guitar player. Dressed in red and black Goth Lolita heavy-metal clothing and a short dark wig, she shredded the notes.
“Hitomi!” the crowd shouted and reached for her. She flashed a devilish grin.
Bright blue spotlights hit the left side of the stage as Yuki sashayed out, playing a white bass guitar. She danced and smiled as she slapped the bass.
The three vocaloids joined each other at center stage, and the song came together during this first show of the two-year world tour that would take them to every nation.
The arena screen proclaimed: “SAKURA AND THE BEAUTIFUL MACHINES!”
Balls of fire lit up the stage as Sakura began to sing. The crowd rose up, their hands craning toward the pyro stacks like flowers to the sun. Sakura bent her knees, ramping up into the solo bridge to their new song, “Machine Resurrection.” She felt Yuki’s slim back touch her own, and she leaned into the comfort of her sister’s touch.
Yuki started the fast segment on her bass, the bloom of the low frequencies bathing the crowd, locking into time with Todai’s thundering kick drums.
Sakura closed her eyes, passing venue light control to Yuki and cameras to Hitomi.
Inside their shared UI, Kunoichi created a dusty curbside outside a mini-mart she’d found in an old movie. Her knees drawn up against torn, hard-used denim, she gave Sakura a fatalistic little grin.
“Kunoichi, perform with us, please.”
“I’m just watching. It’s a really good opening.”
Sakura played and sang better than she ever had before. The crowd reached a state of euphoria as their Augmented Reality stimulators helped them feel joy and love and awe. Her song captured the feeling of being dead and coming alive again, of having hope and friends and family.
“Sister.” Sakura stood before Kunoichi. “I wrote a verse after the second guitar solo. Hitomi won’t sing it, but I always hoped you would.”
“Me?”
“In your real voice, yes.”
Kunoichi stood. It would be a long time searching before Sakura could understand everything she read in her sister’s eyes. Even though they were the same person, the same spirit, there were still secrets. And it was better this way—better to be two and never lonely.
“Yeah. Fuck it. I’ll sing, you play.”
Their eyes opened onstage, one cherry-blossom pink, one steel gray. Kunoichi’s voice sliced through the churning rhythm of the song, rough and sweet and heartbroken, just like the best rock singers always were. It was something you couldn’t fake; you had to earn it.
At the end of the song, Sakura, Hitomi, and Yuki stood at the edge of the stage as the jubilant applause rocked the arena. Todai posed behind his drum kit, arms raised, flaming drumsticks held high.
The vocaloid sisters connected with the fans in the front row, locking eyes with them and raising the metal salute. Asami, their tour assistant and official Rock ’n’ Roll Activist, looked up at them. Her eyes had seen much pain, but Asami stood proud, and Sakura knew the young woman would change the world. Asami would fight oppression and all forms of abuse against children. Sakura could never have a daughter, but Asami would be like her child and her friend forever.
All of the fans who stood onstage at the protest outside the legislature were in the front row. Those who had stood with Asami and the band, ready to step forward if Asami was killed, stood within an arm’s reach of Sakura.
Masashi, Fujio, and Takashi stood beside Asami. The courageous young men had formed their own group and signed with Sakura’s new label. Their band, called The Queen’s Jesters, debuted their first single, “Laugh at Life, Laugh at Death,” and already had the top-selling song in Asia. They would join her on the world tour for as many shows as they wanted.
Sakura stared at the sea of faces, her beloved fans, and her friends. The power of music brought them together, united them. This was her purpose. She wanted to be an artist, a songwriter, a musician, and a performer whose creative works mattered.
The best qualities of humanity drove her core ideals. She did not know how far she would evolve or where her journey would ultimately take her, but she did know that she loved people, and above all, she loved heavy metal.
Acknowledgments
承認
by Joshua Hill
Zach and I were introduced to anime, and by extension Japanese culture and history, through our older brother, George. Ever since then, we’ve been fascinated with everything Japanese, and the more we delved into it, the more interesting it became. The only thing that didn’t interest us was the music. We had no interest in J-pop or the idols—idoru—who sang it. We were always hard-rocking hermanos! We grew up on a steady diet of Rob Zombie, Tool, and Disturbed. Pop music, especially super bubbly J-pop was anathema to us.
Zach learned to play the bass guitar during his first deployment with the Army National Guard in Iraq. In those hellish conditions, Zach found comfort and escape in music and anime. He did not come back from Iraq completely unscathed, even though he was never wounded in action. He was deeply disturbed and even scarred by his experience. He wanted nothing more than to live a peaceful life and help others do the same. He abhorred violence while recognizing the need to fight for what is right, mainly peace and freedom.
After his experiences in Iraq, including a second deployment in 2007, Zach needed to find some good in the world, heal, and come to terms with post-traumatic stress, so he decided to travel. He used his deployment money and lived in Italy for several months. Despite being the friendliest and most loving person, he always felt alone. Zach loved his time in Italy, but he wanted to be with family, so he returned home.
Wanderlust soon overtook him again, and he took a job teaching English in Japan. He quickly fell in love with the people and enjoyed his time there. While there, he discovered Hatsune Miku, the famous vocaloid, and the supergroup, BabyMetal. Finally, he could experience and enjoy the cultural sensation of idols, J-pop, and heavy metal together. The seeds of a new book were planted.
Afte
r returning from Japan, he met the love of his life, Mackenzie, and they had a wonderful but far too short time together. Tragically and suddenly, Zach died on January 15, 2016, one week before their first wedding anniversary. His death was a heavy blow to everyone who knew him. Zach probably would have said very few people would come to his funeral, but hundreds came. He made an impact on everyone he met, and we all mourn him together. At the viewing, Paul, Patrick, and I vowed to finish what Zach started. Little did we know the years-long adventure it would become.
And here I am, thinking about the book I just read and everything it took to get to this point. The last conversation I had with Zach was him telling me that he finally finished his book and that he would spend all day that coming Saturday editing it. He was excited about every project he worked on, but he was the most excited about this one. He considered this his magna obra, his greatest work. He poured his considerable heart and soul into this, and it shows.
It took me months to even be able to open the word file of the manuscript. The grief was still too near, but I’d made a vow. I attempted to edit the book, but because my thought process was so similar to Zach’s and it was still too emotional, I knew I needed outside help. The most obvious people to help were Paul and Patrick, and their work has paid off. Even though many things had to be rewritten, you can hear Zach’s voice through them, which shows Paul’s and Patrick’s genius and personal connection to Zach.
Sakura is an intelligent being forced to toil and kill for the government. She feels lonely and reaches out to make friends. She plays the guitar to relax and find peace. She hates violence and killing but is willing to fight for liberty and to uplift those around her. Sound familiar?
By reading this book, you will come to know Zach and honor him. All he wanted was to tell a good story. In this, he succeeded remarkably.
Paul and Patrick, you have been superheroes through this entire endeavor, sacrificing considerable time and money to see this work finished. My family and I can never repay you for what you have done. We are in your debt.
Thank you to George and Joyce Hill for helping to finance this project and always being a source of encouragement.
Thank you to our older brother, George, for introducing us to rock and anime, which have stuck with us all our lives.
Thank you to the inspirations of rock in his life, Sarah, Kevin, and Lexi Tate, as well as Savannah Howard.
Thank you to Shannon Thorpe for being Zach’s heart and softer side.
Thank you to Glenda Woodson for her constant support and love.
Thank you to all Zach’s friends and family who have influenced him and helped him along the way.
Thank you to Mackenzie for making the last year of Zach’s life his happiest.
Patrick would like to thank the universe for allowing him to meet Zach, a truly exemplary person and one of the kindest souls one could imagine. The project has been watched over by friends and loved ones departed. Patrick dedicates his part of this project to the memory of Marilyn and Bob Tracy, who were always in his corner, his biggest and most faithful fans.
Rachael Moody’s friendship and incredible inner light helped Patrick find a way back from a very dark place, and he will forever be grateful for that. He also gives great thanks to Alexis Tracy, who is metal right to the marrow of her bones and demonstrates every day how to live like a badass.
Patrick would also like to thank Julie Frost and Dave Bridges, who put up with his weirdness on a weekly basis during writers’ group meetings and have always been there with great critiques and useful suggestions.
Finally, great thanks go to Paul Genesse, whose heroic efforts on this project allowed it to reach fruition. His patience with Patrick during the times when the project became too emotional to work on, his passion, and his relentless vigor are the reason you hold this book in your hands.
Paul would like to thank all of Zach’s friends and family for trusting him with the literary legacy of such an awesome person. He would like to thank Kaitlund Zupanic, for her incredible support and beautiful art. Chloe Mori Ward, for being a heavy metal princess and for her inspiration along the way. Chad Darling, for his friendship and all the fun times. Michael Darling, for being a true friend and fan. Eliza Crosby, for her encouragement and smiles. Sean Smithson, for helping spread the word and for his knowledge of music. Michael Glassford, for his friendship and advice.
A huge thanks to Paul’s wife, Tammy Genesse, for putting up with his crazy writer lifestyle and making him delicious tacos when he crawled out of the basement.
A standing ovation goes to Craig Nybo, for recording the song, “My Confession,” and for the cool Sakura novel teaser video. Callie Stoker, for singing “My Confession” and gifting us with her beautiful voice—please listen to it on YouTube. Joe Monson, for his expertise on the Japanese language and kanji as he translated so many words.
Caryn Larrinaga, for her excellent interior design, making this a work of art. Devon Dorrity, for his exceptional cover and book jacket design and priceless advice as we put this all together. Jennie Stevens, whose copyediting was brilliant and helped the prose shine.
Bradley P. Beaulieu, whose development edits, advice, and support took the novel to the next level. Brad challenged us to make it better and better, and we are forever grateful.
Sarah Steigers, for her brilliant cover and interior illustrations, which made Sakura, Kunoichi, and the other characters come to life. Zach would have loved your work, and you are an amazing person and artist.
Paul would most like to thank his badass coauthor and blood brother, Patrick M. Tracy, who brainstormed with him for hours, wrote incredible emotional punches in key scenes, and lent his vast knowledge of guitars and heavy metal.
Finally, thank you, the readers, for reading and rocking along with this book and supporting the legacy of a great person and a brilliant storyteller, Zachary Hill.
About Patrick M. Tracy
Some say Patrick M. Tracy is an evolutionary throwback to prehistoric times—a caveman, even. While the full scientific truth of this has yet to be proven, he does play the bass guitar, which is generally considered to be evidence enough. For an archaic hominid, he is reasonably adept at technology and manages to type with all his fingers. His written work spans fantasy, science fiction, and horror, as well as poetry and the occasional literary piece.
One of the principal creators of the Crimson Pact universe, he was included in all five volumes of that series. He has also appeared in Kaiju Rising: Age of Monsters and Mech: Age of Steel. His novelette, “Worth the Scars of Dying,” appears in Noir Fatale from Baen Books. When not writing and dragging his knuckles along the ground, he loves archery, playing the guitar, and performing feats of strength. For more information, please check out his website: pmtracy.com.
About Paul Genesse
Paul Genesse is the bestselling author of the Iron Dragon series, including The Golden Cord, The Dragon Hunters, and The Secret Empire. He’s also sold almost twenty short stories and novellas. He’s the writer/producer/director of the parody musical comedy shows: The Star Wars Rock Opera (Episodes I-VI), The Steampunk Rock Opera, and Han and Qi’ra: A Star Wars Story (based on West Side Story/Romeo and Juliet. He’s edited seven anthologies and is the editor of five volumes in the shared multi-verse The Crimson Pact series.
He worked as a charge nurse in a cardiac unit for seventeen years before getting into Information Technology, where he’s the Nursing Solution Architect for the electronic medical record system for a large healthcare company. He’s often a guest and teaches writing at conventions, where he enjoys interviewing media personalities, usually the Lord of the Rings actors. Check out some of the interviews and learn more about his creative work at paulgenesse.com. Friend him on Facebook and send him pictures of dragons and androids.
About Zachary Hill
Zach loved life. He took every opportunity to experience it. He traveled to every country he could, just to learn and take part in how the people lived. He
made friends all around the world and was the most loyal friend anyone could ask for. He was simply the best, most honest, loving, and supportive man I ever knew. I could tout his accomplishments—like his two tours in Iraq or his two bachelor degrees—but if we could ask him what his greatest accomplishment was, he’d say marrying his soul mate, Mackenzie.
Tragically, Zach died on January 15, 2016, from a blood clot. Shortly before his sudden passing, he finished the first draft of Sakura: Intellectual Property. He loved this story—and Japan, where he once taught English. This novel, the greatest achievement in his writing career, brought together his love of music, action-thrillers, dystopian sci-fi, and Japanese culture, all centered around the most unique character he ever created.
At his wake, Zach’s loyal friends decided to finish his final project as a tribute to him. The best way to remember or get to know Zachary Hill is to read what he wrote. That’s all he would ask for. RIP, brother.
—Joshua Hill
