Retribution

by Charles Tillman

  “Kun will kill someone over this. He’s already acting crazed. This will push him over the edge,” Cui lamented.

  “Cui and I will organize the survivors. Take him,” Pan dropped Xian on the deck, “with you. Let him explain why he allowed this to happen.”

  Xian paled at the prospect of having to talk to Kun. Everyone had heard the rumors of how he’d killed and injured others who brought unwanted news.

  “Keep him here. Have him help the injured.” Cui pointed toward the damaged area. “I know where to find him if Kun wants more.”

  Cui turned on his heel and headed for the gangplank. When he was far enough away that the fire’s roar wasn’t deafening, he pulled the satellite phone from his pocket. Before he could key in Kun’s number, it vibrated in his hand.

  “Not a good time, Li.”

  “What’s happened?” Li inquired, on edge from Cui’s tone.

  “We had an incident today. The damage to the troopship makes it unusable. We’re still separating the injured from the dead.”

  “Your team?”

  “They’re alive. Pan was caught in the blast but has healed. Yi is unharmed, and Ren has gone with a group of warriors to bring the weapons on the last leg of their journey.”

  “That’s splendid news, at least. Your team and the mystery weapons’ imminent arrival.”

  “Yeah.” He snorted. “Maybe Kun will only kill me a little.”

  “Kun needs you,” Li assured him. “Shao located the vampires’ base. We have a target now.”

  “Once we sort out the fallout from the fire and Ren arrives with the weapons, we’ll head for Japan. I won’t be able to bring as many warriors on the remaining ship, but I’ll bring the most skilled fighters who survived.”

  “How many can you bring on the smaller vessel?”

  “Fifty at the most.”

  “That will have to do. Kun won’t tolerate further delay.”

  “Any changes in the plan when we arrive?”

  “No, other than deciding which targets to send the troops against first. It will take longer if Kun insists on establishing a base in Japan with so few warriors to man it.”

  “If we take out the vampires, it shouldn’t be too difficult to deal with humans.” Cui snorted.

  “These humans have silver ammunition for their weapons. You need to remember that and warn your warriors.”

  “Silver.” Cui scoffed. “There’s no way an unenhanced human can match a tiger’s speed.”

  “Warn them,” Li snapped. “We don’t need to lose any warriors to overconfidence.”

  Cui gritted his teeth at the obvious reprimand. “I understand. If all goes as planned, I will see you in four days. At least the smaller ship is faster than the damaged one.”

  “I’ll see you in Miura in four days. The area is mostly uninhabited but come ashore after dark. I don’t want to attract any attention if we can avoid it.”

  “I’ll call you when we sail.” Cui terminated the call.

  “Problems?” Wu asked when Li threw the phone onto the couch beside him.

  “There was an incident with the troopship. We won’t have as many warriors as we planned for. The ship is unusable, and warriors died.”

  Wu shrugged. “Death is an old friend of warriors. We will send for more once we remove the vampires from the equation.”

  “Possibly. I hope it is as easy as you and Cui think it will be. Japan is better prepared than Kun expected. I think it will be smart not to underestimate what the military and police can do with that damned silver ammunition they have.”

  “Kill enough of them and the rest will run away. They’re only human.”

  Li shook his head as he went to gather his gear for the run to Miura, a destroyed town on the west side of the entrance to Tokyo Harbor. The tsunamis had washed it away after the WWDE. According to Shao, there were no permanent dwellers there. Hopefully, it was desolate enough that the Clan wouldn’t be discovered before they built defenses for the base Kun had ordered.

  Chapter Thirty

  Kume Island, Okinawa, Japan

  “Akio-sama, it’s so good to see you again,” Ono Yagi greeted him as Yagi ushered him through the door.

  “Domo, Ono-san.”

  “Please sit. The tea is almost ready.” Yagi nodded at the table in the dining area.

  Akio admired the fine-grained wood of the obviously new dining table. “You’ve made some changes since I was here last.”

  Yagi beamed as Akio noticed the piece he’d worked so many hours to restore. “Asai found this in a used furniture store in Tokyo. I wanted to surprise Ono with it on our wedding anniversary. It’s almost a perfect match for the one her parents gave us on our wedding day. A tree fell through the roof during a cyclone twenty years ago and destroyed that one.”

  “It’s a beautiful piece. The pattern of the wood grain is unique. I don’t recall seeing wood like this before.”

  “It’s made from a cedar species native to the Americas. It amazed me that Asai could find it. Furniture made from that wood was rare here before the WWDE. She remembered seeing pictures when she was younger, and her mother telling her the story of its loss.”

  Akio nodded as he ran his hand appreciatively over the smooth surface.

  “Horst helped me with the stain I used after I cleaned it up and sanded it.” He nodded at the large Were. “Then Yuko provided a sealant that makes it impervious to scratches and nicks caused by daily use. She assured me it will remain in this condition for a hundred years.”

  Ono approached with her heirloom tea service on a tray. She only brought it out for special occasions, and Akio’s or Yuko’s visits qualified.

  Akio inhaled the rich earthy aroma of the tea. His sensitive nose picked out four unique spices in the fragrant steam. He closed his eyes as he sipped. The individual flavors exploded in a melody across his palette.

  “This is delicious, Ono,” Akio praised. “Horst tells me this is your blend, Suzu.”

  “My father taught it to me. It’s been many years since I’ve been able to get the needed ingredients.” Suzu nodded.

  “That won’t be a problem any longer.” Horst grinned. “Asai has arranged for monthly tea and sake deliveries on the ships from the main island.”

  “I might need to speak to my daughter about the sake. I wouldn’t want Yagi to become a layabout.” Ono chuckled.

  Yagi feigned offense. “Woman, you know I work harder than any two mayors on this island.”

  Horst and Ono laughed while Akio’s lips raised in a ghost of a smile. Horst had noticed that he reverted to his reserved demeanor whenever Kenjii wasn’t around.

  “Thank you for coming, Akio. I hope I’m wrong, but I believe there is something not right with Kimura.” Yagi shrugged. “He’s been asking too many questions about the troubles here, and about you and Yuko.”

  Akio nodded as he sipped his tea in silence.

  “He isn’t an experienced contractor,” Horst added. “I asked him a question anyone involved with the job would know, and he didn’t answer it correctly.”

  “I will speak to him. If he isn’t what he claims, I will know,” Akio assured them.

  “Will you and Yuko be able to come to Asai’s and Koda’s opening?” Ono inquired.

  “Hai, we wouldn’t miss it. We are both proud of their accomplishments. They’re amazing young women.”

  “Thank you for all you have done for them, and for us here on Kume. You not only saved our lives, but you also gave us a new purpose,” Ono offered as she collected the empty teacups.

  Akio shook his head. “You have done the work here. All I did was remove a blight, one that should have been removed from the Earth before it ever came here.”

  “No, you protected Asai and Koda and made them capable of defending themselves. Now you’re here to ensure someone isn’t a danger to us. You had no obligation to do any of the things you have done. We are eternally in your debt,” Suzu argued.

  “If you will continue to s
erve this tea when I visit, we will call it an even trade.” Akio grinned. “I need to head back soon, so I should speak with this contractor who may not be and get going.”

  “I told him to meet us at the Sunset House. He thinks he’s meeting a potential client.” Horst chuckled.

  “Well, let’s not keep him waiting.” Akio turned to Suzu and Ono. “I look forward to seeing you soon.”

  “Would you like me to accompany you and Horst?” Suzu asked.

  “No. If there is trouble, I wouldn’t want you to be in danger. Horst and I are more resilient than you,” Akio stated.

  “Suzu, let them handle this.” Ono held up a stack of paper. “You have several items that need your attention.”

  Suzu shook his head in mock disgust. “Fishing. Yes, I will retire as mayor and spend my life fishing.”

  Horst and Akio laughed as they went out the door.

  Sunset House, Kume Island, Okinawa, Japan

  Horst and Akio arrived early for the meeting. Akio stepped into the kitchen while Horst sat at the bar.

  “Horst-san,” Kimura greeted the Were as he walked in.

  “Hikonaga-san. Thank you for coming.”

  “Where is the client?” Kimura looked around the room.

  “He will be with us in a moment,” Horst assured him.

  Akio heard the man approaching the door and pushed out his senses. He picked up the man’s emotions before he entered. Curious, but no sign of nervousness. That was good.

  When he approached the bar, his thoughts came through as Akio focused on him.

  I wonder what project this gaijin has. I hope the person doesn’t take too long. I want to talk to more of the villagers before the ship arrives today. I know there is information on those people. It’s strange how when I press about their “saviors,” everyone clams up and won’t talk. Kishi needs…

  When that name entered his thoughts, Akio sprang into action. Before the thought was complete, Kimura was pressed against the bar, his eyes round with fright as Akio stared into them.

  “Yakuza dog,” Akio growled as his eyes slowly turned red. “I have been lenient with your organization. That ends now.”

  Horst watched with mild amusement as this played out. “I take it Yagi’s suspicions were correct?”

  “Hai. This one works with Kishi Sakutaro. He was here to gain a foothold on Kume for the Yakuza.”

  Horst’s eyes flashed yellow as a low growl rumbled up from his chest. “Would you like me to deal with him?”

  Kimura’s eyes darted from one man to the other as his body trembled in fear. He recognized Akio from the picture Kishi had shown him the previous month. That the blond giant he had interacted with regularly over the past month wasn’t human almost unmanned him.

  “We can talk about this, gentlemen,” Kimura tried.

  “I can take him up in my Pod and give him half a ride back to Tokyo,” Horst offered, ignoring him.

  “Although that would be fitting,” Akio mused, “this is my second encounter with the Yakuza in less than twenty-four hours. I think I need to deliver a more…personal message.”

  Pod over the East China Sea

  Abel?

  Yes, Akio?

  Where is Kishi Sakutaro?

  She is on the road. Based on previous data, she is headed to the house in Nishitama.

  Akio was silent for a moment as the Pod flew. He’d left the Black Eagle for Horst.

  Kimura Hikonaga sat in one of the Pod’s jump seats, his eyes glazed over and sightless. After Akio had sorted through Kimura’s mind and discovered the crimes he and Asaka had committed on Kishi’s orders, the vampire decided the Yakuza needed a Queen’s Bitch-level message. These two men deserved to be his examples.

  Thank you, Abel. Please contact Kenjii and advise him I would like his help earlier than planned tonight. We will visit Kishi and Sato before dealing with those Clan farms in China.

  Kenjii notified. I updated him with your ETA.

  Very well. When I land, put the Pod up five kilometers. We’ll take it to Nishitama.

  The Pod descended silently into the courtyard moments later. Akio stepped out of the open door before it settled, and the Pod reversed direction and sped up into the darkening sky.

  Akio, I detect an unknown human on the Pod.

  He is going with us. Monitor him, although I don’t think he can break the compulsion. If he moves, I authorize you to use whatever nonlethal measures you deem appropriate to contain him.

  Acknowledged.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  TQB Base, Tokyo, Japan

  “What have we got?” Kenjii inquired as Akio stepped out of the elevator.

  “Yakuza.”

  Kenjii’s smile faltered at Akio’s curt reply. He followed the older vampire to his quarters, concerned that the usually unflappable man seemed out of sorts.

  Akio went to his closet and pulled out his Jean Dukes armor and guns.

  “Will we need that for humans?”

  “No, for the tigers after.” Akio pulled off the plain black tunic he wore and replaced it with another, one with a distinctive patch adorning one shoulder.

  “Akio?” Kenjii called softly as he moved behind him and wrapped his arm around the other man’s torso. “What troubles you?”

  Akio drew a deep breath and released it slowly. “There was another Yakuza on Kume. He posed as a contractor. Kishi Sakutaro sent him there to get a foothold.”

  “They need to die,” Kenjii hissed as he pulled Akio closer.

  “Hai.”

  “How do you wish to handle this?”

  “We take the Pod and deliver Kishi’s man back to her. She will be at Sato Sakutaro’s home. We will deal with both of them.”

  Kenjii pressed his mouth close to Akio’s ear and whispered, “Then we send a message that every surviving member of that organization understands.”

  “Within reason.” Akio grimaced. “Inspector Yonai has requested that we not upset his bosses.”

  Kenjii released him and stepped back. “What do you care? These people have attacked you before, and you showed mercy. It is time they understand mercy is not a weakness,” he snarled.

  “No, it isn’t. But we are guests here, and I can’t forget that either. My Queen charged me to prepare a safe place for Michael when he returns. I can’t do that if I am at war with the government of Japan.”

  Kenjii shook his head in disgust. “Perhaps the government needs to understand its place in the world.”

  “No. Our place is to keep the UnknownWorld from interfering in human affairs. What you suggest goes against everything Bethany Anne stands for. We will defend ourselves if needed. We will not slaughter them wholesale.”

  “It isn’t right. They have injured your people, worked with the tigers to harm us, and preyed on other humans with no regard.”

  “I am aware of that, Kenjii. Remember, I come from a time where I executed honorless criminals on sight. I want nothing more than to cut the Yakuza cancer from this land, but my honor prevents that.” Akio turned away and closed his eyes. It tore at his mind. One infinitesimal part wanted to deliver the harsh Justice Kenjii desired, the Justice the Yakuza deserved. The other refused to disobey his Queen. His honor was more important than the petty revenge he wished to inflict.

  “I don’t like it, but I understand,” Kenjii murmured as he moved to embrace Akio again.

  Akio rested his head on Kenjii’s shoulder. “Thank you, my friend.”

  “You said we can defend ourselves, correct?”

  “Hai.”

  “Here’s hoping they want to fight,” Kenjii whispered into Akio’s ear.

  Akio didn’t reply, but he agreed.

  Sakutaro Residence, Nishitama District, Tokyo, Japan

  “Abel?” Akio called as the Pod held position in the night sky three kilometers above Sato Sakutaro’s walled estate.

  “Yes?” Abel answered over the Pod’s speaker.

  “What resistance can we expect?”

&
nbsp; The monitor in the Pod came to life with a three-dimensional diagram of the estate.

  “There are two guards here.” Red dots appeared by the gates. “Two more in the house, and four roaming the grounds.” More dots appeared as Abel called out the numbers and locations.

  “Sato, Kishi, and Kishi’s right-hand man, Asaka Shuko, are in the study here.” Three more dots appeared on the first floor near the inner guards. “Sato’s valet is in the kitchen, but the rest of the staff has left for the day. Juba is in a room adjoining the study,” Abel finished.

  “This is real-time tracking?”

  “Of course. Do you think I’m some bargain-basement desktop?”

  Kenjii snorted and his eyes danced with humor.

  Akio rolled his eyes while shaking his head at their antics.

  “Kenjii, I want you to disable these guards.” He pointed at the two stationary dots on each corner of the rear fence. “I’ll take care of the roamers.”

  “Define ‘disable.’”

  “Incapacitate them. No biting, either.”

  Kenjii stuck his bottom lip out and pouted. “You’re no fun tonight.”

  “Bite a tiger later,” Akio snarked.

  “Their fur gets stuck in my fangs.” Kenjii’s lips curled in disgust.

  “Why me?” Akio looked up and spread his arms to the sides as if invoking an unseen deity.

  Kenjii burst out in raucous laughter. “Because you chose me,” he choked out.

  “Indeed, I did. For that, I will be eternally thankful.” Akio smiled.

  “Let’s do this.” Kenjii grinned as he stood and adjusted the twin swords hanging from his belt.

  “Abel, take us to the west rear corner and hold position five meters above the guard there,” Akio ordered.

  “Acknowledged. Happy hunting.” The Pod dropped fast, then halted at the desired height.

  “Kenjii, meet me at the rear door when you’re done.”

  Kenjii nodded and grinned as he leapt through the door and plummeted down, landing with both feet on the unsuspecting mobster’s shoulders.

  Akio watched as Kenjii drove the soldier to the ground. One side of his mouth twitched, but he forced his lips into a tight line again.