Fire Fury Freedom

by Amanda Rose

  “She came back so quickly. I guess people here are used to these kinds of fancy places… Must be nice…” Suako dreaded the thought of leaving. She was enjoying herself in this kingdom of dreams. So much beauty was entangled there. “Well, let’s keep going through it while she’s gone,” Vince lifted his menu back up.

  Pop! The cork flew off the bottle to release the sweet and tangy beverage. “May I?” Yuri raised her brow. Vince nodded. She filled one of the mauve glasses partially with the champagne-coloured wine. Vince took the glass, swirled the drink around, releasing the vapour which he inhaled, and he could almost taste it then. He sipped it and the sour flavour was washed away with a sweet and fruity aftertaste. “Delicious,” he put on his imaginary mask and become a different person in front of Yuri; he was enjoying being an actor for the day. His confidence was appealing. Their glasses were filled and the green bottle placed in a stationary holder next to their table.

  “So, may I take your orders now?” she asked once more. “Yes. I’ll have the gyoza to start –the dumplings sound wonderful. And as my main course I’d like the sweet pork and rice balls,” Vince told her with a sense of conviction. Yuri scribbled down notes on her paper, “Alright. And you miss?” “I’d like the cucumber and shrimp salad and then the salmon sushi dish,” Suako took her turn using conviction in her speech and thoroughly enjoyed it. “Good choice, we just got in a fresh batch of seaweed in today. Great choices! I’ll be back later with your dishes.”

  It was relieving and yet somewhat delightful to have so boldly spoken. They shed their slightly more grotesque habits and refined themselves in order to conform to this high-class society. It felt good to be treated like royalty. It was a refreshing experience that left a great and everlasting impression. The chime of glass radiated threw the air, as a toast was made several tables away.

  I wonder what he’s thinking. I really wonder why we’re here… Hehe my heart is going to beat right out of my chest of fall onto the table if it goes any faster. Suako lifted her hand to cover her mouth and the monstrous giggle welling within. I feel like a princess… I guess I can see why the C.D.F.P. don’t want to change. Who would want to? This is just so, so… I can’t even think of a word for it. Oh, Vince looks so handsome. This can’t be real. It must be a dream. I’m going to wake up back in Torusan any minute now… now… now? No, maybe it is real. I hardly believe it though.

  Mmm oh how delicious… It’s like heaven on my tongue. Yes, heaven is having a party on my tongue. I’ve been blessed. If only I were hungry. I don’t know why I’m not. I barely ate today. I was hungry before we got here, no wait… it was before the dress I suppose. Oh, I feel warm and tingly. Was I drugged? Someone put something in my drink? No! What the hell is wrong with you? You weren’t drugged!

  Wow… so soft… I’ve never felt this before. I feel so pretty. I wonder if anyone can see my scars? Oh, who care’s…Look at the colors… They even shine… Suako smiled. She continued on, in her mind, conversing with herself. It seemed an eternity within the depths of her flowing thoughts, yet it was next to none at all.

  “You’re beautiful, Suako,” the soft brush of Vince’s fingers, as they slide over her long-fingered hands, brought the cloud-hoping Suako back down to earth. Her toes could reach the floor again, and a dreamy sigh pushed from her. “Thank you… for everything. This is just… thank you,” no other words would do. They sat holding hands with romantic gazes that spoke more than any words could. They memorised every last detail of each other, as they were that night, to be forever kept locked away inside.

  The first course came and was lain in front of them It wasn’t food, it was art! The arrangement was dazzling. Sprinkled herbs and coloured sauces dribbled along the rim of the dishes. Color hues integrated perfectly, and even structural placement deserved the highest praise. It felt shameful to ruin this decadent piece of art.

  Enveloped in taste it was hard to admit that a few bites in and neither were hungry. Though beyond scrumptious, the sheer happiness of the night filled them up inside. Vince stood and placed his napkin down neatly beside his plate. He circled the table and held his hand out to Suako, who looked up to him questionably.

  Since they’d arrived someone came and played the piano with the violinist. “Dance with me,” he said, looking at the vision of perfection before him. She slid her hand into his and took to her feet. Vince led her through the tables to a floor space. It was wide and circular like the lobby, it’s shape was depicted by a tincture change of the floor, and the pillars that encircled the skylight. It was magic. The tables didn’t penetrate the dance floor. The only different between the restaurant and the lobby was that the lobby had a painted night sky on it, but here, it was the real thing. A spectacular class ceiling looked up to the celestial bodies above.

  Standing there in the centre of the room Suako felt embarrassed. Vince took her hand in his and placed his other hand at the small of her back. Never having had danced before Suako didn’t know what she was supposed to do. Vince’s grandfather taught him as a boy, so he leaned toward Suako and whispered softly in her ear, “Put your hand on my shoulder. Then I’ll lead you. Alright?” She nodded and refrained from the urge she had to bite her lip.

  They began to dance, and like angels, they swept across the floor. Everyone watched them. Exhilaration pulsed through Suako’s veins. Vince leaned forward once more putting his mouth to Suako’s ear. “The reason we’re here,” He started, “Is because I saw a calendar today…” Suako felt puzzled. After a short pause he went on, “It’s March seventh... Happy birthday.”

  “Couldn’t you just drink that sunset in. It’s fabulous,” Mei munched on some grapes as she and Kato stood on the balcony of their hotel room, overlooking the city. “Hmmm. Yeah. S’ pose I could,” Kato replied. Mei finally let down her tense nerves. The day had been a little much, and it was time to let it all go she figured. A cluttered mind wouldn’t think clearly the next day. They leaned against the balcony wall, in revered silence. They watched the city turn into that streamline gold again, and like sponges, they soaked it all in.

  Water… warm… mmm… Yu-Lee stood in the shower. The artificial rain ran down her firm skin beading up along the way down. Cleansing and revitalising water washed away the accumulated grime and grit. She closed her eyes and put her face directly in the line of the nozzle’s spray. Pounding water streams bounced off her skin. Showers and baths had been limited on this journey, and this was a pleasure. Yu-Lee just stood unmoving, like a statue, letting the droplets plummet down on her, they seemed to nurture the soul.

  Yu-Lee lathered sweet smelling soap over her torso. As shampoos and gels came into the line of water they emitted their scents of vanilla, lavender and ginseng. The shower washed the soap free of her breasts. Then that vertical wave carried down the rest of her body, accumulating the rest of the bubbles at her feet. Suds spiralled round and round as they went toward the drain. Twisting her hair into a funnel, the water squeezed out and flowed in a stream. The water was milky at first but eventually became clear. This was heavenly bliss, encapsulated as earthly bounty.

  Tomorrow will come… but for now let’s just enjoy the now…

  Chapter 23: The Attack

  Day did not announce itself. The sun hid like a child shielding its eyes, as it rested behind the clouds. Mack was up early as usual regardless of the run, he was habitual. He watched Kairu, Masumi, Yu-Lee, and Jenko in sweet slumber, and he did not wake them. Slipping open the glass door, he stepped out onto a balcony. A chair sat there, which he rested in. He starred at the central building. It was a mass that matched the sky, which looked grim and uninviting. It was darker than the clouds it so eagerly portrayed.

  The day was lightening up, but the clouds did not part. It was nearing eight o’clock, and Mack knew it was time to get going. Stirring from beneath warm sheets the others became re-animated with life. “It’s time to go,” were the only words Mack desired to say before exiting the room to get Kato and the others.

&n
bsp; Mei had awoken early too. Her blood sizzled in her veins, yet she retained at a certain level of calm, collected control. Everyone there had been ready to go since an hour before being beckoned by Mack. Weapons had been sheathed, and bags were packed. Their business guises of the previous day hid their combat garb underneath. They followed Mack back, entered his room.

  The late sleepers made haste in preparing themselves, and were ready in minutes. “Alright everyone. We’re going for the main building. We need to keep a low profile. We’re going through the main doors, as I’m sure you’ve guessed by the way you dressed. We’re going to proceed to the top and go and see the man in charge. Our best plan is to take immediate action. After we’ve taken control of their official, then we’re in control. I want this to be simplistic,” Mack explained.

  “Mei and Suako I need you to be a separate faction. I want you to sneak into their sub-levels. I want you to look for Kazuo,” he continued. “Mack, I think if we’re taking dominion, and seizing this place, then we can look for Kazuo afterward. We need to stick together Mack.” Mei conjured the excuse to keep herself involved in the immediate action. Mack sighed, “Fine,” he reluctantly replied. “After we have control, then we’ll go from there. Just focus on the task at hand. Let’s go,” Mack said.

  The morning chill was damp, like that of spring, yet still cold in winter. Wet snow sloshed beneath shoes, and splashed upward. The busy people frequented the streets as they started their days, busy ignorant people, that went on with their daily activities around them. For those people it was a day as any other, for Mack and his small infiltrating rogue group, it was history.

  Climbing higher and higher the skyscraper building went, as they surrounded their capitol’s government. As they proceeded up the steps of the political-military base, they could hear their footsteps echoing off the front face of the building. It rung in their heads. So close to a long desired enemy base, it became a battle against impulse to draw forth weapons and charge in.

  Composure in check, the doorman opened the glass door for the ‘executives’. Four secretary posts created a broken semicircle around the entranceway. Behind pine desks the four women worked fastidiously, like machines; efficient. Walking past the secretaries, through the carpeted pathway, they went on in. Elevator doors in dull copper lined up in threes on either side of them. Straight ahead an architecturally renowned staircase scaled, made of glass, and rails of the same copper that made the elevator doors. Randomly placed potted plants, like those in the hotel, could be seen around on the main floor. The over all impression of the initial viewing was that of prestige. Deep green wallpaper, like the color of the paint they had seen coating the railway stations, rose above a cream-colored panelling that extended the room at the bottom of the wall.

  There was no time for sight seeing now. It was time to… “Hello, may I help you?” Mack was startled by the strange voice. He turned around to see one of the secretaries standing behind him. He stared blankly at her for a moment, as her intense blue eyes impatiently waited an answer. Mild voices could be heard speaking to her through an ear-piece. Staring at her still, she looked anal with her tightly bound blonde bun of hair and her grey suit. “Ahem. Yes, we are here to see the chairman,” he improvised. “You have an appointment?” she asked bitterly. “We’re with the C.D.F.P. and need to speak with him immediately,” Mack insisted.

  “Oh, he’s been waiting for you sir. I’m so sorry. Please, up to the top floor, then make a right out from the elevator, then go through the doors directly ahead of you. You will have to use the executive elevator. Please follow me. I’ll take you there,” she heightened her pace as she led them around the corner, and to the right, behind the stairs. Mack had been sweating bullets; he felt it a miracle the drill sergeant of a receptionist didn’t catch on to his act.

  The secretary swiped her employee card down a scanner, and an electronic device lit up a green sign that said “Confirmed”. Ding! The doors opened. One by one they stepped into the elevator. Apologetically too, the receptionist got in to escort them up. Kairu whispered to Jenko in the back of the portable room, “Didn’t she say ‘… he’s been waiting for you sir’?” Jenko nodded. The words did not bode well with either of them, but it was too late now.

  Ding! Fump! The doors peeled open. With her usual sharpness, the secretary exited and guided them the way she’d previously dictated would be the path. Ahead tall thick wooden doors, with copper handles, stood like the barriers between them and a plague. Every step was heavily weighted. Closer, closer… there!

  The secretary pushed both doors wide open, and in they entered. Mack’s heart nearly jumped from his chest. Mei was just about ready to toss the cases she held onto, in order to grab her dagger. Tension eroded at their very souls, but then all at once, the stress was cut and left.

  A long oval table stretched out across the length of the massive room. Red cushioned chairs were placed every couple feet around it, encompassing the table. Curtains were drawn back from the floor to ceiling windows that looked out over the city. “Please have a seat. I will get Mr. Kane for you now. It will be just a moment,” pulling the doors closed behind her, she left.

  A mutual sigh blew heavily out. Masumi’s hands were shaking. Kairu plopped down on one of the chairs, next to Yu-Lee. “This is it,” Mei said, conviction was in her eyes and breath. “Just don’t get trigger happy,” Jenko warned. Mack sat at the far end of the table across from where Mr. Kane would be. The cushion swallowed him into the chair. “No un would ‘appin’ t’ have a tension ball, would they?” Kato asked as he sat into his chair. Much needed unilateral laugh spread, but as it faded, there was nothing but silence as they waited.

  Minutes later footsteps approached, and in entered a middle-aged man. He was handsome in his own way, with a thick head of hair, just long of a military cut. He was not a heavy man, nor a thin one, and his perfectly tailored suit screamed money. It was soft in the subdued light of day, navy blue complimented with a lighter blue dress shirt. He looked stern, and had the air of importance following him through the doors.

  Solely, he came in and excused his receptionist. She closed the doors behind herself and left, the click of her heels marking every step as she walked away. “Good morning gentlemen, ladies. I’m Mr. Kane. You can call me Keiji,” he introduced himself as he took a seat in his master chair. His voice spoke supremacy. Mack introduced himself and the others, keeping his true identity a secret. “I was expecting you a half hour ago. I am glad you finally made it. Shall we get right down to it then?” Keiji asked. His patients had obviously been worn down from the wait for his true appointment.

  “Indeed,” Mack nodded. The others kept quiet for the time being. “Right then. As per your building permit proposal, tell your superiors that I accept. They know how to do good business. As for locations…” on and on he went talking about prior proposals, discussed offers, and prices with them. They got an overall view of the C.D.F.P. infiltration, and they learned about the war. It seemed to have been sparked by the C.D.F.P. All and all it became more and more present just how little the Imperials actually knew about what the C.D.F.P. was actually doing.

  It was time was Mack to make his move, he looked to Suako, who took definite notice. Then gave one other glance to Kairu. The message was received. Kairu stood, up breaking Keiji’s concentration, and swiftly he darted to the doors and guarded them. Keiji reached for his intercom to call for security, but Suako had already shoved a knife threw it. It was slightly crushed, and short-circuiting from the impact.

  “Don’t be alarmed Mr. Kane. We are not here to hurt you. We need you to listen to us, that’s all,” Mack explained. “We’re not actually with the C.D.F.P. My real name is Mack Yamamoto…” before he could continue Keiji interrupted him, and looked fierce. “I see. You’re the ones the C.D.F.P. is after. What do you want?” Keiji seemed to be calm. Keiji was a businessman through and through, and he must’ve realised he had no other options available at the time. For a man in his positio
n, he was quite respectful in listening with his full attention.

  So, they gave it to him straight, the whole story. They told him about the rise of the C.D.F.P. and how the world outside of the Imperial continent was falling to destruction and darkness. Each person shared their horror story about the atrocities the C.D.F.P. had committed. Mack told him about the documents he’d found during his time employed by the C.D.F.P. military division. If Mr. Kane had been a sponge, he was dry when he walked in there earlier, and now was sopping wet with information. Finally, Mack explained why they were there, “Originally, we thought you were involved when we heard about the civil war and proposed building of the generators. It seemed to me that you didn’t know the effects. You see, you live with your entire continent protected by an air dome. This has been slowing down the effects of the carbon dioxide poisoning. I say ‘slowing’ because on our way here there some… bizarre weather…”

  Mack remembered his eye when he’d mentioned the twisters, but he fought it back to keep his composure, “On the East Green Continent it’s nothing but a wasteland. Outside of the domes it feels like death has his hand on your shoulder. It’s a struggle just to breathe and-” Bamm! The doors flew in, sending Kairu flying to the floor. Several C.D.F.P. soldiers swarmed in, guns readied. Mack and the others were quick to draw their guns forth. The game was on!

  Thud! Thud! Thud! Yoshida walked into the room. His arms were crossed and he had a wide grin on his rough masculine face. The site of him enraged Mack, and he snared at the general. “Long time no see,” Yoshida said. “No shit,” Mack angrily replied. He aimed his gun right at Yoshida, but did not fire; the tense predicament did not allow for one bullet to fly alone. It would be a chain reaction. “Now, now Mack, there is no need for profanity,” Yoshida cockily said, with a grin still on his face, “Oh, and by the way, thanks for the consideration old friend…” Yoshida reached in his pocket. Mack looked confused. Yoshida tossed him his I.D. tags that he’d left behind in Old Ryoko. Mack just looked down at them as they slid to a stop on the table.