Torbin the Younger blurt out. “We’re sorry, Grandpa. But some kids at school were saying it was all a fake story, you killing the Squid with the knife.”
“Yeah,” John blurted out. “We got in a fight…”
“So that’s what happened,” said Marian. “Grandfather Torbin, we’re…”
“Fighting already? You must take after your granddad here.”
Torbin looked at the three boys.
“But fighting for family honor, huh. I got in fights for worse reasons.” He looked at Aleks.
“Well, my love. Your house, your rules. What’s the punishment?”
All the three young boys’ lower lips began to quiver with emotion. Grandma Aleks talked about trolls and fighting Eaters while pregnant, and she was not afraid to still smack their large fathers—her son—if they got out of line. She was the Terror. And they knew they were in deep kimchee.
Aleks looked at Torbin, and a twinkle appeared in her eye.
“You know, my husband. Part of this is your fault.”
“Mine? How in the hell…”
“You have never really told us about everything that happened when you took on that Squid with your Ka-Bar. Not even me.”
“You mean he did not tell you that I dropped him on his head?” Andrew had come back with Miriam.
“Oh, hell. Thanks, buddy. Just air all the laundry…”
“Is this when they saved our Mommies and Aunt Kat?” Aleksandra the younger asked.
Kat shivered a bit and William patted her hand.
“No, Honey. That came later.”
“Well, my brother,” Ichiro interjected. “I arrived after the fact, when a certain female Coastie showed up, from whom I had to save you.”
“So that is why she was angry for a while,” Abigail jumped in. “Heidi was angry that you, Ichi, stopped her from kicking Torbin’s behind.”
“Why, yes. That is exactly…”
“Oh alright. damnit.” Torbin paused for a moment. He looked around at all the eyes looking at him, and saw love and respect. He had a bit of a lump in his throat as he realized just how damned lucky he was, especially this day. Aleks put her hand on his shoulder. She could tell, after all these years, that he was realizing just what his family meant to him. She did not want him to become too filled with emotion. After all, tough Marines don’t cry. Except in front of their wives.
“I think it is time for some scotch.”
“That would be nice, Aleks.” He looked up and smiled at her, telling her with his eyes how much he loved and needed her.
As Aleks poured him a scotch, Torbin held up his K-Bar.
“First of all, this is not just a knife. This, is a fighting blade. One I picked up while I was finishing basic training, well before the Squids arrived. So, it has a lot of history.” Torbin paused, sipped his scotch.
“But on that day, as things began to go to hell in a handbasket, a Squid ambushed one of my men. So, I went to ambush the Squid right back….”
The Circle of Life went on, and stayed the same in many ways. Humans, family sitting around telling tales of adventure, life and love.
As it always was. As it always should be.
CHAPTER 50
EPILOGUE
A month after Aleks’ and Torbin’s anniversary, Princess Akiko of the Free Japan royal family sat in a great Sons of the North Hall in Poulsbo, Washington. With a long history of Norse influence and Nordic Family Heritage, the New Vikings had taken to the town on the Kitsap Peninsula as if it were the Norse Capital of the U.S. west coast. So of course, when Princess Akiko had announced her new book, Banshee: Madam President’s Own Daughters of Steel.
The Complete History of the 101st Special Attack Unit, and the Sisters of Steel, was about to be released, some New Vikings had contacted a certain New Samurai and his Lady of Steel wife and called in a big favor. Thus, Abigail Yamamoto had called her adopted sister and fellow Banshee Princess Akiko and asked could she please have her initial release event in Poulsbo, Washington? It was on the west coast, closer to Japan, and a Poulsbo-based publisher run by a German family had been the initial U.S. publisher to push her for completion and for publication in the United States.
So, here she was, the Japanese Princess in her dress uniform from her days as an officer in the Banshees, with a stack of stick drives and hardback books to sell and sign. The Hall was huge, as was the table she sat behind. Everything around her was made of carved wood, including an exact replica of the original Sergeant Fuzz carved memorial which sat in the entrance way of the Banshee Barracks at Malmstrom Armed Forces Base, Montana. The sight of the Sgt. Fuzz statue brought back bittersweet memories of comrades and conflicts. Her husband had stayed in Japan, as he knew that Akiko would no doubt be reunited with many Sisters of Steel. This was her time, a place in her past before he had met and married her, into which he did not want to intrude. And for that, Akiko loved him even more.
There was no reason to hire special security as former Banshees and local New Vikings had popped out of the woodwork, quickly letting everyone there to not mess with the Princess. The Banshees made it look like “old home week” and she knew that her hotel suite would be full tonight with old comrades and Sisters tonight, as they drank toasts and kept the rest of the hotel occupants awake with the signature Banshee Scream.
The line of people buying books for signature seemed to be never ending. The fact that her book The Great Compromise, the standard history of the Tschaaa Infestation by which all other works were measured, was starting its third major publication run did not hurt. In fact, there was talk of a major mini series on satellite and web television based on it. Like the Holocaust, people felt there was a sufficient passage of time that the complete story of the Tschaaa Invasion and Aftermath could be told, warts and all, without opening vicious wounds. The fact that the Banshees was the first organization to work hand in tentacle with Squids also led to a request in the very beginning of a Tschaaa translation of this new work. As she thought of the Breeder pilot known as “Dorothy”, she realized she would not be surprised if some Tschaaa showed up for the book event. All the faces began to blur as Princess Akiko’s fingers began to cramp from signing each physical book. She also began to run out of original forms of “best wishes”. But, ever with the Samurai Spirit, she continued.
As another book appeared in front of her, she looked up and thought she saw a familiar face standing behind the young blond woman who had presented her with a book for signing. It took her just a moment to recognize Richard Rice, son of military doctor and Sister Banshee Rica Rice. The normally reserved Princess broke into a broad grin and stood up.
“Richard-san! It is so good to see you! Please, step forward.”
Richard Rice, “Battle Buddy” of Torbin Bender, had grown into a fine dark haired and handsome famous surgeon, one of the first to operate on both Tschaaa and humans. Many looked on him as a saint-like peacemaker between the two once warring species, especially as his father had been killed by the Tschaaa before he was born. His skill was such that no one attempted to replace him with some advanced alien or human technology
“How is your mother? I have not talked to her for some time. Is she here?”
Richard smiled back. “She is still working at the Hospital at Malmstrom, now as a Senior Medical Instructor. She could not break free, as she has a new class of young battle surgeons in training.”
“Yes. We have the Great Compromise, but we humans still have trouble getting along with each other, do we not?” Akiko noticed the young lady in front of her was looking at Richard.
“This pretty young lady is a friend of yours, Richard-san?”
“Oh, my manners! My mother would be fuming at me if she were here. May I present my fiancée, Norma Harkonnen.”
“You are to be married. How time flies! Your mother is very happy, as we all want our children to marry, and to have children.” Princess Akiko gave a short bow and presented her hand to shake. The young woman took it, suddenly b
egan to cry as she then kissed it.
“Please, what is wrong, Norma-san? If there is…”
“You saved my mother that day at the hospital…” she said between sobs. “She would have died on Hell Day if not for you and your sword. I came here to thank you…” She sobbed more, Richard grabbing her to prevent her from falling.
Princess Akiko quickly took charge, as only a Royal Warrior Princess could. Banshees appeared and helped the crying young lady to a back room. Akiko told those still in line that she need to take a break, promised she would be back to sign everyone’s book.
“And that is a Royal Promise,” she said with a smile, which elicited some laughter.
The Royal Princess went into the back room where former Banshee Officers Dagan McDowell and Lupe Pena were putting some cool packs on Norma Harkonnen’s forehead as Richard held her hand.
“Richard, if you wish, you can take her upstairs to my suite…”
“No, please,” the young blonde broke in. “I am…so sorry. It just all came rushing back to me. Please forgive my weakness…”
“I will not here any talk of weakness, young lady. I too cried at times. You should have seen me the day my brother died. Or after we had rescued General Reed’s wife and sons…”
At that thought, the Royal Princess felt a lump in her throat, her eyes began to mist.
She sat down next to the new fiancée, took her hand from Richard.
“We have all had to be tough.” Then she paused. “While I was researching my literary works, I came across many quotes and comments. One was that true strength is smiling when you want to cry, laughing to hide the pain, going on no matter what.”
The Princess sighed. “That was the attitude, the ‘face’ that we in the Free Japan Royal Family were told was a must, a requirement if the Japanese people were to bear and survive the Tschaaa Infestation. But, that was then.”
Akiko swept her hand around, “This is now. We can now afford to show the fear, the pain, and the loss we suffered over some twenty five years ago. So, no, you are not weak for crying. You are human. We cry. The tears of a certain Coast Guard woman helped to show a young female Tschaaa that, like them, we suffered loss, hurt when our loved ones were killed.”
She looked into Norma’s eyes. “The young female, the potential Breeder was the one we now call Saint Cassandra. She helped build the bridge that stopped the War.”
Everyone sat quietly. Then Akiko rose. “You rest here with Richard-san. Tell him to explain to you about his nickname that Torbin Bender gave him, something about punching a man in his private parts.”
Norma looked at Richard. “You never mentioned anything like that.”
Richard smiled. “Well I guess the cat’s out of the bag. So, here goes. Right after Torbin’s wife, Aleks, gave birth…”
Akiko and the two former Banshees rose and left while Norma was focused on her love.
As the three walked out, Dagan wiped her eyes and blew her nose. “Anyone ever tell you, Princess, you have the soul of a Texan?”
“Hell, she’s Mexican!” Lupe protested.
“Split the difference, then. Texican. Okay?”
“Yeah, battle buddy. I guess so.”
Akiko linked arms with her two Sisters. “I am neither. And I am both. For I am a Banshee! Come, my Sisters. I made a promise to the waiting crowd. And a Samurai Princess always keeps her promises.”
As they walked back to the signing table, someone started a single, timed clapped. Then it was two. Then it was three. Soon, the large assemblage was clapping in time.
“I guess they overheard the young blonde’s story,” Lupe Pena said.
“Yeah, you are definitely a hero now,” added Dagan.
“I just did what was necessary, nothing more,” protested the Princess. “I am just a historian.”
“Yeah, right. Torbin Bender said something like that. And I have some bottom land near El Paso to sell you.”
“No you don’t. We Mexicans are taking that back.”
“We? You have Speedy Gonzalez in your pocket, Lupe?”
“Please! You are going to make this Princess laugh in front of all these people.”
“No worse than crying, is it?”
Akiko then grinned, began to laugh. “Laughter is the best medicine, isn’t it, Sisters?”
Human life on Earth continued, as it would for millennia to come.
Typhoon of Steel Page 55