School Time for Death: Tendrils of Control (Death Dealer Saga Book 4)

by Jessie Wolf

“Priscilla, and the rest of you, whenever you’re in one of our classes or when it is about those subjects you should use Mrs. Nakatoma, outside of class you can use ‘Lady Maiha and Lady Allison’ do you understand?”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Nakatoma. I do have one more question.” Alice nodded for her to go on. “How is it that you and your wife have the needed credentials to be able to teach Citizenship and Moral Conduct, plus Modern History?”

  Doctor Brim must have been waiting for this to come up. As he practically pounced on the poor girl. “Trust me young lady, when I say they are more than qualified. However to easy your concerns I will tell you again as you were not paying attention earlier. The Lady Maiha has a Master’s Degree in in both of those fields, while the Lady Allison has the equivalence of a Bachelor’s in Modern History and is a combat veteran. As a matter of fact all of the members of the Nakatoma family that are here are combat veterans.” The look on his face was one that would basically state that he would brook no arguments. “Now, if I were you four I would do my best to stay out of my office. Good evening ladies. Ladies’ Nakatoma would you please remain?”

  After the four young girls had left. “Now that, that unpleasantness is taken care of. Lady Maiha, I must admit I was not expecting you to so openly declare war on the ‘Heathers’ the way you did this evening. Would you care to explain why?”

  Sighing I sat down in one of the chairs in his office. “I will be honest with you, Doctor Brim. I was not planning on doing what I did this evening. In fact I was not even going to let them know I was gunning for them. However certain events forced my hand in the matter.”

  “And just what were those events?” he was genuinely concerned from the sounds of it.

  “As you know sir I and all my family have active Death Dealer AIs, since we have been on campus each of my family members have been reporting failures in the video security cameras all over the campus. At first I thought it might have been a routine maintenance problem they were working on. However when my AI warned me that the cameras for the second floor hallway of the sophomore dorms had been placed in a loop I knew there was a security breach, but not by whom. It was the attack by those four girls that gave me the final pieces of the puzzle. The ‘Heathers’ have somehow figured out how to either block, loop, or flat out shutdown the security feed for every camera on campus.”

  “Then how is it there is video evidence of what went on this afternoon?””

  “That is simple sir. Our AIs reset the cameras therefor breaking the loop and allowing the security section to record what happened.” I told him honestly. What I didn’t say was that it was my AI that did the actual recording and who uploaded it to their server.

  “Damn, if what you’re telling me is in fact the truth and I have no doubt as to that, then I have a major security issue that needs to be addressed, and now.” I watched as he reached a crossed his desk and activated his M office com system. “Security Chief Bronson please.” After waiting for a few moments the other end of a was answered.

  “Security Chief Bronson here, how can I help you?” came a very surly reply.

  “Security Chief Bronson this is headmaster Brim can I please speak to you in my office.”

  “Yes, sir. I can be there in 15 minutes is that acceptable sir?”

  “Yes that’s fine thank you all see you then.” Dr. Brown turned and looked back at me and Alice. There was a look of complete disbelief upon his face. I can tell that he and I never expected to have such a blatant security breach within the school itself. Not really caring whether we were there or not, he reached into his desk for a pack of cigarettes, ashtray, and a lighter. After removing a cigarette and taking his time to light it even leaning back in his chair and looked at us both. “Yes I know I should not be smoking on school grounds, but right now I have more pressing things on my mind. Besides, I know for fact that you two young ladies have seen more than your fair share of debauchery on the battlefield. Hell, the two of you have probably smoked, drank, and raised more hell than eighty-five percent of my staff.”

  I know for fact that I could probably lie right about now, and get away with it. However for some reason I just can’t do that. “Yes, sir, and you would be correct in that assessment. By chance, could you spare two of those?” With a shake of his head he picks up the pack and hands it to me. Making a gesture as if to say go right ahead. I quickly pull out one for me and for Alice, after handing her, hers I light both. After handing both the cigarettes and lighter back to the headmaster, I sit back and enjoy the first cigarette I have, had in the past two weeks. “Thank you, sir. Now what are we going to do about the security breaches?”

  “That is the sixty-four credit question, and one that my Security Chief better have an answer for. I do not like the idea of a student being able to just bypass what is our first line of security.” The man was practically spitting nails he was so mad. “I don’t care who is at fault for these breaches, but they are going to stop, and now.” We were interrupted by a knock at the door to his office. “Come in.” A rather nondescript man opened the door and entered. He was maybe five ten, around two hundred and fifty pounds, with a slightly balding head of sandy brown hair. I would put him in his mid to late forties and in need of losing a few pounds.

  “You sent for me, Mister Brim?” the man had an arrogance about him that was not good. I could already see he needed to be replaced.

  “First off, Chief Bronson, it’s Headmaster or Doctor Brim, and you can drop the attitude or you can start looking for a new job?!” oh boy, I knew he was upset but not this upset.

  “Um… Sorry, sir. I didn’t realize you had been made our new Head or I would not have been disrespectful.”

  “You want to explain why?”

  “It’s simple, Headmaster. I don’t like it when the teaching staff is accusing my security officers of incompetence when we have made numerous reports of security breaches and nothing gets done to fix the problems.”

  Doctor Brim quickly changed his line of inquiry. “Would you care to start over?”

  “Yes sir.” Taking a few seconds to compose himself the security chief started over. “You want to see me about something, Headmaster Brim?”

  “Yes I do, Chief. It seems that we have a problem with the security cameras on campus. Do you have any idea as to why?”

  “Unfortunately, sir I do. I also don’t think you’re going to like the answer.”

  “Please, understand Chief, I have nothing but the highest respect for you and your officers. So don’t be afraid of giving me the answer to any question I ask. I would rather know we have a problem than get hit in the ass by a surprise attack or worse.”

  “Very well, sir. Over the last seven years there have been a number of times where the feed from our cameras have been high jacked, looped, or outright blocked. Every time this has happened the officer on duty has logged a full complaint concerning the security software on the server for the cameras. Each time the former Headmistress asked who was causing the interference’s. Whenever we have asked to conduct an investigation into these breaches we were told in no uncertain terms we were to stay away from the students.” I could tell that the man had his suspicions of or knew who was at the bottom of the problems.

  So did Doctor Brim. “Well, you have my full permission to track down and bring in those who are responsible. I don’t care who it is. I want these breaches stopped.”

  “I’ll get right on it sir.” He started for the door, but stopped short. “There is one more thing you should know, sir. Our security on the security network server is ten years out of date.”

  When I heard this I damned near came unglued. “Excuse me, sir. Did you say that the network security server is ten years out of date?”

  “May I know your name, young lady before I answer that?”

  “Oh, sorry about that, allow me introduce the young ladies, Chief. On the right is the Head of House Nakatoma, the Lady Maiha Mana Nakatoma, and on her left is her wife, the Lady Allison Ann Wellingt
on y’ Nakatoma.” At the Security Chief’s look of surprise the Headmaster just smiled. “Yes, Chief, you heard me correctly. Our current System Governor and her wife are students and also part of the teaching staff here. At least until they graduate in a few years.”

  “That’s not all they are sir. I know for a fact that the Ladies happen to be some of the first second generation Death Dealers. What I want to know is why they are here?” I can tell he is only concerned for the students that attend this school.

  “Excuse me, Headmaster, but I believe I should be the one to answer that question.” I standup and address the schools Security Chief. “Sir, we are here for more than one reason, however the one that concerns us at this moment is that I and my family are here at the request of His Imperial Majesty to provide a security detail for his daughter. Before you ask, yes, Her Highness the Princess Daniela is enrolled at this school.”

  “Oh Bloody Hell! Now I know we have to upgrade our systems.” I can tell he is upset over the poor security systems, but I need to know why they’re in such a state first.

  “Sir, can you please tell me why they haven’t been upgraded as they should have been?”

  The man gave out a heavy grunt of disgust with his answer. “Every time I have put in a request for the needed parts and system upgrades the Board of Regents have turned them down. Saying that there just weren’t enough funds in the schools coffers to pay for them. I have been able to get to the needed funds for repairs, but that is all. For anything else the answer has been an unequivocal no.”

  “Well, I can assure you that is no longer the case. In fact I would like for you to send the request for those upgrades, and I mean all of them, in again. As a matter of fact just go ahead and order the upgrades and send the bills to the Head Chairman of the Board.” I know I had just gone around the Board’s authority by telling him to just get the upgrades done, but this was an emergency. One that needed to be addressed now, rather than later. “If they won’t pay the bill, which I’m sure they will, just bring it me, and I’ll pay it out of my House’s coffers and bill the Empire.”

  “My Lady Nakatoma, we are talking several thousand credits now just to get a system that is up to standards.” The man was now afraid of losing his job by spending so much funding.

  “Then get one that is top of the line. I don’t care what the cost is. There will be no half measures taken when it comes to the safety and security of this school from now on.” I was passed the point of pissativity. I was tired of all the half stepping that was going around here and the pandering to a select few students. It was time for some changes around here. Starting with the substandard security and if I have to use my position as the Head of House Nakatoma to get the needed upgrades done, then so be it; I was through playing with the bureaucracy.

  “Um… Lady Maiha, if I do that I’ll be looking for a new position before the sun sets tomorrow.”

  “No, Chief, you won’t. You see, as the Head of House Nakatoma, the Lady Maiha is technically the Head Chairman of the Board of Regents. Her mother is currently serving as her representative while she is enrolled here.” Thankfully the Headmaster was more than willing to explain that little bit of information. “So you have no need to worry, Chief. Just get those upgrades done, and find out who has been hacking our current security system.”

  Chief Bronson just smiled, tossed our Headmaster a salute, gave Alice and me a quick bow and was out the door. We could hear him hollering down the hallway for his next in command as he went. Looking over at the Headmaster “I take it that he’s just about fed up with certain practices around here as you are, Doctor Brim?”

  The chuckle that came from him let me know far more than his answer did. “My Lady, you have a gift for understatement.”

  “Why thank you, sir. I’ll take that as a compliment, but if you think I have a gift for understatement you should hear my mama when she gets going. Now, there is someone with the gift.” I saw smiling the whole time. I was truly complimented by what he had said.

  “That is truly something to see, sir.” Alice just had to get in a quick one. “I have seen my mother-in-law in action. That woman can deliver a one-liner faster than most accomplished comedians on any stage in the known universe can.” She dead panned. Now normally I would be trying to cover for my mama, but Alice is only telling the truth.

  “Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.” His laughing at this simple statement is probably the most honest expression of mirth this man has had in months. “No offence, Lady Allison, but I find that hard to believe. I just can’t picture the poised and refined Lady I met this afternoon delivering straight lines like some common comedian.”

  “Trust me, sir. My mama can give any jester, fool, or comedian a run for their money.” I know it’s hard for most people who meet my mama to be able to see her lighter side as she is always so refined in her bearing, and appearance. She is just one of those women that define what it means to be a true Lady. “If you should ever get the chance to have a war of words with her, be prepared for an uphill battle. As she has a razor sharp tongue and a wit to match. I learned how to turn a person’s words around on them and use them against them all from her. What you saw just a little while ago was nothing compared to what she can do.”

  When he hears this he sobers up quite quickly. “If what you say is true, then I don’t ever want to be on her bad side in that kind of war, even in jest.”

  Now it was my turn to have a laugh, however I covered my mouth with my hand and giggled into it as have I have been taught to do, like a proper lady of House Nakatoma, when in the presence of an elder. Yes I know it is old fashioned and stereotypical, but that is the way of my family. Even my own daughter Ohmei behaved in this way. Even though I do not totally agree with all of my family’s customs I will honor them as they are a part of who I am now. It is something I cannot escape no matter what I do, from now until the time of my death, I shall be Nakatoma Maiha Mana, Head of House Nakatoma, Protector of the Nakatoma Family, and First High Lady of the Death Dealers. As such I am expected to act and appear in a certain manner, so I’ll behave as I have been taught and just grin and bear it.

  Looking at me our Headmaster just shook his head. “You know, Lady Maiha, there are times when I forget that you are here to learn how to be a lady. Oh, I can still see the rough and tumble ‘tomboy’, but then you’ll turn around and behave in a manner befitting a Lady of your station, as you just now did. I can see why your mama was adamant about your classes focusing on the more esoteric studies. What you really need is a little refinement and no one will ever see your less than lady like side. That is unless they face you on a battlefield. I doubt we’ll ever be able to remove or change that part of your personality. I truly feel sorry for whoever is stupid enough to take you on in open warfare. I can see that you are a true tactician like your grandfather. However, you also have the same short coming that he did.”

  “Excuse me, sir, but may I know what that is? I know he was never one to put up with all the politics and other BS that runs rampant among the High Command.”

  “And that is exactly why he was always at odds with the Military High Command. I am sorry if you find what I am about to say disturbing. Your grandfather was brilliant field commander, but he always failed in the political arena. If he had only learned how to be more of a politician then he might have been able to make the changes that are just now happening.” The man must have truly respected my ‘grandfather’, or I should say my former self. “I and quite a few other military men and women respect the man called ‘Death’. By the way would you know how he earned that rather unorthodox title? I have always wanted to know.”

  Over the years I have been asked this question only three times. The first time by a young woman who I married, the second time by a very rude reporter just after a battle on some forgotten planet, and the last by the young girls that have become my sisters and family just after one of the hardest battles I have ever fought in my very long life. Looking up at this man who I know
absolutely nothing about other than he is another veteran I find myself wanting to answer him. To tell him the truth of how I came by that name.

  “Yes sir, I do, but that is a discussion for another time as it will take a while to tell the tale of how the man who would be called Death earned his name. Shall we set a date for when we both have more time for you to hear it?”

  “Lady Maiha, I would be more than willing to sit and hear of how your grandfather earned his nick name. How about this weekend over lunch at my apartment here on campus? Say fourteen hundred?”

  I thought it over for a moment then looked over at Alice who nodded her head yes. “If you don’t mind my wife and sisters joining us?”

  “Not at all, I would love to meet the young ladies that are not only the first female Death Dealers, but also some of the first of the second generation as well. You’ll have to forgive me, but I have often wondered what it was like to be a Death Dealer.”

  “That reminds me, sir. Did you know there are seven former Death Dealers in the schools security staff?” I needed to know how much he did know about the schools security staff. If only to assess any potential threats.

  “You’re talking about the night time guards. Yes, I was made aware of them when I took over as the Headmaster this afternoon. Miss Gail gave me a rundown of all the staff members. Too say I was surprised would be an understatement. I had no idea we had so many highly trained individuals on staff here. Oh and you might want to know seeing as how you’re responsible for the Princess security there is one more active Death Dealer on campus besides Professor Recco.”

  “Um… when did you find this out sir but yes I would like to know who this other Death Dealer is. If only to know who I might be able to count on in case of an emergency.”

  “Our physical education teacher, Mr. Kyle Hannes, I have already approached him about his being an active Death Dealer. It seems that he was in the same unit as Professor Recco and has the same type of AI. Personally I am rather relieved to have them here, now that I know how many high profile students we have attending this school.”