by Jessie Wolf
A very shocked Gin looks at me like I have suddenly grown a second head. it’s the fact that I have never snapped at any of them in the manner that I just had was more than enough for them to understand just how angry I was. As Gin bows to me “My Lady, all of those who are here have gathered in the main dining room.”
“Thank you, Gin. Kina did you get their names and units for me?”
“Yes, my Lady. I wrote them down as they arrived. There are a total of fifteen commanders waiting your pleasure.” She tells me while handing me the list of names and units. As I look down the list I see that there are more mercenary units than I had hoped for. Where I had only expected six mercenary units there were eight. Two more than Col. Fujiyama had originally told me we could get. Then there were the two Death Dealer heavy divisions that I had not counted on. I had only expected the two light divisions to show up. Instead I had two heavy and two light. Added to all of that were the three House Nakatoma units. Thank the Goddess the House compound covers more than eighty square hectares. If it wasn’t as large as it was there would be no way for us to hold all of these men and women. My biggest concern was how I was going to feed and care for them all.
As I look down at the names of the mercenaries I see some of the finest units ever known. McCall’s Raiders, Hogan’s Heroes, Kelly’s Outlaws, the Green Hornets, Hawkeye’s heartbreakers, Benjamin’s Bastards, F Troop Scouts, and Bilko’s Bandits. To say that I was surprised by the caliber of troops that have shown up was amazing. Every one of these units was in the top ten percent of combat units. Some of the most hunted for mercenaries out there. Add to that the four Death Dealer divisions and I have a combat force with which I could storm the very Gates of Haven its self.
Between the eight mercenary units, the four Death Dealer divisions and my own House units I have the equivalent of a full Army Task Force. All that against three Regimental Combat Teams, this literally gives me a six to one advantage over the three rebel Houses. If I can make sure their air power is taken care of then the battle is mine. Looking back down at the units listed there I realize that there are four full squadrons of helo fast attack craft. There is my air power. One hundred of the finest aircraft piloted by some of the best pilots in the known universe.
Now I just have to get the rebels to come at us the way I wanted them to. If what mama proposed worked then they will have no choice, but to do exactly that. To make sure they come in from the open end of the range I need to place the four Death Dealer divisions along the walled edge of the compound. From that position once the battle is joined they can easily move to support those of us lining the range. It’s perfect.
Handing the list back to Kina. “Thank you, Kina. If you ladies will excuse me, I have work to do.” I head into the main dining room to be greeted by the assembled leaders of the military force that now surrounded my home. Fifteen of the finest leaders. Every last one of them a battle proven asset. Men that I know I would be able to count on when the shit hit the fan. Clearing my throat “Gentlemen, thank you for coming. I would like to extend the thanks of House Nakatoma to each and every one of you. Some of you are here by the order of the Emperor to put down what has become an out and out rebellion. While the rest of you have come here of your own accord. So before we get to the business at hand please take your seats and enjoy what will most likely be one the last few meals we’ll enjoy that doesn’t come with unwanted sand, bugs, and all the other usual pleasantries that come with being on campaign.” The chuckles that come for these men at the way I described what goes with most meals that go along with a soldiers lot in life, especially while on campaign.
There was one surprise amongst them, one General Michael Star. Seeing him brightened my day. However I still had to keep my cover story. There is too much old hatred for cyborgs to chance losing even one of these men to an unrealistic phobia. “Uncle Mike, man am I glad to see you here. Grandpa always said that if there was a shit storm about to happen you would be there.” I say out loud so he would know who I was as I walked up to him.
Not one to miss a beat. “Ah, my beautiful flower, Maiha Owens. I’m sorry, I mean Lady Nakatoma Maiha Mana. I forgot that you have taken on the position of Head of house for the Nakatoma family. Not to mention inheriting your grandfather’s position as the First High Lord of Death Dealers or I should say First High Lady.” Turning the other commanders in the room “Gentlemen, allow me to introduce our Commanding Officer. The very first of her kind. The granddaughter of J.J. Owens the First High Lord of Death Dealers for the Delta sector, Maiha Owens-Nakatoma second generation Death Dealer. Yes gentlemen you heard correctly, she is the first of a new generation of new Death Dealers. Hopefully once we have dealt with the rebels we will be able to begin training the next generation of Death Dealers. I have heard from His Imperial Majesty himself on this matter.” Turning to look me in the eye. “Lady Nakatoma, I know that your grandfather gave you the secret of your configuration. Is there any way you would consent to giving that secret to our scientists?”
Now this was one question I didn’t have to think about. The type of fire power that is inherent with the second configuration was not for everyone. The thought of just handing it over to the Empire was not one I was ready to make. “When this conflict is over I’ll think about it. There are still a few bugs that need to be worked out. For now, Uncle Mike, let us sit down to launch. I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry.” I turn around and head for my seat. Alice is standing next to the seat besides mine. Taking my seat I wait for everyone else to sit before waving to the servers to begin. Once everyone was served I began to tell them of the battle plan. Over the next hour we went over the pros and cons of the plan. The biggest one had been how to get the rebels to attack at the time and place we want them to. The second one was for some reason most of the commanders here did not wish to place the lives of their men in my hands. Most only saw me as an untried, snot nosed, unqualified, and untrained kid. Not someone you would usually trust in a combat situation. However this idea was quickly crushed by Col. Fujiyama, and Maj. Howard. It was Maj. Howard who truly put the slam on their objections by playing a recording’s of my first solo run through the practice range, to be followed by the one of me and my family. To say that everyone here was floored would be an understatement. First there was the fact that they all saw the amount of firepower that I possess, then that every one of my family were just as powerful as I am. The very idea that there were five second gen Death Dealers in one family and they were all women was for some too much to grasp.
The four Death Dealer Generals were amazed by the display of firepower that a secondary configuration Death Dealer can bring to a fight. Even these battle hardened men were shocked. The rest were simply astounded by what they had just seen. After that no one raised any questions about my ability to lead men and women into combat.
Toward the end of lunch mama and Top showed up. Coming to the head of the table she leans down and whispers in my ear. “I just got through sending out the wedding invitations.” Looking up at her she has a very faint smile. When she nods her head yes to my unspoken question I begin to giggle. At the questioning looks of the commanders I decide to let them in on the bait.
“Gentleman, as of a half hour ago the Grand Lady Nakatoma Dai Etsu announced her wedding to First Sergeant James Bailey to take place tomorrow morning.” I tell them. I watch as each one grasps the significance of what had just been said. The clamoring to congratulate them was infectious. Along with the congratulations also came the promises to destroy any who would try to stop their happy event. “That! Gentlemen this is how we’ll get them to attack where and when we want them to. They have to stop their marriage or lose all hope of controlling this planet.”
Once things settled down again I went on to explain how House Light, Moore, and Daniels needed to stop the marriage. After a few more questions and ironing out how I wanted them to place their troops before morning I called an end to the meeting. After saying good bye to the mercenary commanders I
wanted for the Death Dealer Generals to corner me about the secondary configuration up grades that mama and my sisters have. Waving for them to follow me back to mine and Alice’s rooms I head that way.
As I pass our maids in the hallway I tell Nia and Kina to bring coffee and tea to our rooms. Taking Alice by the hand I led the way. Gin sensing something big was going on rushed ahead of us to make sure the rooms were set up for receiving guests.
Once inside our rooms I had Alice take a seat in one of the two chairs that were set out for our normal seating while I took the other. This simple act let the Generals know where she now stood in the hierarchy of the House hold. It should be clear as day to everyone that Alice was now my equal and not to be ignored.
“So gentlemen, you want the secret of how a secondary configuration Omega/assault class Death Dealer survived without going crazy?” I saw the looks of shock cross all but Mike’s face at this revelation. “I hate to tell you this, but I’m not a secondary configuration. What I am is a proto type that was illegally assumed by my grandfather. As you all know after he left the service of our Emperor he went into weapons research. You see I am a Gift-of-Life child. My mother was Captain Ohmei Owens-Steel Heart and my father Captain Richard Steel Heart. A while back my grandfather made a search of the Gift-of-Life data banks looking for a Life-take from my mother and father. What he found was that they had made illegal deposits in a non-military bank on Atlas Prime. When he found this out he naturally had me made to replace him in the event of his death. Three years ago he made the breakthrough in the new nanite technology that allowed him to give me the new second generation Death Dealer configuration. He did so in direct violation of Empyreal Military Law that states no woman shall be allowed to become a Death Dealer.”
“Well he obviously didn’t believe in in that little piece of legality. What I want to know is why he did it?” asked one of the three Generals that I did not know.
“Excuse me General, but would you mind introducing yourself?” I asked him.
“Sorry, my Lady Maiha, I didn’t mean to be rude. I’m General Johnathan Fitz of the one hundred and first light Division.”
“Thank you General Fitz. To answer your question it was quite simple. He knew he was going to die soon, and could no longer protect me. There was more than one death threat made against me. So to give me what protection he could he devised the second gen Death Dealer package. This way no matter what happened to him I would always be able to protect myself.”
“Thank you, Lady Nakatoma, for explaining why he did it. As you know I knew your grandfather better than the others. I would like to offer my condolences for the loss of your grandfather. He was a near and dear friend, almost like a brother to me. I once told him if he needed anything just call, I now make that same offer to you now.” Mike was making me uncomfortable with all this talk of the past. Thankfully he changed the topic and put the other three in their place. “As I said earlier you are First High Lady of the Death Dealers for the Delta sector. This has been approved by His Imperial Majesty yesterday morning by Imperial Courier. I have been waiting for a chance to deliver this in private.” He reached inside of his uniform jacket and pulled out a folded and sealed piece of paper.
Once he had handed it over to me I looked down to see that it was an Imperial letter. I could tell by the seals that adorned the outside of the letter. Breaking open the seals I found a letter from the Emperor Himself. What I read was enough to scare the crap out of me.
To: Her Ladyship Nakatoma Maiha Mana, First High Lady of the Death Dealer for Delta Sector, Head of House Nakatoma and its Rightful Defender.
It has come to my attention young Lady that you are really the once right honorable Commander J.J. Owens First High Lord of the Death Dealers. In recognition for your long years of service to me and mine I hereby reward you. For this moment forward you shall be known as the First Lady of the Death Dealers.
Also the provision against women serving in the Death Dealers has been lifted. You have shown that women are just as capable as men when it comes to being a Death Dealer. Also I request of you to share the amazing new technology you have pioneered with the second generation Death Dealer configuration.
Yes I know of your illegal use of nanites to give your new family the power of a second gen Death Dealer. I don’t care how this came about or why. What I do care about is that only Death Dealers be allowed access to this technology. We have not always done what is right by our subjects, but I do try.
I would ask one more thing of you before bidding you farewell. As you undoubtedly know by now my youngest daughter is in the care of your family. If you can, please show her what it means to first be a citizen of the Universe, and then what it takes to be a truly great leader. I know that I have asked a lot of you and your family. More than any Emperor has a right to ask. As your family already defends my throne against all who would try to take it from me. However I must once again ask the impossible of your family.
To insure your success I have already issued arrest warrants for the High Families who are in rebellion on Hades to be carried out across the Empire. As you read this Imperial agents are moving to carry out their orders. The only place where these rebels have any hope of succeeding is now on Hades. Good luck First High Lady Nakatoma.
His Imperial Majesty Sha Dan the IV
With shaking hands I pass the letter over to Alice. “Babe, read this and tell me if I’m dreaming.” None of the generals knew what was in that letter. Turning to Mike I ask him point blank about it. “Mike, I’m going to ask you only one time about that letter. Do you know what it is about or what it says?”
“Yes ma’am. I was given something similar, but its exact contents no.”
“What do you know?”
“Just that by Imperial Command you’re now the Head of House for the Nakatoma Family and the new Planetary Head for Hades and the Death Gates system. Also the ban on women joining the Death Dealers has been lifted. Also you are to form and train the next generation of Death Dealers here on Hades. More than that I haven’t a clue other than we are to give you whatever you need to put down this rebellion.”
The look of shock that crossed the other Generals’ faces at hearing this was all I needed to see. “Do you gentlemen have a problem with following an Imperial Command?” I had to know now if these ass hats were going to give me any kind of grief.
It was General Fritz who spook first. “None at all, First Lady.”
The other two said pretty much the same thing. After which I asked if they had forgotten their manners. Realizing what I was hinting at they quickly introduced themselves. The older of the two was one Robert ‘Red’ McFeeters from the Emerald Isle system. The youngest of them all was C.W. McCall from the old Earth Republic of North America.
Now that I knew who they all were Dee De gave me their full service record backgrounds. All three had come up through the ranks. Each had earned the loyalty of their respective troops. While Star and McCall were ‘light’ officers they knew how to command the heavy units under their commands. The same could be said for Fritz and McFeeters who had spent their careers in the heavy units, predominantly the APS units. All in all some of the finest leaders you could find.
When Alice looks up at me after reading the letter I shake my head to let her know not to say a word. She quickly realizes something is up and doesn’t say a word. Meanwhile I decide to end the meeting with the Death Dealer Generals. “Thank you, Generals for your time this afternoon. However I still have some training to take care of before my family is ready to go into battle. We have a training run scheduled for this afternoon.”
“Very well, my Lady, we’ll take our leave of you and wish you good hunting.” Mike says as they turn to leave. Once at the door though he turned and asked. “By chance my Lady Maiha, may we observe your family on the range?”
“Of course, General Star. Why, I invite your whole command staff to come out and watch the Storm Dancers. I believe that we shall give you a very enterta
ining experience.” Mama tells the man.
“Are you sure that is alright with her Ladyship Maiha?”
Once again mama steps in and answers for me. “General Star, this is a team training run for the Storm Dancers. While my daughter maybe the overall commander, I am the lance commander for the Storm Dancers. Please bring your command staff out to the range tower to observe our run. I believe that what you see from the Storm Dancers will put all your fears to rest.” The look mama gave me let me know that there was reasoning for her invitation. So I let it slide until we were alone.
“Thank you Lady Dai Etsu, it is not often that one has the chance to watch another command lance perform outside of the battle field.” And with a bow to all of us they left.
“Ok mama what’s up with the invitation to watch us train in our APS’ this afternoon?”
Sighing mama sat down in the chair I had just left. “As we were leaving the dining room I overheard more than a few questioning the abilities of you and your sisters, not to mention my own. I want those MEN to know that we have earned the right to be on that battle line as much as any of them have. I will not let some gaijin disrespect our family traditions. We maybe all female, but there is no one who is better than we are as a unit.”
The fire in her eyes told me all I need to know. My family may be new as pilots, but no one was going to tell them they can’t do something. “Ok mama, let’s go get the rest of the Storm Dancers and show the world just how deadly we truly are.” And with that I head over to my closet pulling out a bio-feedback pilot’s suit for Alice that I had the quartermaster send over earlier. Before I could stop them Dee De and Charley load the suit up with enough nanites to change Alice into a second gen Death Dealer and upgrade her Puss-in-boots. Thinking about how much my family had gained from the same thing I decide to let it go.