by Jessie Wolf
“Our next reason is a personal one I am afraid. We are here to mark the passing of one of the Moon Goddess Shiva Nor Vay. The Sylvan Elf known to those of House Nakatoma as Elizabeth Grant, but to the Elves of High Winds she was known as Ni’ola Ne’ Great Oak. May her light shine on in her passing.” At this he up ends the drink in his hand. There was no cheers only solemn silence. More than a few of House Nakatoma’s troops drank to the silent salute to their fallen friend.
“Finally my friends, tonight we celebrate the beginning of a new life for one of our own, to Dana Rania Silver Leaf.” A round of cheers went up to this announcement. “Oh, and just a friendly warning folks, those two giant humanoids standing behind her would not take too kindly to overly adventurous advances towards the young lady.” Everyone laughed at Ravenswood’s little joke; only problem was that they should worry more about the young lady.
The party continued for a few more hours before breaking up. As Alice and I returned to the house we were greeted by soldiers from all of the different units, who wished us good luck for tomorrow, and thank us for the wonderful party. Some even went so far as to say they have never had a more entertaining pre-battle briefing. I had to laugh at that, because at no time was the upcoming battle discussed. Yet everyone knew what they were there for.
When we walked into our rooms we were met by our maids. Nia walks up and hugs us both. Smiling she gives us both a few words of wisdom. “You have done two beautiful things this night.”
“And what might that be Nia? All we did was go to a party and dance with a few of them.” I said rather tersely.
“You know for being one of the greatest Samurais to ever live, you aren’t very smart when it comes to people.” She says with a small smile. “First you have given those wonderful people out there the courage to face tomorrow with the hope they shall survive.”
“And the second thing I have done?”
“You have given them the knowledge that they will be remembered if they don’t.”
Chapter 8
Just before dawn the next morning…
I wake up to an uneasy feeling. I feel it down to my bones, in my guts, to my very soul. I may be warm and comfortable lying here in Alice’s arms, but I still feel IT. That deep soul cringing fear that comes to all people just before a great uncertainty in their life. I slip quietly from our bed, and remove my nightgown in the predawn darkness. Moving quickly to the balcony door I activate my armor.
With a quick stride and a small hop I’m up and over the rail and into the courtyard. The predawn mist is hanging lower to the ground giving the court yard an eerie feeling of false peace. It’s the calm you find in a graveyard. Off in the distance I can see the first rays of the sun just breaking over the horizon. I know it’s going to be a long and bloody day. It’s been almost forty years since I last felt this way.
The last time I felt this way was on New George IV just before the Battle of Atlanta. I can still smell the burning buildings and dead bodies. I know that all of this started thirty years ago and I didn’t start it. I still can’t, but feel guilty. As I walk through the courtyard towards the family shrine I feel that cold presence I had thought I would never feel again. He’s there, right beside me.
“Hello old friend, it’s been a long time, no? How many do you plan to claim as your own today?” I wait a few seconds to hear his answer. Hoping that for once he’ll give me one. “I see you’re your usual talkative self. Then again you never have been one to give anyone answers. How many before me have you come to on the dawn of battle to have these one sided talks? Or do you only answer those you plan to claim before all is said and done?”
Maiha you’re talking to yourself again. (Dee De)
“No I’m not Dee De. I’m merrily having my usual talk with Death, and he’s refusing to answer me as usual.”
Maiha, how many times do I have to tell you it’s all in your imagination? (Dee De)
I hate to disagree with you Dee De. I too can feel an unnatural force here with us. (Charley)
Will you two get a grip! All our sensors show that we are alone! (Dee De)
“Dee De! Shut up for once! Not everything can be measured by scientific means! Some… things are just unexplainable and have to be taken on faith. How many times do I have to tell you this? As a matter of fact how many times have I told you that?”
One hundred and forty-three times if I only count the pre-battle talks. If I add in all the other times when you got all mystical and shit four hundred and ninety-one. (Dee De)
Dee De if Maiha has told you that, that many times why do you continue to insist on arguing with her on this? (Charley)
Because it’s unscientific and illogical. All things, I should say real things, can be measured using the scientific method. (Dee De)
“Charley, give it up my brother. Dee De and you may be two of the most advanced AIs known to man, and have something close to a soul; but she will never admit to there being something more there than just the here and now.”
They both fall silent at this last comment. It is an uncomfortable truth for them. The fact that when I die they don’t know what will be waiting for them beyond that point. No one knows just how close to being a living being the AIs are.
As I head for the shrine I stop one more time and look to the east at the rising sun. I see different colors washing away the night a little at a time. I notice that the early morning mist is fast becoming a heavy fog. If it gets much thicker it will reduce visibility down to less than ten yards. If that happens all of my plans may just be endangered.
It’ll help us at the start of the fight by hiding my troops and their positions, but after that it’ll remove the numerical advantage we have. Because you have to be able to see what you’re shooting at. Firing blindly into the fog you could very well hit one of your own people. Damn this ain’t good.
Maiha, I have run an analysis of the local weather conditions. If, And this is a big if, the rebels hold their attack until after eleven hundred the fog will be thick enough to hide our positions, but thin enough that once combat operations begin to not be a hindrance. (Dee De)
“Thank you, Dee De. As much as I would love for them to do exactly that you know the old saying. ‘No battle plan survives first contact with the real world.’”
I step inside the Nakatoma family shrine. As I look round I see all of Dai Etsu’s and Matsu’s ancestors. For the first time I truly understand how the two women could have such a strong tie to the past. There are close to five hundred generation’s here, going all the way back to when the family was still on Earth Prime. There is a lot of history on these walls. I’m stopped dead in my tracks by one of the paintings.
You can tell it’s recently been done. I know for a fact that it’s new. It’s also highly idealized. I know for a fact that I never wore the armor of a Samurai and carried the traditional Family Blades of House Nakatoma. “I see you have found the new addition to our history.” Mama’s quiet voice scares the crap out of me so bad I actually jump at the sound of it.
“Mama, no I must ask this as James. Dai Etsu, why have you made me, the old me I mean, look like a Samurai?”
When she first hears me change the way I’m asking her a small frown appears on her face. Only to be replaced by a look of understanding. “It was done to show all future generations your true place within this family. James, of all the samurai that have been a part of this family, only a very few have shown what it truly means to be a samurai, let alone to be a Shogun. And for the record that is the armor of a Shogun. To be precise the Nakatoma Shogun.” As she explains why she has done this I realize what it truly means to be part of this family.
A family with this type of history is one that will not go quietly into the night. No they will rage against the dying of the light. They will not go quietly into the night. In other words ‘We don’t take shit from no one!’
“Domo arigatou, haha. I shall never forget the lesson in family honor you have just shown me.” I give her the d
eepest and most respectful of bows.
“Maiha, I know that you were never interested in your adopted family’s history.” I start to object, but she stops me by raising her hand. “Please, let me finish. Matsu, told me of your own family background. You were the oldest child of two orphans who was orphaned himself at a young age. Left to care for your younger siblings. You never truly had a family history to draw on. Yet, you forged a personal code of honor that is without equal, even amongst the samurai’s of old. Matsu told me how you envied her family history, but did not wish to be told of it. You felt that you would be shamed by the fact you could not share the same with her. Yes, my dear brother and now daughter I know all about your desire to build what you never had with your own family, a history worthy of any High Family member.” Then with a bow of respect “Of all the Death Dealers, only you were ever raised above all others by the Emperor Himself, James.” At my look of confusion she quickly explained. “Did you not know that you were the first, First High Lord of the Death Dealers, and now their first, First High Lady; to come from outside of the High Families?”
“To be honest, it never occurred to me. Of all the titles and honors that were heaped on me as a reward none of them ever meant anything to me. The one reward I truly wanted no one can give.” By the time I’m done my voice goes quiet, almost as whisper. “I want my friends and loved ones back.”
Dai Etsu doesn’t say a word she merrily pulls me into a much needed hug. “This I know all too well, reijou. Now, please tell me who were you talking to before coming in here?”
“Death”
“I do not understand, Maiha. Why would you be talking to yourself?”
The giggle that escapes me is one of both joy and sadness. “Do you know how I got my nickname?”
“No. I thought it had to do with the fact that no one has ever been able to defeat you?”
“Nope. Not by a long shot.” At her look of confusion I go on to explain. “Back before I became an officer of the Death Dealers, when I was just an everyday soldier, I would always be the first one awake before a battle. Well I couldn’t get back to sleep one time so I got up and left the tent I shared with three others and went for a walk. I couldn’t shake this feeling of someone walking besides me and I began to talk to them. When one of the sentries stopped me, he asked who I was talking to. I didn’t know how to answer him so I just said ‘the man I plan to kill today.’ Well the sentry asked ‘Who is that?’ I looked at him, and in all honesty, said ‘I plan to kill Death himself.’ He laughed at me thinking it was a joke. Any way he waved me on and I continued my walk and talk with Death. The battle that afternoon became known as the Battle for Red River Heights. It was on a nowhere backwater planet almost eighty years ago called Prim. We were at war with the Holder Conclave. I must have sent several hundreds of them to meet their ancestors when I turned the guns of my anti-aircraft team on the battle field. When they didn’t break at first I charged out at them. Here I was this skinny buck forty-five kid charging these eight foot monsters with nothing more than a pulse rifle just firing away. They dropped everything but the kitchen sink on me and I just kept coming. When they finally broke I was within ten meters of their lines. When all was said and done we had won the day and held our position. When our captain asked who led the charge on the enemy position everyone pointed at me. He said he was putting me in for the Blue Max and then walked away. Later that night at chow time the sentry from that morning saw me walk in stood up and yield out ‘Here’s to the man who killed Death. Raise your glasses to the New Death. Long may he reign!’ from that day on they just called me Death.” Looking over at her I hadn’t realized I had walked away from her in my telling, I was that lost in the past.
“Now, you are known as his daughter. To be correct Deaths own Daughter, who is just as powerful and honorable as he was. The House units do not talk around you or me, but they do around your little sisters. To the man or woman, they all respect, fear, and love you.” There is a smile pulling at the corners of her mouth. Not that it stands a chance of showing against that inner peaceful calm on her face.
The face that I first saw all those many years ago and when I first returned to House Nakatoma. I can deal with the respect and love, but I’m not too hip about the feared part. When I comment on it mama is quick with an answer. “They fear what you’ll do when too many of them fail. Child, don’t you see, their love and respect is so great they fear your wrath and you losing control. Your call sign may be Wave Dancer, but your nick-name Shinigami himesama. Yes my dear they truly call you, the Daughter of the God of Death.”
When she tells me this I damn near blow my top in shock. I have tried to control some of my more murderous impulses, and mostly succeeded. I have only killed the ass hats that tried to ambush me or my family. The rest of them may be messed up a little, ok a lot, but they’re still alive. For them to be calling me that at my new age is going to be hard to live up too.
I decide to change the topic. “When do you think they’ll hit, mama?”
Mama looks out at the rising morning fog, and dawn sky. By this time the fog has become thicker than pea soup and the sun is just breaking the horizon turning the sky blood red in color. “I fear, child, that I won’t make my wedding on time. I do not know why, but I feel that they will be here before the sun is fully up.”
“That’s what I thought as well.” With a heavy, almost pitiful, sigh. “I guess I need to get everyone up and into their positions and check in with my new IC department head.”
Mama walks over to me and gives me a big hug. “I know that this is not what you wanted, Maiha. However, what we want and what we get is rarely one in the same.” With a very sad smile “Go see what your new department head has for you. I’ll start getting everyone else up and moving. Remember, Maiha, we have the edge all the way around.”
“Not if they come before this fog burns off we don’t.”
“What do you mean, Maiha?”
“The fog will cut down our advantage in numbers by forcing us into knife fighting range. As long as you can see your target you can hit it, all this fog will force us to use radar and thermal sights for targeting. If we have to do that, then all the numbers in the world won’t matter. It’ll all come down to who sees who first and gets the shot off.”
“Then, if that is the case I shall send up a prayer for a quick reprieve from this fog, and if not that, then a blessing of luck for all those who fight for us and the Empire.”
Smiling I give her a hug and head over to the house communications room. When I get there I find a very tired Dana going over reports and messages that look like they have come in during the night. She is dressed in the same kimono from last night. There are empty coffee cups all over the desk she is using. The ash tray is full and there are two empty cigarette packs lying next to it. The girl looks like she hasn’t slept a wink in the past thirty hours. I hear her mumbling to herself about false id’s and misplaced units.
“Dana, have you been here all night?” my question brought her out of her daze.
“What? Oh sorry, my Lady. Would you repeat your question?”
“I asked if you had been here all night. You look like you haven’t slept since yesterday.”
“Yes, ma’am. I been here since I left the party last night.”
“Would you like to tell me why?”
“One of the com-techs found an inconsistency in the call signs and unit id’s of the rebels just after the party started. When they told me about it I figured I should look into it.” She was looking at me to see if I was upset with her for what she had done.
“Well, don’t keep me in suspense what did you find?”
The smile that lit up her face at not being yelled at made it worth the wait. “I believe they are using their unit ids to actually maneuver their units to pre-assigned positions. If I have this figured right, they are putting the AI tanks along with all of the combat LEO’s they could get their hands on in an arch that will hit the front gates in about t
wo hours.”
“Oh Shit! How big of a force are we talking about?”
“Around a hundred and fifty AI tanks and two hundred LEO’s.”
“Do you know what type’s we’re looking at?”
“Yes, my Lady. We’re looking at forty Mark nineteen and fifty-eight Mark seventeen AI tanks. It’s the LEO’s we’re having problems with. It’s like they stole them from all over and just put them in one big unit. There’s CHP’s, SLED, RANGER’s, ADAM12’s, and SWAT units. In short just about every type of LEO there is out there.”
My God! What a mess. No wonder she’s have problems figuring out what we’re facing. With that many different unit types and all of them AI controlled it would take a genius to sort it all out. The fact that Dana had figured out this much was nothing short of amazing. “What else have you got for me, Miss Silver Leaf?” I had noticed the techs were eaves dropping on our conversation. I figure if I use her title they’ll get the hint that she was their boss.
“Well, my Lady, let me show you something on the map. Higgins, bring up the latest satellite photos please. Put them on the big screen.” The tech she was talking to quickly put the information she had requested up on the C and C broad. An eight foot wide and seven foot tall electronic screen. What I see makes my stomach turn. My forces may outnumber the rebels, but none of that matters. By placing the AI tanks and LEO’s to attack the front of the compound the rebels have effectively surrounded me. Now instead of worrying about an attack from one direction, I have to deal with multiple directions at once. “I see that you have already figured out what our ‘friends’ are up to.”
“This is not good. They have us almost completely surrounded.”
“That they have, my Lady, but we still have the advantage.” When I look at her smiling face I realize she has found a hole in their plans. “We have their com codes.”
Holy Shit! I had forgotten all about that. “What did you hear?”