Retribution

by Charles Tillman

  Akio brought the Pod down beside the storage building on the opposite side of the structure from the building the humans were in.

  Kenjii waved and hopped out, moving like a shadow through the darkness toward his goal. He halted at an opening, senses on alert for any Clan members in the area. When he determined no threats existed, he hurried to the end of one row of bagged crops.

  He turned to face the opening at the far end of the building. Releasing the catch on his armor, he palmed five of the six devices. Here goes nothing. The first device didn’t go off until he was out the far door and moving across the open field. Five muffled pops, so close together that the first was still echoing when the last detonated, came from behind him. He glanced over his shoulder and saw flames and white smoke pouring out of the glassless windows and open doors.

  Akio had the Pod over his first target before Kenjii entered the building to start the fire. When he heard the distinct pop of the first incendiary, he gently caressed the trigger. The high-velocity projectile penetrated the top of the man’s head, pulping it.

  A shout of “Fire!” came from the guard stationed by the door. Akio directed the Pod to a position fifteen meters above and slightly to the side of the opening in the fence. He aimed his Jean Dukes and waited.

  Shouts came from inside the building, and seconds later, people rushed out, heading toward the burning structure. Akio waited patiently as five Weres exited the building, screaming and chiding the humans to move faster. The sixth came out behind two elderly humans, threatening them with death if they didn’t move faster.

  Akio sighted on that Were’s head and stroked the trigger once. It faltered and fell face down in the doorway. He swung the barrel to his left, and two more Weres flopped lifelessly to the dust. Kenjii had a splendid idea. This is like shooting fish in a barrel.

  The Pod shifted position, moving behind the humans as they ran toward the inferno that raged in the barn. He fired three more times, putting two tigers down but only wounding the third.

  The Were yelled once, then shifted and darted into the mass of humans.

  “Kenjii,” Akio called over his implant.

  “Hai?” he answered after a few beats.

  “There’s one in human form moving toward you and a wounded one near me. I’ll finish the wounded one. Watch for the other. He was likely alerted by the wounded one’s yell.”

  The humans screamed in terror when the wounded tiger ran into their midst, so Akio tracked his motion by the humans fleeing from him. He moved the Pod to a position in front of the Were and stepped out the open door, his katana in hand.

  The tiger crouched between the rows of crops. Its left front leg hung limp as the nanocytes healed the extensive damage the shot had caused. The cat pushed itself forward on three legs, intent on taking down the being who dared hurt it.

  Akio heard the beast before he saw it. It burst through the waist-high crops and came toward him in an unsteady gait from an opening between rows. Akio held his sword ready and waited for the Were to attack. The cat pushed with its rear legs and left the ground. Akio didn’t flinch as his sword flashed down and severed the snarling head from the body.

  He turned toward the inferno across the field and saw Kenjii engage the last foe. He nodded once, then set about herding the terrified slaves away from the fire. Kenjii had proven himself in battle. He didn’t need a keeper to deal with a single Were.

  Kenjii spotted the Were Akio had warned him about behind the first of the humans to arrive. He took two steps and jumped, flying over the heads of the humans and landing before the Were.

  “Time to die, kitty.” He smirked as he held his swords in guard positions, one high, the other low. The man halted, and a second later, a black-striped tiger roared a challenge. The tiger was smaller than others Kenjii had encountered, as well as leaner and lower to the ground. Kenjii stepped forward to engage it and it darted to the right, then switched direction in a flash and went to pass him on the left. Kenjii swung his high sword in a downward arc, missing its body but catching the tail about halfway to its end.

  The tiger squalled in outrage as Kenjii’s blade sheared through flesh and bone, slicing cleanly through the tail. The cat spun and launched into the air, jaws wide and razor-sharp claws extended. Kenjii shifted to one side but was too late. The cat hooked one set of claws into the armor at his hip and closed its powerful jaws around his forearm.

  Kenjii brought the spiked pommel of his sword down, stabbing the beast in the shoulder. Its jaws loosened, and before it could recover, Kenjii’s armored boot slammed into its already wounded shoulder.

  Bones snapped, and the beast fell to the ground with a pained snarl. Kenjii didn’t hesitate. He stepped forward one step, planted his front foot, and brought the rear one forward. His boot caught the tiger in the throat, causing it to gag as it fought for air. He continued his assault, kicking and stomping the hapless beast until it stopped moving.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Sunset House, Kume Island, Okinawa, Japan

  “Welcome to the Sunset House. Please follow me.” Koda greeted Akio and Kenjii at the door, then led them through the main dining room to a private area in the back of the restaurant.

  Asai waved when they entered. “Akio-sama, Kenjii-san, welcome.”

  They were the last to arrive. Horst had ferried the rest over in his Pod earlier in the day, but Akio and Kenjii had waited until the sun was down to leave China.

  “Asai-san, Koda-san, this is a beautiful facility, and the location is amazing. I can’t wait to see it in the light of day.” Kenjii spread his arms, indicating the building and the view of the water through the plate-glass windows that lined the room.

  Akio cast a surprised look at Kenjii. This was the first time he’d openly expressed interest in walking under the sun.

  “It is a beautiful view. Suzu and I have watched the sunset from this location since we were children.” Ono smiled as she crossed the room to the pair.

  “Domo. Akio-sama, who’s your friend?” she asked as Suzu approached from the opposite side.

  “Yes, Akio. Asai told us you were bringing someone with you. Welcome.” Suzu nodded at Kenjii.

  “Greetings, friends. This is Kenjii. We’ve known each other for many years, but we only recently reconnected. Kenjii, this is Mayor Suzu Yagi and his wife Ono. They’re Asai’s parents, and Koda’s uncle and aunt.”

  “Pleased to meet you, Kenjii-san. I hope you enjoy your time here,” Suzu offered.

  “Thank you, Yagi-san. What I’ve seen so far is that you have an amazing home here. I look forward to visiting you again.” Kenjii smiled.

  “Any friend of Akio’s is always welcome on Kume,” Ono assured him with a friendly smile.

  “Domo.”

  “Akio, not to bring up an unpleasant subject, but I’m concerned about what Horst told me about that fake contractor. Do we need to fear the Yakuza trying to infiltrate our home now?” Suzu frowned.

  Kenjii snorted as he stifled a laugh. “I’m sorry, Yagi-san. I wasn’t laughing at your concerns,” he quickly added.

  “Kenjii was an integral part of explaining to the remaining Yakuza why it would be a terrible idea to do so,” Akio supplied with a chuckle.

  Suzu’s and Ono’s faces showed surprise at this. They’d been told Kenjii was a friend of Akio’s, but with Akio’s introduction and now this information, both realized that he was more than a simple friend.

  “Uh, I take it Kenjii is different, like Horst or yourself?” Suzu probed.

  “Hai, Kenjii is special.” Akio cast a fond smile at him. “Like Yuko and me.”

  Suzu and Ono nodded their understanding.

  “As for the Yakuza, they’ve had their final warning. If you detect even a rumor that they’re snooping around Kume, contact Horst or me immediately.” Akio’s chilly tone left no doubt that if the Yakuza returned, it would not end well for them.

  “Thank you, both of you,” Suzu murmured, relief evident on his face.

>   “They’re parasites, and I will treat them as such should they trouble you,” Kenjii assured him.

  “Akio has already done so much for the people here. I hope the need doesn’t arise, but we thank you for your willingness to help.” Ono nodded appreciatively.

  “Don’t let us hold you up with business. Tonight is a celebration.” Suzu beamed, satisfied that the threat of Yakuza interference had ended.

  Akio caught Kenjii’s hand and followed Suzu and Ono to the group seated at several tables that had been pushed together for the celebration.

  “Akio, Kenjii, did you come in one of those marvelous flying devices too?” Seki gushed when they approached.

  Akio looked at Horst, who shrugged and pointed at the back of Seki’s head, then at Akio. He answered the unasked question with a quick headshake. He would caution Asai to warn Seki about the dangers of talking too much but wouldn’t wipe him. Bethany Anne didn’t believe in that, and the strictures about the UnknownWorld were no longer in effect. It wasn’t a big stretch for him to include TQB tech in that.

  “We did. It’s amazing, isn’t it?” Kenjii answered when he caught the silent exchange between Akio and Horst. “Not something most people will ever get to experience. Most wouldn’t believe it anyway,” he added, hoping the excited but inexperienced young man would catch his meaning.

  “Ah, no. I suppose that’s too unbelievable for most to think possible,” Seki managed after Kenjii’s words registered.

  “But it is fun.” Kenjii winked conspiratorially.

  “Absolutely.” Seki nodded enthusiastically.

  Horst smiled at Akio as he inclined his head toward Kenjii. Akio responded with a nod and one lip quirking up in a half-smile. Kenjii would fit in just fine.

  “Join us.” Asai motioned to two vacant seats between Yuko and a man Akio didn’t recognize.

  “Do you remember Koda’s sofu, Adachi Rii? He has been recovering from his time as Isamu’s guest.” She gestured at the man.

  Akio remembered seeing him, but the last time, he’d been thin and frail. He looked healthier and younger now.

  “Hai, I remember. You went back into the cave to search for Koda. You look well,” Akio observed.

  “Domo, Akio-sama. I feel better, too. What you have done for this island, not to mention my granddaughter, can never be repaid.” He stood and bowed low.

  “It’s an honor to know Koda. She is a special woman. As for the island, I did my sworn duty, nothing more.” Akio returned the bow.

  “Bunk! You may have been duty-bound to kill that oni, but you didn’t have to do anything for my girl. Not to mention all the good you do for the island. Don’t think I don’t know that if you didn’t wish it, none of this would have happened.” He swung his arm, the gesture including the restaurant and the view out the window toward the recovering town.

  “Sofu, are you giving Akio a hard time?” Koda asked from her seat next to her father.

  “No, I’m trying to thank him properly. Mind your business, child, adults are talking.” He softened the remark by sticking his tongue out and crossing his eyes. The familiar expression, one he had used on Koda all her life, elicited the desired laugh from her.

  “Now, as I was saying, you don’t need to be so humble. Everyone on this island feels they owe you and Yuko for all you’ve done. Listen to your elder: say thank you and accept the praise.”

  “Domo.” Akio smiled while laughing inside. This man of seventy at the most had no idea who the elder truly was.

  “Who’s this young fellow with you? I don’t recall seeing him.”

  “This is my friend Kenjii. Kenjii, as you have probably determined, this distinguished gentleman is Koda’s sofu.”

  “Konichiwa, Rii-san.” Kenjii bowed.

  “Call me Adachi, both of you. We’re all family here.”

  Adachi pulled three empty sake glasses from the center of the table and filled them from a pottery carafe he took from an electric warmer. “Have a seat and join me. My lovely granddaughter gifted me this sake warmer set today, and I think the temperature is right. It will be so nice to have a cup at the proper temperature. It helps to warm my old bones from the night chills.”

  Takai Rii snorted from his place next to Koda. “Don’t let him fool you. He’s made the worst rotgut sake on the island for the past thirty years. Warm, cold, or any point in between, he’ll drink it.”

  Adachi sat up in his chair and turned to his son. “Like I told your daughter, grownups are talking. Mind your manners.”

  Adachi pushed cups in front of the empty chairs and waved Akio and Kenjii to the seats. “Please excuse my son. He gets that from his mother’s side.”

  “Sofu!” Koda spluttered.

  Suzu, Ono, and Takai burst out laughing, long familiar with Adachi’s offbeat sense of humor.

  “Don’t mind him, Akio. He embarrasses Koda at every opportunity. If he doesn’t get a rise out of her, he gets worse until he does.” Ono snickered.

  “I resemble that remark.” Adachi laughed.

  Akio shook his head while Kenjii looked at each of them, uncertainty etched on his face.

  “Don’t mind me, young fellow. I’m an old man who likes to have a little fun at the kids’ expense sometimes.” Adachi grinned as he pushed the sake glass closer. “Now, drink with me. To Akio and Yuko, the best thing to happen here since before the world went to hell.”

  Kenjii chuckled when he saw the color rise in Akio’s face. He was the first to call, “To Akio and Yuko.”

  Akio rolled his eyes at Kenjii and raised the glass, then took a sip of the warm liquid and nodded once to Adachi. “Domo, Adachi-san.”

  “You’re learning.” Adachi laughed and winked at him.

  Asai watched Adachi’s antics with a smile. It warmed her heart to see the old man enjoying himself and acting as she remembered him before Isamu came. That his antics pushed Koda to the point of wanting to crawl under the table in embarrassment was a bonus.

  A noise from the kitchen caught everyone's attention. They turned to the door when Eve came out, leading a distinguished-looking man in a crisp white chef’s uniform.

  He carefully carried a cake in the Sunset House’s shape to a table beside the wall.

  The guests made appreciative sounds as the chef stepped away and gestured at the cake with both hands. “In recognition of the first group to visit the Sunset House, I present you with this humble offering from the kitchen staff. Enjoy.”

  Only Akio and Horst seemed to notice Eve casually slip an opaque mug to Kenjii, who nodded appreciatively as he brought the warmed blood to his lips and sipped.

  Adachi turned his head and grinned as he whispered so low only someone with preternatural hearing could detect, “Needed something with a little more substance?”

  Akio shifted his gaze to Adachi as Kenjii looked surprised. Akio nodded after a second, seeing in Adachi’s mind that he knew their true nature and had no concerns.

  “How long?” Akio whispered.

  “Since I saw what you left of that false emperor. I know Koda’s man is different, too. Not like you or Yuko, but different. I also know you’re honorable men who will do what you must to protect those two girls.”

  “You don’t think we’re monsters?” Kenjii murmured.

  Adachi chuckled. “Monsters come in all forms, and I have seen my share. You’re special, different even, but not monsters.”

  Kenjii was amazed. That this man recognized what he was and had no fear, even joked with them as though they were normal, made him feel things he hadn’t felt in years. It made him feel human.

  Koda stood and tapped her fork against a glass for attention. “Friends, family, annoying cousins. Thank you all for your parts in seeing the Sunset House come to being. With the new trade and people coming, I’m certain it will be a successful venture.”

  Nods and words of agreement came from all around.

  Koda held her hand up for silence. “I want to share some personal happiness with you, the peop
le who mean the most to me.”

  She reached into her pocket and took out a small object that reflected in the light. She put her hands together, and when she separated them, a gold band with a diamond was on her left ring finger.

  “My man-mountain here,” she pointed at Horst, “finally worked up the courage to not only ask my father’s permission but to ask me to marry him. I said yes,” she gushed as she waved the ring for all to see.

  “Congratulations, you two. It’s about time!” Yuko exclaimed.

  “How did he do it? When? Where?” Asai giggled with excitement.

  “Domo, Yuko.” She turned to Asai. “On one knee at sunset on the beach at the point.”

  “How romantic.” Asai beamed. “When is the wedding?”

  “We haven’t decided on a date. It will be before it gets too hot for a beach wedding.”

  Two men dressed as waiters entered the room with trays of filled champagne glasses. The chef watched from the door, searching for any misstep or stumble from the two islanders turned waitstaff.

  “If you make her cry,” Adachi called from his seat, “I will skin you with a dull knife.”

  Horst laughed. “If I make her cry, I will hand you the knife. It would be easier than whatever punishment Koda comes up with afterward.”

  “I can attest to that,” Seki offered with a grin, getting a round of laughter from the Palace crew.

  “We must find you the perfect dress,” Yuko mused.

  “Shopping trip!” Eve cheered.

  “This will require more than a simple shopping excursion.” Yuko laughed. “There are too many things to do it all in one trip. This will require planning and proper execution.”

  “You’re correct, Yuko. This will require visiting the best dressmakers in the islands and comparing quality and style until we have the perfect dress,” Eve offered, a thoughtful expression on her face.

  “Have you picked your colors yet?” Yuko looked at Koda. “We will need those before we even consider trying to find your dress.”