[FIC] Christmas cake (pt. 12)
Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2004 3:20 am
Ayame had run off to help her father in the kitchen. It wasn’t an altruistic move--- there would be bowls to lick and food to snitch. Little sneak! That used to be her job!
Stacy has slipped out of doors, wanting to do some quick reconnoitering. The bag went with her everywhere she went. Anybody who decided to mess with her would get a rather unpleasant surprise. Kaname would make double sure that the girl never had a chance to meet Sousuke.
They would either fall in love at first sight, or blow each other up.
Mr. Smith lay slouched over his chair, asleep. His snoring almost drowned out the sounds of activity in the kitchen. Kaname had to keep from scowling. That was the man who had done such a good job for her father? She was supposed to feel safe around him? Well, with his bulk, at least the chair wouldn’t jump up and try to gnaw off her head or anything.
Kaname felt a little bit contrite. Maybe the man was much different out in the field. It was a holiday, after all. It was a time for rest.
Yeh. Right. And maybe Kaname could flap her arms and fly all the way back to Tokyo!
That all meant that Kaname was left alone with Oichi.
“You really look a lot different in person, Kaname. I haven’t seen any recent pictures of you.” Miss Masako smiled, sitting primly on the edge of the sofa, her hands in her lap. “You look a lot like your father. Ayame takes after your mother.”
Kaname had no desire for small talk. To hear that woman talk about her mother irritated her. Oichi wasn’t familiar with her mother. All she could ever do is look at the photographs spreads throughout the house.
Photographs.
If that woman hadn’t even seen a recent photograph of her, what did that mean? Maybe her father hadn’t cared enough to show her one. Great. Don’t go bothering the new girlfriend with pictures of his oldest daughter!
“Yes.”
That was all Kaname said.
It was all she trusted herself to say.
Part of her was annoyed with her behavior. Other than Sousuke, who else had she ever treated that way? Well, Sousuke, Shirai, and anyone else who deserved it, that is.
She realized that she hadn’t sent her father any recent photographs. How could he show what he didn’t even have?
“I understand you are very involved with sports and activities at school. Student council Vice President and class representative, both. Your father is very proud of you, you know.” The woman’s smile was beginning to set Kaname on edge.
Kaname clamped her mouth shut. She had wanted to say ‘Yeh, right!’ Her father didn’t seem too proud of her lately, did he? And, she didn’t much want to think about school, for all of the obvious reasons.
“Sure.”
Kaname almost smacked herself in the forehead. That came out really nice, didn’t it. She had to pull herself together. Her father was counting on her. Somehow, that didn’t seem like a very strong motivation at the moment.
Oichi kept smiling. But, there was a hint of something in her eyes. Kaname felt ashamed. The woman couldn’t help that she wasn’t her mother. It wasn’t her fault that Kaname might be trapped here in America. Or was it? Suddenly, her mind seemed eager to find something to take offense at.
What kind of conversations had she held with Father?
Might she have influenced his decision?
No. relax. Be real!
That was not her father’s way. Family decisions were his to make. His and his alone. Ever since his wife had died.
“It’s really nice that you’re over here, now. I have never seen Ayame this excited before. She must be very happy to have her big sister home.” Miss Masako could hear Ayame singing in the kitchen. Shunya was scolding her, telling her to stop sticking her fingers in everything. “She really dotes on your father, too.”
Oh, and I don’t, is that it?
Kaname bit her lip. Why was she acting this way? Did she really feel so threatened by Oichi?
The woman just happened to keep hitting on things she didn’t want to talk about. Kaname was very happy to see her sister. But, she was less than pleased to be home now, realizing that she was a virtual prisoner.
“She’s a good kid.”
She needs a mother. You’re not her mother. No matter what you say or do.
Stop it, Kaname. Show a little class.
It’s not easy!
So what? You think whatever Sousuke is going through is easy? You think that it must be easy for Miss Masako to be sitting here, trying to get blood from a stone?
“Your father told me that you might come home and finish school in this country. That would be wonderful. I know how happy Ayame and your father would be. You and I could get to know one another that way too.”
Kaname couldn’t help herself. That had all hit a raw nerve. The rawest of nerves.
“Excuse me, please. Stacy has been gone a while. I should go check and make certain she’s OK.”
It was hard to keep from running out of the room.
She found the Mithril agent outside.
“Are you alright?” Stacy walked up to Kaname after giving the street one more quick glance.
“No.” Kaname sat on the front steps, her head in her hands.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m acting like such a jerk. I spend so much time yelling at a certain mutton-headed military misfit about his clueless and inconsiderate behavior, but I acted far worse than he ever did.”
Kaname pulled at her hair angrily. “I don’t know what to do. I’ve never felt quite this way before. Everything is pushing so hard on me…. I feel like I’m being crushed.”
“So you need someone to take things out on, huh?” Stacy nodded her head. She had felt that way before herself---after her sister disappeared.
Kaname looked up. She wore a contemplative look. She listened as Stacy continued.
“Sure. It’s not surprising, really. You’ve been through a lot. You’ve been disappointed… hurt… scared…angered. Probably doesn’t feel like there is any way out. Maybe even feels as if the whole world is out to get you. Right?” Stacy pulled up a piece of grass, stripped it, and chewed on one end.
Kaname nodded her head.
“There’s no one you can hit back at, really. You can’t blame Mithril for needing Sousuke. You can’t blame your father for wanting you safe. You can’t blame your sister for being happy that you’re here instead of Tokyo. Despite your father’s decisions, you don’t dare take out all of your anger and frustration on him.” Kim spat out the grass.
Kaname knew what she was leading up to.
“She seems like a nice enough lady. I think she really wants to be friends with you. But, she’s an easy target, right? She’s not your mother, and you worry that she may try to take her place. She cares about your father, so you figure she’ll side with him against you.”
Kaname nodded again. “I thought Mithril agents were supposed to be clueless and accident prone. You haven’t blown anything up. You’re pretty sharp too.”
Stacy pulled up another blade of grass. “Not really. I’ve been through tough times myself. My parents adopted a refugee a year before my sister was abducted. I gave him a very hard time for a while, after my sister was gone. It took some work, but we’re very close now. I had some growing up to do.”
“What did you do?” Kaname marveled at the twist of fate. She had needed a bodyguard, but was fortunate that Stacy was more than that.
“My parents knocked some sense into me. They explained that they were worried about my sister too. They said that they loved me and my adopted brother. I found out that my brother spent every night at the foot of their bed, crying himself to sleep. He missed our sister too.” Stacy looked off into the distance. She sighed.
Kaname sat quietly. She knew that Stacy was still dealing with the things that life had brought her. It was work. Things didn’t just get better. It was foolish to wish otherwise.
“They didn’t scold me. They didn’t cajole me or threaten me. My parents simply asked me to put myself in my brother’s shoes. How did he feel? What did he want? How did my actions affect him? It really opened my eyes. After that, when I understood myself, I spoke with him, telling him how I felt.” Stacy reached up to wipe tears away.
“He hugged me. He started crying. He asked me not to leave him, too. I had never felt so rotten about myself before” Stacy took out her compact, wanting to make certain that her tears didn’t ruin her make-up.
Kaname started giggling. Then, she actually laughed.
“What?” Stacy looked perturbed.
“It’s not about your story. It’s just that when you began checking out your face, it was funny. Someone with a bag full of guns and ammunition… an agent for a secret organization… fixing her make-up. It just doesn’t compute, not after dealing with a certain walking disaster. Sorry. I can’t help myself.” Kaname smiled, feeling a weight lift off her.
“Hmmmpppfff!” Stacy tried to look insulted. She couldn’t help but smile too. “So, what are you going to do?” She looked at Kaname out of the corner of one eye.
“I’m going to be a friend and suggest that you go inside and use the bathroom mirror. Your face needs a lot of work.” Kaname put her hand over her mouth, hiding her grin.
“What?!!” Stacy pretended to be outraged.
“I’m going to go inside and speak with her.” Kaname said, seriously.
“Good.” Stacy nodded her head.
“She might have some good make-up tips….”
Kaname ran when Stacy reached inside of her bag.
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“Al, target the base of the rocket booster with a flight of Javelin missiles. Ascending spread. Center reference, with flanking auxiliaries”
“Yes, Lord Sagara.”
This should be simple. The stupid missile may be tall at thirty-two meters, but it was small as ICBM’s go. There was a gap between the stages, suggesting it was based on older Russian or Chinese technology. Laughable. He’d take out this one, then the next.
Making a quick scan of the battlefield, he waited to see if anyone would challenge him. He didn’t really want it to be so easy.
Waves of strike aircraft were coming in, targeting the smaller No Dong missiles that were spread throughout the area. Mithril Arm Slaves were assaulting the range control and missile assembling facilities, with ground troops in support.
Enemy forces were engaging the teams headed for the two large missiles. Some were veering off from those areas, heading for him. Good. It was almost time to hunt.
“Too slow. I’ll give them a chance to defend the second missile. Al, fire on the first target.”
“Firing, Lord Sagara.”
Sousuke watched as rockets streaked out away from Arbalest. This kind of moment could really use some popcorn. Or a remote control, so he could watch it again if he wanted to. Maybe in slow motion.
“Al, record the visual.”
“Yes, Lord Sagara.”
It happened so fast. The missiles struck the lower stage of the towering metal weapon, causing multiple small explosions. Just as the ICBM began to crumble, the liquid propellant inside it ignited, sending a huge mushrooming cloud of fire outward. An ever-expanding cloud of flame spread across the first launch pad. Large and small fragments of metal fell, bounced, and rolled to a stop far from the site of detonation, some trailing arcs of flame or sooty smoke.
High resolution images showed Mirthril troops throwing themselves under cover, just outside of the raging conflagration.
Ooops. Guess they wouldn’t be getting any evidence out of that missile. My bad!
Sousuke laughed. That had felt so good. Imagine, his so-called superiors thought they could give him commands. He was his own commander now. Anything they might say would better be termed a suggestion. They should be getting that point about now.
Something inside of him shouted for attention, saying what he was doing was wrong. There were reasons that other people gave the orders. It was his duty and obligation to obey such orders. The enemy were the ones who flaunted the rules of decency and international law. That’s why they were here, to stop them. There were countless innocent people whose lives were at stake.
Kaname was in danger.
“No! If those fools want to just sit back and act like sheep, that’s their business. I don’t see any of them here today, fighting to protect the ones they love.” Sousuke clenched his fists and shook his head.
“Love is not even the issue. Either they fight for themselves, or they are irrelevant. The enemy is only the enemy because they stand in my way. The people pretending to lead this mission are hiding back on the submarine. I’m here. I have a right to do as I please. If I am the strongest, I make the rules!”
Kaname was in danger!
Sousuke grimaced. That thought sent tendrils deep within him, trying to take up root. It threatened to distract him, weaken him.
She does not command me. Those fools hiding back on Da Danaan do not command me. No one and nothing does!
His thoughts turned outward and upward. He was not a devoutly religious person, but had a tenuous bond with his creator. It was another subject he had walled off, leaving it generally unexplored. He had always been afraid of what a just and loving God might think of him and his line of work.
Images crossed his mind. Charleston Heston. Moses. ‘The Ten Commandments.’
Why was he seeing that? The movie did have some interesting military sequences, with chariots racing across the desert. But, Sousuke much preferred ‘Planet of The Apes,’ ‘The Omega Man,’ and ‘Soylent Green!’
He saw himself standing on a mountain.
Fire streamed outward, burning words into two huge stone tablets.
THOU SHALT HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME
No! It was just more rules.
God never said that. The Commandments were man’s doing. Just another way to keep people in line. Just another way to limit and restrain everyone. Just another way to keep people like me from reaching their potential and getting what they deserve.
THOU SHALT NOT MAKE UNTO THEE ANY GRAVEN IMAGES
Who says that I have! But, if I want to worship Arbalest and the power it gives me, I will. If I want to place my faith in guns and other weapons that I can see and hold in my hand, I will. Who’s going to stop me?
No one has the right!
THOU SHALT NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD THY GOD IN VAIN
To Hell with that! I’ll damn whomever I want. I’ll curse anyone and everyone who stands in my way. If God has something to say about it, he can discuss it with me!
Well, go ahead.
See, not a problem!
REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY
Today IS the Sabbath day.
This will be a day that NO ONE forgets.
I’ll make sure of that.
HONOR THY FATHER AND MOTHER
My father and mother are dead. Where was God when they needed him? They followed the rules. They trusted in civilized society and the goodness of people. They never had a chance.
I’ll honor them by being everything I was destined to be.
THOU SHALT NOT KILL
Nonsense!!!
How else can you get control... stay in control... remove those things that threaten your control. The verse in the Quran makes more sense. ‘Take not life, which God has made sacred, except by way of justice and law.’
He would decide what is just or not. He would make the laws!
THOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY
I’ll take whatever I want. If the woman becomes a widow, then it won’t be adultery.
The girl he was most interested in wasn't even married.
Grinding his hands into his eyes, Sousuke forced away images of Kaname.
THOU SHALT NOT STEAL
If something is mine, then there can be no stealing. I will decide what does or does not belong to me. No one else’s opinions on the subject matter.
THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS AGAINST THY NEIGHBOR
There will be no need to lie. If my neighbor is foolish enough to challenge my authority, I will settle that argument swiftly, by removing him… his house… the whole neighborhood if necessary.
THOUGH SHALT NOT COVET.
Covet.
Desiring something that God has given to another.
It is not a problem. Kaname does not belong to anyone else. God hadn’t given her to anyone.
“Enough!!!” Sousuke shook his head violently, trying to shake away the thoughts of Kaname. They kept pulling at him. They kept forcing him to question himself.
“No more!!!”
The kiss.
Her arms around him.
The feel of her head on his shoulder.
The sense of someone caring for him as he is.
“As...... I...... WAS!!!” Sousuke slammed his arms down hard, without shutting off the waldo. The Arbalest made the same motion, hitting only air.
“Screw Kaname!!!” The violent verbal denouncement had two effects. Sousuke felt frightened momentarily, as if he had witnessed something horrendous that he was powerless to act against. He also felt a tightening in his loins.
“Yes, screw Kaname. No doubt she wants it. Not that her wanting it matters. I will take what I want, then throw the rest away! She‘ll serve whatever purpose I desire.”
Those two emotions opened the door for others.
“These thoughts are all so worthless and irrelevant. I will do what I want to do.” That is all that truly matters. Everything else serves my needs.
“Al, target the second Taepodong missile. Ready the next flight of Javelins.”
“Targeting, Lord Sagara. Missile lock complete.”
The war going on inside of Sousuke proved more challenging than the one he faced outside of the ARX-7. His conscience tried desperately to pull itself out of the refuse bin. Words, thoughts, arguments, and pleas began inserting themselves into his conscious mind.
Grateful for a reprieve, his attention was drawn to the forward view screen.
Two huge trails of fire began heading skyward, just off to the side. Smoke billowed out from their bases, obscuring the ground around them. Sousuke didn’t need to hear the A.I.’s report to know what was happening.
“Two No Dong missiles have launched, Lord Sagara.”
So, those idiots couldn’t get the job done without him, could they? It was a damn good thing he was standing right here, wasn’t it!
Bringing around his Bofors without disengaging the automatic targeting of the remaining ICBM, Souske called out a battle cry and fired, knocking both missiles from the sky. Nothing could get by him!
“I hope you all take note of my success,” he said into his microphone. “Had I been listening to all of you, two missiles would be on their way to their targets. Cretins!”
The distraction could have defeated his emotions’ attempts to take hold. It didn’t. The savage aspect of him was triumphant, without a doubt. But, the civilized part was relieved---those missiles would not have any chance of harming Kaname.
The threat detector started beeping, calling for attention.
Missiles incoming…… low altitude…… ATGMs! He had been so caught up with extraneous thoughts, he had forgotten about the ground troops.
Idiots. They are just wasting their weapons. I should let them flail away impotently, but I find their existence annoying. Their efforts are an affront.
“Al, expand the force shield. Concentrate force energies in your finger tips, pistol style, as discussed earlier.”
“Lambda Driver field stable. Energies directed as ordered.”
Sousuke took control of the Lambda Driver with his mind.
“Bang!!!”
Energies shot forth from Arbalest’;s extended hand, keeping a tenuous connection to the field surrounding the Arm Slave. Rapidly advancing anti-tank vehicles and APCs were tossed about like leaves in a whirlwind.
“Bang!!!”
The troops in concealment could not hide from Arbalest’s thermal imaging devices. They had no defense against the force that wiped them clean from this world.
That’s better.
That’s much better.
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It was very difficult for Kaname.
Her emotions were all tied in knots. She was feeling embarrassed. It was hard to find the words for inviting Oichi to speak with her. The older woman was sitting on the couch, in the process of being regaled with stories from Mr. Smith’s days on the force.
“So I said to this snot nose kid, ‘Move, and your father will be shocked to find out he has a daughter instead of a son.’ Man, did that boy ever run. He knew I wasn’t the type to mess around. We didn’t have too many more jaywalkers at the college campus again, I can assure you!”
Kaname was so pleased to see the half dozen empty beer bottle near the man. She felt so safe. If only Sousuke were here. There were so many things he could learn from such a font of knowledge and champion of the peace.
“Well, I’m certain the community finds itself in your debt, Mr. Smith. No doubt that father was very glad he still had a son.” Miss Masako was a real trooper. Her smile hadn’t faded a bit. Kaname owed her another debt---no one should be left alone that long with a man so happy to talk about himself.
“No. His son probably learned his disrespect of the law from him. If people were all like you it would be a different story. Most people are jerks, you know? When there’s a burglar prowling around their house, they are happy to see you. Otherwise, they would just as soon want to spit on you. That’s why I took my expertise and years of experience into the bodyguard business. Nothing but happy and satisfied customers there.”
Kaname grimaced. Happy happy. Joy joy.
It was time.
She couldn’t put it off any longer.
“Mr. Smith, I hope you will excuse me. Miss Masako, could I speak with you for a minute?” Kaname bowed.
“Sure. Go ahead darlin.’ My stories will wait.” Mr. Smith finished off his remaining bottle.
Oichi looked at Kaname uncertainly, letting her guard down some. Yes. Certainly.”
“Do you mind walking outside? I could do with some fresh air.” Kaname had no doubt that the older woman would catch her meaning.
“That sounds good. I need to stretch my legs some.” She looked over at Mr. Smith, then back at Kaname.
Kaname just shook her head.
Mr. Smith made no effort to accompany them. He did speak up, however. “Don’t worry. These streets are safe. You won’t run into any trouble out there, not on Christmas. But, if something does come up, one of you come back and let me know. I’ll be ready.”
Walking down the hallway, Oichi coughed into her hand and then spoke to Kaname. “That is the man that your father hired to look after you?”
“Yes, mam. It certainly is.” Kaname couldn’t keep the contempt out of her voice.
“I will have to have a talk with him then.” Miss Masako’s voice was so firm, that Kaname couldn’t help but smile. It was marvelous to think of her father getting a good talking to.
As the two women passed through the door outside, Kaname gave a subtle hand signal to Stacy. The blond girl and her shopping bag would follow behind at an appropriate distance.
Kaname grinned.
She was having Sousuke withdrawals. She almost hoped that someone would try something, just to see the look on his face when a teenage girl shoved the barrel of a .50 caliber pistol up his nose.
She sighed, wishing Sousuke was there with her.
Kaname and Oichi walked a few blocks. Kaname tried to find the first words, since they might be the most important. Oichi was clever enough to wait.
The truth, Kaname.
Just tell her the truth.
Everything. Except about Mithril and world events.
“I’m really sorry. I acted like a jerk back there. I had no excuse for my bad behavior.” The words all came out in a rush.
“Yes, you were quite the jerk, alright.” Oichi agreed amiably. She knew exactly what tact she wanted to take.
“What?” Kaname’s pride spoke first. She had expected polite acceptance and solemn forgiveness.
“You were quite the jerk.” Miss Masako stopped and waved her arm. “Back there. We’re not back there any more, though.”
“Yes. I know. I just wanted….” Kaname ran down. There were so many issues.
She almost felt like some kind of loser or weakling, letting things bother her like this. Despite the hard times she had once faced, she often found herself looking at other people with issues like they were some kind of pariah. Now that the shoe was on the other foot again, she had an uncomplimentary view of herself.
“To start over?” Oichi asked hopefully. Her eyes were vulnerable at that moment. Kaname realized just how much her father’s girlfriend wanted Kaname to like her.
It touched her heart.
“O yes. Will you forgive me? Please?” Kaname’s words spilled out, as much a plea as an apology.
“When do you need an answer?” The older woman tried to keep a straight face, but couldn’t. The look on Kaname’s face had been precious. “Yes, I will be glad to.”
“Thank you. I feel so much better. I behaved really badly. I… I…”
“Felt a little threatened? Because I’m not your mother?” Miss Masako had expected this. By all accounts, Kaname was more resistant to change than Ayame was.
“Yes.”
“Well, to be honest, I felt the same way.”
“What?” Kaname stopped walking, uncertain of what she had just heard.
“I felt a little worried too, Kaname. I’m not your mother. I was afraid that you’d react to me just the way you did. No, that’s not really it. I was really afraid you would feel that way, but put on some false show for my benefit.” Oichi looked Kaname in the eyes.
“Your behavior hurt me, but at least it was honest. I see why your father gets so angry with you some times. But, I also see why he is so proud, too. It took a big heart to apologize like this.”
“I’m not usually like that.” Kaname found herself wanting Oichi to believe her. She also found herself wanting to talk to an adult about the way she felt.
“It’s just that I’ve been so stressed, lately. So many things have happened. It seems like I haven’t had a say in anything.”
Miss Masako nodded her head. “I know what that feels like, sometimes. I take it that your father’s thoughts about keeping you here with him and Ayame doesn’t sit well with you?”
“No. I love my father. Under different circumstances, I would be happy to be here now. It’s… It’s… it’s just so many things!” Kaname found herself shaking. The world seemed to be pushing in on her again. She wanted to find a peaceful place to rest, but her problems followed her even closer than Ayame usually did.
Oichi put a hand on Kaname’s arm. “I won’t pry. You don’t owe me any more explanation than you’ve already given me. But, if you want to talk, I’m a good listener.”
Kaname stared at Miss Masako. She felt a great welling of gratitude building up inside of her. She nodded her head, then tossed her hair. It was time to stop wallowing in self pity.
“My father has a thing about boys. He doesn’t want me dating. He won’t even consider the thought of me and a boy in a room together.” Kaname kicked at a rock on the sidewalk. “I wonder if he can even remember being a teenager.”
Oichi smiled. “I had a father like that. If a boy even walked too close to our house in Osaka, he’d run to grab his grandfather’s sword. There was quite a show the day I hid it under my bed.” She shook her head reminiscing.
“He just wanted to protect me. He didn’t want to lose his little girl. But, we all have to grow up some time… some of use earlier than others, right?”
“Yes,” Kaname answered, realizing that her father must have told Oichi about her earlier life.
“So, what’s his name?” Oiche’s look was shrewd.
The question came right out of the blue. Kaname found herself momentarily tongue-tied.
“Uh… I… who?” Kaname’s innate response was to deny everything.
“The boy you couldn’t possibly have any interest in.” Oichi smiled. She had been there too.
“Sousuke.” Kaname’s voice was quiet. Looked down at her feet, she grabbed the edge of her skirt with one hand.
“Did the two of you have a fight before you left?” Miss Masako wondered what had Kaname feeling so down all of a sudden.
Kaname shook her head. “No. We spend a lot of time together, but I never really thought of him romantically. When we each finally started realizing something, he was called away and I had to come here. We had planned to spend time together, figuring things out. I don’t know if we will ever have that chance again.”
“Called away?” Oichi raised one eyebrow.
“Yes. But I really can’t talk about that.” Kaname kicked herself. Feeling sad was no excuse for being stupid.
“You’re afraid your father won’t let you go back? You wonder if the opportunity is lost forever, if you and Sousuke have too much time to think?”
“I… I don’t know. I’ve been thinking about things a lot. I miss him. I would give anything to be able to see him and know he was safe.” Kaname bit her lip. There she goes again!
Oichi wisely didn’t probe any further in the one direction. “But you don’t think your father will trust you to go back to Tokyo on your own?”
“He doesn’t even want to hear about Sousuke. That would be bad enough any time, but now it’s….” Kaname ran down. She couldn’t even trust herself to speak. “He made it clear long ago that I couldn’t date until college. I don’t even know if he’ll give me his blessing then!”
Miss Masako stood looking at Kaname, wondering if she should ask certain questions. It was obviously doing Kaname some good to talk to someone, and as much as she loved Shunya. She knew that his strength was not as a conversationalist. At least not with his daughters, whom he felt duty-bound to raise in the proper traditions.
“Something else is worrying you. Not just your father’s inflexibility and apparent insensitivity to your desires. More than the fear that you won’t get to go back to your school and your friends.”
“Yes. But… I…”
“You can’t talk about it?”
“Yes. I wish I could… but…”
“That’s alright. I think we both need to look on the brighter side. It’s Christmas Day, after all. As my present to you, when the time is right, I will talk to your father.” Oichi smiled, seeing the look on Kaname’s face.
“Really?” Kaname looked ready to do cartwheels.
“Yes. How’s March work for you? Maybe February.”
Kaname smiled. She was beginning to grow fond of Miss Masako.
“O… whenever… it’s not as if I’m in a hurry or anything….”
“I’ll see what I can do. I can be pretty persuasive when I put my mind to it. For all of his bark and bite, your father is just a big puppy dog at heart. Maybe it would be easier if I just put him on a leash!”
Kaname gaped. She would never have seen her father as a puppy dog.
Oichi smiled. Kaname grinned in return.
“Do you have my father well trained?” Kaname asked, incredulously. Her father? Trained?
“One does one’s best,” Miss Masako said with a wave of her hand. “But, to be honest, it’s not because of anything I’ve done… it’s because he cares for me, and I care for him.”
Kaname thought that she could be happy that her father had found someone to care about. He deserved to have someone care about him. He had put the pain of his wife’s passing behind him and was looking to move forward.
“Hmmmpppfff. I just usually use a halisen.“ Kaname laughed.
Oichi smiled. “You might just find that honey works better than vinegar.” She smiled. “Most of the time….”
“Not with Sousuke!!!”
“Really? Did you ever think that Sousuke may have wired your father the money to bring you here?”
Despite all of her concerns about Sousuke, Tokyo, and staying here, Kaname laughed.
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Sousuke looked down at his radar screen.
More troops were approaching his position.
Good. They could wait awhile.
There appeared to be few No Dong launchers left intact. Pity. After he took out the second ICBM, if the expected enemy Arm Slaves never showed up, he’d start to loose interest.
His logical thoughts couldn’t be held at bay forever. They kept washing against him like waves battering a lighthouse, loosening the bricks bit by bit. Why hadn’t the enemy launched the larger missiles? They could see they were sitting ducks, couldn’t they? Where were the Arm Slaves? The North Koreans might be this incompetent, but NOT Grendel. This could all be some kind of trick or trap. There may indeed be something that the Intel boys and girls had overlooked.
Assaulted by his conscience on one side and by reason on the other, Sosuke grumbled and turned up the music again. Let the pompous idiots who plan things do all the thinking. Let the shipboard chaplains decide for everyone else what was wrong or right in their lives.
It was time to tear things down and shake things up.
He would kill everyone who still stood in his way.
He didn’t give a damn if God sorted them out or not.
‘Ah-ah-ahhhh-ah, ah-ah-ahhh-ah
‘We come from the land of the ice and snow
‘From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow
‘Hammer of the gods
‘We'll drive our ships to new lands
‘To fight the horde, sing an' cry
‘Valhalla, I am coming
The slashing melody of the song hammered at him. He shouted with battle lust, the images of Viking warriors dancing in his head. This was what life was all about---fighting the good fight. If one were destined to die, let it be in battle! When the battle was over, it would be time for a haunch of mutton, a horn of mead, and a half-naked wench.
It was true, he had never been a drinker.
And, despite all of his new found bravado, he was innocent in the ways of the flesh.
But, all things must change!!!
‘On we sweep with threshing oar
‘Our only goal will be the western shore
‘Ah-ah-ahhhh-ah, ah-ah-ahhh-ah
‘We come from the land of the ice and snow
‘From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow
‘How soft your fields so green
‘Can whisper tales of gore
‘Of how we calmed the tides of war
‘We are your overlords….’
Yes. There could be no doubt who was the boss here. The second ICBM lay in a collapsed heap of burning metal. Lambda Driver shielding him, Sousuke ran right through the heart of the inferno, just because he could. He laughed, thinking about the things that had happened just minutes earlier:
‘Lord Sagara, we are ordered to halt our approach. There are Mithril soldiers working on the remaining Taepodong II. If we fire, they will be killed.’ The words were brought up on his view screen, as he had not acknowledged the A.I.’s verbal messages---he hadn’t been able to hear them over the songs. While
‘That’s their problem, not ours, Al. Maintain weapons lock. Launch at my command.’
‘Yes, Lord Sagara.’
Sousuke came ever so close to firing right there and then. Something stopped him. He brought the ARX-7 to a halt. The faint echo of familiar words echoed in his ears.
‘Moron’
‘Big idiot.’
‘Jerk.’
‘Stupid head.’
‘You can’t just blow everything up, Sousuke. There are people around.’
The words grew in volume, a great chorus of dissent.
“Al, open a communication link to all ground forces immediately.” He bit his lip, hard. Blood welled up in the ravaged tissue, then began to run down his chin and onto his neck. What were those words? He had to quiet that voice again.
“This is Sousuke Sagara, overlord of the battlefield. I suggest that all troops move back from the remaining Taepodong missile if they wish to go on living. I will fire on that target in twenty seconds time. Mark.”
There was nothing wrong with sparing those men. They were on his side. They were furthering his goals. It had nothing to do with his conscience telling him what to do.
“Al, begin a digital countdown from twenty seconds.”
Of course, if they were too slow or too stupid to move, that wouldn’t be his concern.
“Yes, Lord Sagara.” Large digital numbers appeared on the HUD, counting backwards.
When 00:00 had showed on the counter, he fired missiles at the ICBM. He cursed, realizing that he had forgetten to order the A.I. to record that explosion as well.
’Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh….. Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh….. Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah….. Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh….. Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh….. Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh.’
His thoughts returned to the given moment. The song was over. He’d need to select another one.
He needed more targets too!!!
Stacy has slipped out of doors, wanting to do some quick reconnoitering. The bag went with her everywhere she went. Anybody who decided to mess with her would get a rather unpleasant surprise. Kaname would make double sure that the girl never had a chance to meet Sousuke.
They would either fall in love at first sight, or blow each other up.
Mr. Smith lay slouched over his chair, asleep. His snoring almost drowned out the sounds of activity in the kitchen. Kaname had to keep from scowling. That was the man who had done such a good job for her father? She was supposed to feel safe around him? Well, with his bulk, at least the chair wouldn’t jump up and try to gnaw off her head or anything.
Kaname felt a little bit contrite. Maybe the man was much different out in the field. It was a holiday, after all. It was a time for rest.
Yeh. Right. And maybe Kaname could flap her arms and fly all the way back to Tokyo!
That all meant that Kaname was left alone with Oichi.
“You really look a lot different in person, Kaname. I haven’t seen any recent pictures of you.” Miss Masako smiled, sitting primly on the edge of the sofa, her hands in her lap. “You look a lot like your father. Ayame takes after your mother.”
Kaname had no desire for small talk. To hear that woman talk about her mother irritated her. Oichi wasn’t familiar with her mother. All she could ever do is look at the photographs spreads throughout the house.
Photographs.
If that woman hadn’t even seen a recent photograph of her, what did that mean? Maybe her father hadn’t cared enough to show her one. Great. Don’t go bothering the new girlfriend with pictures of his oldest daughter!
“Yes.”
That was all Kaname said.
It was all she trusted herself to say.
Part of her was annoyed with her behavior. Other than Sousuke, who else had she ever treated that way? Well, Sousuke, Shirai, and anyone else who deserved it, that is.
She realized that she hadn’t sent her father any recent photographs. How could he show what he didn’t even have?
“I understand you are very involved with sports and activities at school. Student council Vice President and class representative, both. Your father is very proud of you, you know.” The woman’s smile was beginning to set Kaname on edge.
Kaname clamped her mouth shut. She had wanted to say ‘Yeh, right!’ Her father didn’t seem too proud of her lately, did he? And, she didn’t much want to think about school, for all of the obvious reasons.
“Sure.”
Kaname almost smacked herself in the forehead. That came out really nice, didn’t it. She had to pull herself together. Her father was counting on her. Somehow, that didn’t seem like a very strong motivation at the moment.
Oichi kept smiling. But, there was a hint of something in her eyes. Kaname felt ashamed. The woman couldn’t help that she wasn’t her mother. It wasn’t her fault that Kaname might be trapped here in America. Or was it? Suddenly, her mind seemed eager to find something to take offense at.
What kind of conversations had she held with Father?
Might she have influenced his decision?
No. relax. Be real!
That was not her father’s way. Family decisions were his to make. His and his alone. Ever since his wife had died.
“It’s really nice that you’re over here, now. I have never seen Ayame this excited before. She must be very happy to have her big sister home.” Miss Masako could hear Ayame singing in the kitchen. Shunya was scolding her, telling her to stop sticking her fingers in everything. “She really dotes on your father, too.”
Oh, and I don’t, is that it?
Kaname bit her lip. Why was she acting this way? Did she really feel so threatened by Oichi?
The woman just happened to keep hitting on things she didn’t want to talk about. Kaname was very happy to see her sister. But, she was less than pleased to be home now, realizing that she was a virtual prisoner.
“She’s a good kid.”
She needs a mother. You’re not her mother. No matter what you say or do.
Stop it, Kaname. Show a little class.
It’s not easy!
So what? You think whatever Sousuke is going through is easy? You think that it must be easy for Miss Masako to be sitting here, trying to get blood from a stone?
“Your father told me that you might come home and finish school in this country. That would be wonderful. I know how happy Ayame and your father would be. You and I could get to know one another that way too.”
Kaname couldn’t help herself. That had all hit a raw nerve. The rawest of nerves.
“Excuse me, please. Stacy has been gone a while. I should go check and make certain she’s OK.”
It was hard to keep from running out of the room.
She found the Mithril agent outside.
“Are you alright?” Stacy walked up to Kaname after giving the street one more quick glance.
“No.” Kaname sat on the front steps, her head in her hands.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m acting like such a jerk. I spend so much time yelling at a certain mutton-headed military misfit about his clueless and inconsiderate behavior, but I acted far worse than he ever did.”
Kaname pulled at her hair angrily. “I don’t know what to do. I’ve never felt quite this way before. Everything is pushing so hard on me…. I feel like I’m being crushed.”
“So you need someone to take things out on, huh?” Stacy nodded her head. She had felt that way before herself---after her sister disappeared.
Kaname looked up. She wore a contemplative look. She listened as Stacy continued.
“Sure. It’s not surprising, really. You’ve been through a lot. You’ve been disappointed… hurt… scared…angered. Probably doesn’t feel like there is any way out. Maybe even feels as if the whole world is out to get you. Right?” Stacy pulled up a piece of grass, stripped it, and chewed on one end.
Kaname nodded her head.
“There’s no one you can hit back at, really. You can’t blame Mithril for needing Sousuke. You can’t blame your father for wanting you safe. You can’t blame your sister for being happy that you’re here instead of Tokyo. Despite your father’s decisions, you don’t dare take out all of your anger and frustration on him.” Kim spat out the grass.
Kaname knew what she was leading up to.
“She seems like a nice enough lady. I think she really wants to be friends with you. But, she’s an easy target, right? She’s not your mother, and you worry that she may try to take her place. She cares about your father, so you figure she’ll side with him against you.”
Kaname nodded again. “I thought Mithril agents were supposed to be clueless and accident prone. You haven’t blown anything up. You’re pretty sharp too.”
Stacy pulled up another blade of grass. “Not really. I’ve been through tough times myself. My parents adopted a refugee a year before my sister was abducted. I gave him a very hard time for a while, after my sister was gone. It took some work, but we’re very close now. I had some growing up to do.”
“What did you do?” Kaname marveled at the twist of fate. She had needed a bodyguard, but was fortunate that Stacy was more than that.
“My parents knocked some sense into me. They explained that they were worried about my sister too. They said that they loved me and my adopted brother. I found out that my brother spent every night at the foot of their bed, crying himself to sleep. He missed our sister too.” Stacy looked off into the distance. She sighed.
Kaname sat quietly. She knew that Stacy was still dealing with the things that life had brought her. It was work. Things didn’t just get better. It was foolish to wish otherwise.
“They didn’t scold me. They didn’t cajole me or threaten me. My parents simply asked me to put myself in my brother’s shoes. How did he feel? What did he want? How did my actions affect him? It really opened my eyes. After that, when I understood myself, I spoke with him, telling him how I felt.” Stacy reached up to wipe tears away.
“He hugged me. He started crying. He asked me not to leave him, too. I had never felt so rotten about myself before” Stacy took out her compact, wanting to make certain that her tears didn’t ruin her make-up.
Kaname started giggling. Then, she actually laughed.
“What?” Stacy looked perturbed.
“It’s not about your story. It’s just that when you began checking out your face, it was funny. Someone with a bag full of guns and ammunition… an agent for a secret organization… fixing her make-up. It just doesn’t compute, not after dealing with a certain walking disaster. Sorry. I can’t help myself.” Kaname smiled, feeling a weight lift off her.
“Hmmmpppfff!” Stacy tried to look insulted. She couldn’t help but smile too. “So, what are you going to do?” She looked at Kaname out of the corner of one eye.
“I’m going to be a friend and suggest that you go inside and use the bathroom mirror. Your face needs a lot of work.” Kaname put her hand over her mouth, hiding her grin.
“What?!!” Stacy pretended to be outraged.
“I’m going to go inside and speak with her.” Kaname said, seriously.
“Good.” Stacy nodded her head.
“She might have some good make-up tips….”
Kaname ran when Stacy reached inside of her bag.
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“Al, target the base of the rocket booster with a flight of Javelin missiles. Ascending spread. Center reference, with flanking auxiliaries”
“Yes, Lord Sagara.”
This should be simple. The stupid missile may be tall at thirty-two meters, but it was small as ICBM’s go. There was a gap between the stages, suggesting it was based on older Russian or Chinese technology. Laughable. He’d take out this one, then the next.
Making a quick scan of the battlefield, he waited to see if anyone would challenge him. He didn’t really want it to be so easy.
Waves of strike aircraft were coming in, targeting the smaller No Dong missiles that were spread throughout the area. Mithril Arm Slaves were assaulting the range control and missile assembling facilities, with ground troops in support.
Enemy forces were engaging the teams headed for the two large missiles. Some were veering off from those areas, heading for him. Good. It was almost time to hunt.
“Too slow. I’ll give them a chance to defend the second missile. Al, fire on the first target.”
“Firing, Lord Sagara.”
Sousuke watched as rockets streaked out away from Arbalest. This kind of moment could really use some popcorn. Or a remote control, so he could watch it again if he wanted to. Maybe in slow motion.
“Al, record the visual.”
“Yes, Lord Sagara.”
It happened so fast. The missiles struck the lower stage of the towering metal weapon, causing multiple small explosions. Just as the ICBM began to crumble, the liquid propellant inside it ignited, sending a huge mushrooming cloud of fire outward. An ever-expanding cloud of flame spread across the first launch pad. Large and small fragments of metal fell, bounced, and rolled to a stop far from the site of detonation, some trailing arcs of flame or sooty smoke.
High resolution images showed Mirthril troops throwing themselves under cover, just outside of the raging conflagration.
Ooops. Guess they wouldn’t be getting any evidence out of that missile. My bad!
Sousuke laughed. That had felt so good. Imagine, his so-called superiors thought they could give him commands. He was his own commander now. Anything they might say would better be termed a suggestion. They should be getting that point about now.
Something inside of him shouted for attention, saying what he was doing was wrong. There were reasons that other people gave the orders. It was his duty and obligation to obey such orders. The enemy were the ones who flaunted the rules of decency and international law. That’s why they were here, to stop them. There were countless innocent people whose lives were at stake.
Kaname was in danger.
“No! If those fools want to just sit back and act like sheep, that’s their business. I don’t see any of them here today, fighting to protect the ones they love.” Sousuke clenched his fists and shook his head.
“Love is not even the issue. Either they fight for themselves, or they are irrelevant. The enemy is only the enemy because they stand in my way. The people pretending to lead this mission are hiding back on the submarine. I’m here. I have a right to do as I please. If I am the strongest, I make the rules!”
Kaname was in danger!
Sousuke grimaced. That thought sent tendrils deep within him, trying to take up root. It threatened to distract him, weaken him.
She does not command me. Those fools hiding back on Da Danaan do not command me. No one and nothing does!
His thoughts turned outward and upward. He was not a devoutly religious person, but had a tenuous bond with his creator. It was another subject he had walled off, leaving it generally unexplored. He had always been afraid of what a just and loving God might think of him and his line of work.
Images crossed his mind. Charleston Heston. Moses. ‘The Ten Commandments.’
Why was he seeing that? The movie did have some interesting military sequences, with chariots racing across the desert. But, Sousuke much preferred ‘Planet of The Apes,’ ‘The Omega Man,’ and ‘Soylent Green!’
He saw himself standing on a mountain.
Fire streamed outward, burning words into two huge stone tablets.
THOU SHALT HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME
No! It was just more rules.
God never said that. The Commandments were man’s doing. Just another way to keep people in line. Just another way to limit and restrain everyone. Just another way to keep people like me from reaching their potential and getting what they deserve.
THOU SHALT NOT MAKE UNTO THEE ANY GRAVEN IMAGES
Who says that I have! But, if I want to worship Arbalest and the power it gives me, I will. If I want to place my faith in guns and other weapons that I can see and hold in my hand, I will. Who’s going to stop me?
No one has the right!
THOU SHALT NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD THY GOD IN VAIN
To Hell with that! I’ll damn whomever I want. I’ll curse anyone and everyone who stands in my way. If God has something to say about it, he can discuss it with me!
Well, go ahead.
See, not a problem!
REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY
Today IS the Sabbath day.
This will be a day that NO ONE forgets.
I’ll make sure of that.
HONOR THY FATHER AND MOTHER
My father and mother are dead. Where was God when they needed him? They followed the rules. They trusted in civilized society and the goodness of people. They never had a chance.
I’ll honor them by being everything I was destined to be.
THOU SHALT NOT KILL
Nonsense!!!
How else can you get control... stay in control... remove those things that threaten your control. The verse in the Quran makes more sense. ‘Take not life, which God has made sacred, except by way of justice and law.’
He would decide what is just or not. He would make the laws!
THOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY
I’ll take whatever I want. If the woman becomes a widow, then it won’t be adultery.
The girl he was most interested in wasn't even married.
Grinding his hands into his eyes, Sousuke forced away images of Kaname.
THOU SHALT NOT STEAL
If something is mine, then there can be no stealing. I will decide what does or does not belong to me. No one else’s opinions on the subject matter.
THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS AGAINST THY NEIGHBOR
There will be no need to lie. If my neighbor is foolish enough to challenge my authority, I will settle that argument swiftly, by removing him… his house… the whole neighborhood if necessary.
THOUGH SHALT NOT COVET.
Covet.
Desiring something that God has given to another.
It is not a problem. Kaname does not belong to anyone else. God hadn’t given her to anyone.
“Enough!!!” Sousuke shook his head violently, trying to shake away the thoughts of Kaname. They kept pulling at him. They kept forcing him to question himself.
“No more!!!”
The kiss.
Her arms around him.
The feel of her head on his shoulder.
The sense of someone caring for him as he is.
“As...... I...... WAS!!!” Sousuke slammed his arms down hard, without shutting off the waldo. The Arbalest made the same motion, hitting only air.
“Screw Kaname!!!” The violent verbal denouncement had two effects. Sousuke felt frightened momentarily, as if he had witnessed something horrendous that he was powerless to act against. He also felt a tightening in his loins.
“Yes, screw Kaname. No doubt she wants it. Not that her wanting it matters. I will take what I want, then throw the rest away! She‘ll serve whatever purpose I desire.”
Those two emotions opened the door for others.
“These thoughts are all so worthless and irrelevant. I will do what I want to do.” That is all that truly matters. Everything else serves my needs.
“Al, target the second Taepodong missile. Ready the next flight of Javelins.”
“Targeting, Lord Sagara. Missile lock complete.”
The war going on inside of Sousuke proved more challenging than the one he faced outside of the ARX-7. His conscience tried desperately to pull itself out of the refuse bin. Words, thoughts, arguments, and pleas began inserting themselves into his conscious mind.
Grateful for a reprieve, his attention was drawn to the forward view screen.
Two huge trails of fire began heading skyward, just off to the side. Smoke billowed out from their bases, obscuring the ground around them. Sousuke didn’t need to hear the A.I.’s report to know what was happening.
“Two No Dong missiles have launched, Lord Sagara.”
So, those idiots couldn’t get the job done without him, could they? It was a damn good thing he was standing right here, wasn’t it!
Bringing around his Bofors without disengaging the automatic targeting of the remaining ICBM, Souske called out a battle cry and fired, knocking both missiles from the sky. Nothing could get by him!
“I hope you all take note of my success,” he said into his microphone. “Had I been listening to all of you, two missiles would be on their way to their targets. Cretins!”
The distraction could have defeated his emotions’ attempts to take hold. It didn’t. The savage aspect of him was triumphant, without a doubt. But, the civilized part was relieved---those missiles would not have any chance of harming Kaname.
The threat detector started beeping, calling for attention.
Missiles incoming…… low altitude…… ATGMs! He had been so caught up with extraneous thoughts, he had forgotten about the ground troops.
Idiots. They are just wasting their weapons. I should let them flail away impotently, but I find their existence annoying. Their efforts are an affront.
“Al, expand the force shield. Concentrate force energies in your finger tips, pistol style, as discussed earlier.”
“Lambda Driver field stable. Energies directed as ordered.”
Sousuke took control of the Lambda Driver with his mind.
“Bang!!!”
Energies shot forth from Arbalest’;s extended hand, keeping a tenuous connection to the field surrounding the Arm Slave. Rapidly advancing anti-tank vehicles and APCs were tossed about like leaves in a whirlwind.
“Bang!!!”
The troops in concealment could not hide from Arbalest’s thermal imaging devices. They had no defense against the force that wiped them clean from this world.
That’s better.
That’s much better.
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It was very difficult for Kaname.
Her emotions were all tied in knots. She was feeling embarrassed. It was hard to find the words for inviting Oichi to speak with her. The older woman was sitting on the couch, in the process of being regaled with stories from Mr. Smith’s days on the force.
“So I said to this snot nose kid, ‘Move, and your father will be shocked to find out he has a daughter instead of a son.’ Man, did that boy ever run. He knew I wasn’t the type to mess around. We didn’t have too many more jaywalkers at the college campus again, I can assure you!”
Kaname was so pleased to see the half dozen empty beer bottle near the man. She felt so safe. If only Sousuke were here. There were so many things he could learn from such a font of knowledge and champion of the peace.
“Well, I’m certain the community finds itself in your debt, Mr. Smith. No doubt that father was very glad he still had a son.” Miss Masako was a real trooper. Her smile hadn’t faded a bit. Kaname owed her another debt---no one should be left alone that long with a man so happy to talk about himself.
“No. His son probably learned his disrespect of the law from him. If people were all like you it would be a different story. Most people are jerks, you know? When there’s a burglar prowling around their house, they are happy to see you. Otherwise, they would just as soon want to spit on you. That’s why I took my expertise and years of experience into the bodyguard business. Nothing but happy and satisfied customers there.”
Kaname grimaced. Happy happy. Joy joy.
It was time.
She couldn’t put it off any longer.
“Mr. Smith, I hope you will excuse me. Miss Masako, could I speak with you for a minute?” Kaname bowed.
“Sure. Go ahead darlin.’ My stories will wait.” Mr. Smith finished off his remaining bottle.
Oichi looked at Kaname uncertainly, letting her guard down some. Yes. Certainly.”
“Do you mind walking outside? I could do with some fresh air.” Kaname had no doubt that the older woman would catch her meaning.
“That sounds good. I need to stretch my legs some.” She looked over at Mr. Smith, then back at Kaname.
Kaname just shook her head.
Mr. Smith made no effort to accompany them. He did speak up, however. “Don’t worry. These streets are safe. You won’t run into any trouble out there, not on Christmas. But, if something does come up, one of you come back and let me know. I’ll be ready.”
Walking down the hallway, Oichi coughed into her hand and then spoke to Kaname. “That is the man that your father hired to look after you?”
“Yes, mam. It certainly is.” Kaname couldn’t keep the contempt out of her voice.
“I will have to have a talk with him then.” Miss Masako’s voice was so firm, that Kaname couldn’t help but smile. It was marvelous to think of her father getting a good talking to.
As the two women passed through the door outside, Kaname gave a subtle hand signal to Stacy. The blond girl and her shopping bag would follow behind at an appropriate distance.
Kaname grinned.
She was having Sousuke withdrawals. She almost hoped that someone would try something, just to see the look on his face when a teenage girl shoved the barrel of a .50 caliber pistol up his nose.
She sighed, wishing Sousuke was there with her.
Kaname and Oichi walked a few blocks. Kaname tried to find the first words, since they might be the most important. Oichi was clever enough to wait.
The truth, Kaname.
Just tell her the truth.
Everything. Except about Mithril and world events.
“I’m really sorry. I acted like a jerk back there. I had no excuse for my bad behavior.” The words all came out in a rush.
“Yes, you were quite the jerk, alright.” Oichi agreed amiably. She knew exactly what tact she wanted to take.
“What?” Kaname’s pride spoke first. She had expected polite acceptance and solemn forgiveness.
“You were quite the jerk.” Miss Masako stopped and waved her arm. “Back there. We’re not back there any more, though.”
“Yes. I know. I just wanted….” Kaname ran down. There were so many issues.
She almost felt like some kind of loser or weakling, letting things bother her like this. Despite the hard times she had once faced, she often found herself looking at other people with issues like they were some kind of pariah. Now that the shoe was on the other foot again, she had an uncomplimentary view of herself.
“To start over?” Oichi asked hopefully. Her eyes were vulnerable at that moment. Kaname realized just how much her father’s girlfriend wanted Kaname to like her.
It touched her heart.
“O yes. Will you forgive me? Please?” Kaname’s words spilled out, as much a plea as an apology.
“When do you need an answer?” The older woman tried to keep a straight face, but couldn’t. The look on Kaname’s face had been precious. “Yes, I will be glad to.”
“Thank you. I feel so much better. I behaved really badly. I… I…”
“Felt a little threatened? Because I’m not your mother?” Miss Masako had expected this. By all accounts, Kaname was more resistant to change than Ayame was.
“Yes.”
“Well, to be honest, I felt the same way.”
“What?” Kaname stopped walking, uncertain of what she had just heard.
“I felt a little worried too, Kaname. I’m not your mother. I was afraid that you’d react to me just the way you did. No, that’s not really it. I was really afraid you would feel that way, but put on some false show for my benefit.” Oichi looked Kaname in the eyes.
“Your behavior hurt me, but at least it was honest. I see why your father gets so angry with you some times. But, I also see why he is so proud, too. It took a big heart to apologize like this.”
“I’m not usually like that.” Kaname found herself wanting Oichi to believe her. She also found herself wanting to talk to an adult about the way she felt.
“It’s just that I’ve been so stressed, lately. So many things have happened. It seems like I haven’t had a say in anything.”
Miss Masako nodded her head. “I know what that feels like, sometimes. I take it that your father’s thoughts about keeping you here with him and Ayame doesn’t sit well with you?”
“No. I love my father. Under different circumstances, I would be happy to be here now. It’s… It’s… it’s just so many things!” Kaname found herself shaking. The world seemed to be pushing in on her again. She wanted to find a peaceful place to rest, but her problems followed her even closer than Ayame usually did.
Oichi put a hand on Kaname’s arm. “I won’t pry. You don’t owe me any more explanation than you’ve already given me. But, if you want to talk, I’m a good listener.”
Kaname stared at Miss Masako. She felt a great welling of gratitude building up inside of her. She nodded her head, then tossed her hair. It was time to stop wallowing in self pity.
“My father has a thing about boys. He doesn’t want me dating. He won’t even consider the thought of me and a boy in a room together.” Kaname kicked at a rock on the sidewalk. “I wonder if he can even remember being a teenager.”
Oichi smiled. “I had a father like that. If a boy even walked too close to our house in Osaka, he’d run to grab his grandfather’s sword. There was quite a show the day I hid it under my bed.” She shook her head reminiscing.
“He just wanted to protect me. He didn’t want to lose his little girl. But, we all have to grow up some time… some of use earlier than others, right?”
“Yes,” Kaname answered, realizing that her father must have told Oichi about her earlier life.
“So, what’s his name?” Oiche’s look was shrewd.
The question came right out of the blue. Kaname found herself momentarily tongue-tied.
“Uh… I… who?” Kaname’s innate response was to deny everything.
“The boy you couldn’t possibly have any interest in.” Oichi smiled. She had been there too.
“Sousuke.” Kaname’s voice was quiet. Looked down at her feet, she grabbed the edge of her skirt with one hand.
“Did the two of you have a fight before you left?” Miss Masako wondered what had Kaname feeling so down all of a sudden.
Kaname shook her head. “No. We spend a lot of time together, but I never really thought of him romantically. When we each finally started realizing something, he was called away and I had to come here. We had planned to spend time together, figuring things out. I don’t know if we will ever have that chance again.”
“Called away?” Oichi raised one eyebrow.
“Yes. But I really can’t talk about that.” Kaname kicked herself. Feeling sad was no excuse for being stupid.
“You’re afraid your father won’t let you go back? You wonder if the opportunity is lost forever, if you and Sousuke have too much time to think?”
“I… I don’t know. I’ve been thinking about things a lot. I miss him. I would give anything to be able to see him and know he was safe.” Kaname bit her lip. There she goes again!
Oichi wisely didn’t probe any further in the one direction. “But you don’t think your father will trust you to go back to Tokyo on your own?”
“He doesn’t even want to hear about Sousuke. That would be bad enough any time, but now it’s….” Kaname ran down. She couldn’t even trust herself to speak. “He made it clear long ago that I couldn’t date until college. I don’t even know if he’ll give me his blessing then!”
Miss Masako stood looking at Kaname, wondering if she should ask certain questions. It was obviously doing Kaname some good to talk to someone, and as much as she loved Shunya. She knew that his strength was not as a conversationalist. At least not with his daughters, whom he felt duty-bound to raise in the proper traditions.
“Something else is worrying you. Not just your father’s inflexibility and apparent insensitivity to your desires. More than the fear that you won’t get to go back to your school and your friends.”
“Yes. But… I…”
“You can’t talk about it?”
“Yes. I wish I could… but…”
“That’s alright. I think we both need to look on the brighter side. It’s Christmas Day, after all. As my present to you, when the time is right, I will talk to your father.” Oichi smiled, seeing the look on Kaname’s face.
“Really?” Kaname looked ready to do cartwheels.
“Yes. How’s March work for you? Maybe February.”
Kaname smiled. She was beginning to grow fond of Miss Masako.
“O… whenever… it’s not as if I’m in a hurry or anything….”
“I’ll see what I can do. I can be pretty persuasive when I put my mind to it. For all of his bark and bite, your father is just a big puppy dog at heart. Maybe it would be easier if I just put him on a leash!”
Kaname gaped. She would never have seen her father as a puppy dog.
Oichi smiled. Kaname grinned in return.
“Do you have my father well trained?” Kaname asked, incredulously. Her father? Trained?
“One does one’s best,” Miss Masako said with a wave of her hand. “But, to be honest, it’s not because of anything I’ve done… it’s because he cares for me, and I care for him.”
Kaname thought that she could be happy that her father had found someone to care about. He deserved to have someone care about him. He had put the pain of his wife’s passing behind him and was looking to move forward.
“Hmmmpppfff. I just usually use a halisen.“ Kaname laughed.
Oichi smiled. “You might just find that honey works better than vinegar.” She smiled. “Most of the time….”
“Not with Sousuke!!!”
“Really? Did you ever think that Sousuke may have wired your father the money to bring you here?”
Despite all of her concerns about Sousuke, Tokyo, and staying here, Kaname laughed.
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Sousuke looked down at his radar screen.
More troops were approaching his position.
Good. They could wait awhile.
There appeared to be few No Dong launchers left intact. Pity. After he took out the second ICBM, if the expected enemy Arm Slaves never showed up, he’d start to loose interest.
His logical thoughts couldn’t be held at bay forever. They kept washing against him like waves battering a lighthouse, loosening the bricks bit by bit. Why hadn’t the enemy launched the larger missiles? They could see they were sitting ducks, couldn’t they? Where were the Arm Slaves? The North Koreans might be this incompetent, but NOT Grendel. This could all be some kind of trick or trap. There may indeed be something that the Intel boys and girls had overlooked.
Assaulted by his conscience on one side and by reason on the other, Sosuke grumbled and turned up the music again. Let the pompous idiots who plan things do all the thinking. Let the shipboard chaplains decide for everyone else what was wrong or right in their lives.
It was time to tear things down and shake things up.
He would kill everyone who still stood in his way.
He didn’t give a damn if God sorted them out or not.
‘Ah-ah-ahhhh-ah, ah-ah-ahhh-ah
‘We come from the land of the ice and snow
‘From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow
‘Hammer of the gods
‘We'll drive our ships to new lands
‘To fight the horde, sing an' cry
‘Valhalla, I am coming
The slashing melody of the song hammered at him. He shouted with battle lust, the images of Viking warriors dancing in his head. This was what life was all about---fighting the good fight. If one were destined to die, let it be in battle! When the battle was over, it would be time for a haunch of mutton, a horn of mead, and a half-naked wench.
It was true, he had never been a drinker.
And, despite all of his new found bravado, he was innocent in the ways of the flesh.
But, all things must change!!!
‘On we sweep with threshing oar
‘Our only goal will be the western shore
‘Ah-ah-ahhhh-ah, ah-ah-ahhh-ah
‘We come from the land of the ice and snow
‘From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow
‘How soft your fields so green
‘Can whisper tales of gore
‘Of how we calmed the tides of war
‘We are your overlords….’
Yes. There could be no doubt who was the boss here. The second ICBM lay in a collapsed heap of burning metal. Lambda Driver shielding him, Sousuke ran right through the heart of the inferno, just because he could. He laughed, thinking about the things that had happened just minutes earlier:
‘Lord Sagara, we are ordered to halt our approach. There are Mithril soldiers working on the remaining Taepodong II. If we fire, they will be killed.’ The words were brought up on his view screen, as he had not acknowledged the A.I.’s verbal messages---he hadn’t been able to hear them over the songs. While
‘That’s their problem, not ours, Al. Maintain weapons lock. Launch at my command.’
‘Yes, Lord Sagara.’
Sousuke came ever so close to firing right there and then. Something stopped him. He brought the ARX-7 to a halt. The faint echo of familiar words echoed in his ears.
‘Moron’
‘Big idiot.’
‘Jerk.’
‘Stupid head.’
‘You can’t just blow everything up, Sousuke. There are people around.’
The words grew in volume, a great chorus of dissent.
“Al, open a communication link to all ground forces immediately.” He bit his lip, hard. Blood welled up in the ravaged tissue, then began to run down his chin and onto his neck. What were those words? He had to quiet that voice again.
“This is Sousuke Sagara, overlord of the battlefield. I suggest that all troops move back from the remaining Taepodong missile if they wish to go on living. I will fire on that target in twenty seconds time. Mark.”
There was nothing wrong with sparing those men. They were on his side. They were furthering his goals. It had nothing to do with his conscience telling him what to do.
“Al, begin a digital countdown from twenty seconds.”
Of course, if they were too slow or too stupid to move, that wouldn’t be his concern.
“Yes, Lord Sagara.” Large digital numbers appeared on the HUD, counting backwards.
When 00:00 had showed on the counter, he fired missiles at the ICBM. He cursed, realizing that he had forgetten to order the A.I. to record that explosion as well.
’Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh….. Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh….. Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah….. Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh….. Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh….. Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh.’
His thoughts returned to the given moment. The song was over. He’d need to select another one.
He needed more targets too!!!