perspectives, just to keep you on your toes
Regards
* * *
Sleep. Precious little resource, especially for someone in a high-profile, high-pressure position like myself. How the hell can anyone sleep when all you do all day is deal with not the egos and arrogance of one person, but of an an entire government?
I swore to myself as I tossed and turned for the umpteenth time, trying to fall asleep. I haven't slept for the last week, I should just go out like a light! I rolled over again, looking for that comfort zone. Nope, not here. Rolled again. Nope, not it either. Just then the phone decided to ringing, giving me some reprieve.
"Yeah?"
"Security here. Sorry to wake you, Ambassador..."
"Never mind about me, what's going on?"
"We've got a problem in the guest rooms."
Oh, shit! "Get a security team up there now, and lock down the Consulate!"
"They're already there, sir. They've also requested the presence of the in-house physician as well."
"I'll be right there." What the hell?!
It didn't take long for me to get my answer. Three men from security in various states of injury carried out their fourth comrade, who was semi-unconscious and had the worst of it. The doctor and Kaname were off to a corner of the room; she was somewhere between rage and shock, probably more the latter. Sousuke was himself sprawled on the floor face-down.
"Alright, I'll bite, Doctor. What happened?"
"Well, Security was doing the rounds awhile ago, when they came on the guest rooms and heard some screaming and yelling. Thinking something was up, they broke in and found Mr Sagara here going ape all over the place. Namely the bed, the room,... and Miss Chidori as well."
"Going... ape?"
"Look, Ambassador," His voice dropped down so as Kaname couldn't hear. "I've heard of having bad nightmares, but what Mr Sagara was up to wouldn't lead me to think he was just having that. I think I'd better speak to Miss Chidori... in private."
"How'd Mr Sagara end up... like that?"
"He'll be out for a good hour, at least. Got a nerve chop for his troubles... AFTER giving more than he got to the security team."
I sighed and looked at my watch. Six o'clock... in the morning. So much for trying to get some sleep. Damnit! "Alright, Doc. Find me in my study when you're done. And I'll put another security team just outside, just incase. Anything else?"
* * *
The Doctor came in just under an hour later, carrying a pad's worth of notes. I had just gotten off the phone with the LAPD, trying to calm a rightfully angry desk sergeant that the Consulate lockdown was an accident, and didn't require any further attention.
"Yes, Sir... I know this is a serious matter... I know that!... Look, it was an accident on our end, write it up as that or whatever strikes your fancy! I don't care which! Goddamnit!"
"Richards on duty again?"
I shook my head. "So what've you got, Doc?"
"Well, she pretty much corroborated what Security said had happened. Something's bugging me though, Ambassador."
"What's that?"
"Look, I know you've got your reasons for saying these two kids are special guests of the Consulate. Fine, I can live with that. But if they're staying for any length of time, I'm going to need their medical histories, that kind of thing."
"And...?"
"Ambassador... something's up with these two. I know it. I know you've got your reasons, but..."
"Look, Doc. They're not your concern. Write up whatever Miss Chidori told you, and be done with it."
"Francis... she told me this wasn't the first time she'd seen something like this happen to Mr Sagara."
I froze. "What?"
"I said, this has happened to him before. I'm not a psychologist, but something's telling me it's a psychological reaction more than anything. Here..." He handed me his pad of notes. "Right here, she mentions that he had problems sleeping, and that his breathing was irregular."
"So? Still could've just been a nightmare."
"Read some more, Ambassador."
I took the pad and started scanning the handwritten notes. "...wouldn't wake up... didn't believe he was safe... attacked subject as if didn't know her... was a threat..." I stopped at the next point. "Started... muttering... incoherent... sounded like a name?... Like living something he'd done before again?"
"Her exact words."
I put the pad down, leaned back in my seat and took a deep breath. "So what do you want me to do?"
"First of all, tell me what exactly it is you've gotten yourself into this time."
"I can't, I'm under orders."
"Orders? Bullshit!"
"Just as you can't go against your Hippocratic Oath, I can't go against the orders of my own conscience, Doc. I have to help Mr Sagara and Miss Chidori, consequences be damned! If it means my career, so be it."
"At least keep them here for a few days. Shouldn't hurt, right? It'll give me time to figure out what's up with Mr Sagara."
"Can't. They'll both be gone in less than twenty-four hours, hopefully. They can't stay longer than that. Any longer and alert flags are going to be raised."
"Flags are already raised, Ambassador! That little 'pickup trip' of yours out to the LA airport..."
"That's enough, Doc. What's done is done! Let it rest!"
"I've got a bad feeling we'll all live to regret that."
"I'll take the heat for it. Just... do what you can for Mr Sagara and Miss Chidori."
* * *
She stood outside of the door to her room, part of her thinking she should just go in; it was her right, wasn't it? The other part wanting to leave, after all that had happened... last night, was it now? Has all that really happened to me in such a short span of time?
She knocked on the door. "Sousuke?"
No answer. She knocked again.
"Come in," was his flat reply.
She found him lying on the bed, more accurately tied to it. The Doctor had thought it best he be restrained, just in case, and get some rest for the rest of the day. The dark part of her mind thought it rather appropriate; at least he couldn't run around and cause more trouble.
"I brought you some water."
"Thank you, Chidori."
"Why is it you get so formal with me whenever you are about to or have done something stupid?"
Taken aback, he tried again. "Thank you... Kaname."
She set the glass next to the bed and stepped back. The silence was awkward. What do I... no, he should... no, shouldn't I... "I'm... I'm going now." Let's see what he does about that!
She was already by the door when... Godamnit!! "SOUSUKE!!"
He didn't respond.
"WOULD YOU DROP THIS STUPID MACHO CRAP OF YOURS AND TALK TO ME?!?!"
"I have nothing to say to you."
"Oh, that is just SO brilliant... it surpasses even your usual level of stupidity, Sousuke!" She pulled up a chair next to the bed and put herself in his full view. "Sousuke! Look at me!"
He did.
"Tell me what you're thinking."
"It is nothing you would understand."
"Try me! Pretend I'm your commanding officer and I've just ordered you to tell me what's on your mind! Heck, tell it to me using one of your past military experiences for all I care!"
"I feel... as I have betrayed a most sacred trust... I feel as if I have let down a comrade at a critical point on the battlefield, and that comrade has paid for my mistake... I feel as I must atone for it somehow... but a mere mortal will not be able to atone for it...I feel... ashamed of myself..."
"...and you're torturing yourself by ignoring me? Sousuke! God help me, but I think I'm beginning to understand you!"
He sat up slightly. "You... you are?"
"Being around your stupid military antics must've rubbed off me! Much as I hate to admit it, I think my life wouldn't be the same if you or your craziness wasn't there all the time!"
"I would not recommend it. My kind of life is not for the faint of heart."
She felt a surge of rage that would've sated itself if she could just punch him one, but she'd let that slip for now. It's the way he is, and I don't think I'd want it to change... yet. "Sousuke... I've... I've done some reading."
"Into?"
"That folder Francis gave us... I read it some more..."
"Chidori, that file contains classified information... and Mr Chow is not to be trusted..."
"SHUT UP! When I'm pouring my heart out to you, KEEP YOUR MOUTH ZIPPED, SERGEANT!"
Lying in bed as he was, he still managed to keep that 'at attention' look about him.
"Sousuke, your lack of trust for our host aside, I couldn't help but notice your reaction to the folder when Francis tossed it on his desk. I am right in guessing you... you've read part of it before?"
"That is above your level of clearance."
"Sousuke... you have, haven't you?" She fixed him with a stare.
"Yes."
"When?"
"The morning I took you from class."
"Alright, Sousuke. I've poured out my heart to you, and now it's your turn to reciprocate. Tell me the whole story about what you read in this folder."
He stared off into space a minute or two before starting. "Mr Chow was right, I did get that folder from Mithril... from Major Kalinin. He... he promised to leave me some... 'interesting reading material'..."
"Interesting reading material?"
"His exact words, Kaname. He also said... there was another reason he wanted me to read it, though he did not specify. I suspect... it may tie in with him sending me to you for my... vacation. I admit, when I first read it, I could not help but find it very interesting... from a technical and analytical point of view. However, as I read more of it, it talked more and more of... people like you as if... as if they were not human beings any more... not fit to determine for themselves whether or not they would willingly give their lives for the advancement of humanity. Do not get me wrong, Kaname... what you possess does have the potential to advance humanity years... decades past from where we are now, but... but I do not want to see you pay the ultimate price for that advancement."
She stared at him for eternity before finally answering. "Sousuke... this may be the first time you've actually volunteered this much information without me asking. I really appreciate that, you know?"
"Then you are satisfied?"
She stood up to leave. "I don't blame you if you still don't trust Francis, but we have a dinner invitation from him for tonight. Formal dress, Sousuke."
"Formal... dress?"
* * *
Dinner was a notably quiet but subdued event. Much as I hated pomp and protocol, there were rare times that just seemed to make all the trouble worth it. Miss Chidori had put on a white evening gown my staff had gotten for her; low and snug fitting in the front for her ample clevage, even lower in the back for her perfectly sculpted back, matched by the elbow-length gloves and beautiful necklace around her neck... turquoise, I'd guess. Mr Sagara obviously fit well into the three-piece tux and bowtie, also obtained by my staff, and hated every minute of it. Every few minutes he had to tug at the bowtie, like it was choking him. I know that feeling. Guess formal dress isn't something he's used to yet I chuckled to myself.
James Bond, I presume popped into my head unbidden for some reason.
"Ah... I thank you for accepting my invitation to dinner, Mr Sagara."
"Mr Chow, I still have no reason to trust you, or believe you are on our side."
I struggled to hold the ladle still as I filled soup into the bowls. "Ah... you think I am an agent for the other side? Selling you both out for a few dollars? Secretly in league with nations that wish to procure Whispered individuals for their own nefarious purposes?"
"The thought had crossed my mind."
Miss Chidori was obviously not impressed. "Sousuke! Any way you put it, he's still our host! Try and be polite, would you?"
"Chidori..."
"Sousuke! Just enjoy it, would you?"
"Mr Sagara, if it helps, think of it as a last meal for the condemned man."
"Me or you?"
"Either one of us." I took a sip of the soup, savoring its flavor. I'm going to miss this. "You see, Mr Sagara, Miss Chidori, I've contacted Mithril and appraised them of the situation. They have no objection to your taking Miss Chidori to New York. In fact, they've arranged for discreet transport for you both to get there."
"And you are to assist us?"
"Correct, Mr Sagara."
"I still do not trust you, Mr Chow."
"Hm. Nothing I can do about that." A knock at the door, and a written message was delivered. The start of Act II. God, I HATE gambling against the odds! "Excuse me, you two. Please enjoy your meal without me."
"Sousuke! Where the hell are you manners?!"
"Chidori..."
"There again with the 'Chidori' stuff! Why can't you...!"
I'm going to miss this all I thought, as the doors closed behind me, and I left the couple to themselves.
* * *
"I enjoyed the production of Miss Saigon. Thank you for the recommendation." I have information to relay and wish to talk.
"I thought you would. Repeat performance is in a week." I am ready to recieve, we can talk freely.
My Mithril contact took a seat on the bench and I joined him. I won't miss this. "Your man still doesn't trust me."
"Trust is earned, not given." Patronizing, but true. Bastard!
"After everything I've revealed to him, I had hoped we could come to some kind of understanding."
"It is the nature of this business. See nothing, hear nothing. Just do as you're told."
"Fine. I have them both, as you requested. They're safe at the Consulate."
"Good. Keep it that way. We still need an hour or more to make the arrangements."
"Sterilization arrangements?" I asked.
"Your problem. We have our own. You want the bad news or the even worse news?"
I sighed. "Whatever keeps my dinner down longer."
"Almeracian is making his move for the White House. The announcement is tomorrow."
Hincks. "And the even worse news?"
* * *
Chidori was half-way into a slab of prime rib and attacking her third helping of mashed potates. I've forgotten how good real food is she thought. When was the last time I ate? Two... three days now? She looked over as Sousuke. He just sat there, staring out the window, his bowl of soup untouched.
"Sousuke, could you poison-test the vegtables for me?" The jab didn't work.
"Is it still about Francis? Alright, I admit something doesn't seem right with him. He's too smooth, too sure of himself. That usually spells trouble, so the first chance we get, we run. Okay?"
He still didn't respond.
"Sousuke!"
"I am sorry, Kaname, I was... trying to put how I am feeling into words."
"What feelings are those?"
"How I feel about you."
Her fork and knife clattered to the floor.
* * *
"JESUS CHRIST!! You guys even KNOW what kind of accusation you're making here?!" I bit my lip to keep myself from screaming any louder than I was.
"You are drawing attention to us."
I sat down and did a quick scan. It was early evening, no one really around, but still...
"The blood sample your man obtained for us was tested. It contained traces of T-4217 in it."
"Means nothing to me."
"New class of sedative-hypnotic. Effective dose is measured in the mili-litre amounts. American-developed. It is only supposed to exist in the laboratory. Draw your own conclusions."
"I hear what you're saying, but..."
"We also ran the name and description provided." He handed me a photo of a man in a Soviet military uniform before continuing. "Gregoriy L. Mysavitch, alias Greg among others, known KGB agent worldwide under numerous aliases and guises. Last heard from in 1999. Officially still on the KBG payrolls, but is suspected of operating out of Western Europe and parts of Central and South America as a freelance agent."
"Shit!" I stood up from the bench and started pacing, hoping to calm myself.
"SHIT!" I swore to no one in particular.
"Your rage will do you no good."
"Cut the patronizing crap, already! You obviously want me to get them out of here discreetly. Okay, so give me something in return."
"Like?"
"I don't know. Hope, for starters? I'm dead the minute those two get out of here. I'm too much trouble for and too tempting a target for Almeracian to just ignore!"
"You think he'd go that far?"
"Look, I did what you asked me to do, retrieve those two before they were picked up by the local law enforcement..."
"...And exceeded the bounds and exposed yourself. That is your problem. We can do nothing on our end."
I might as well have been talking to a brick wall the whole time. "I may be overstating my worth here or what I'm entitled to, but there must be something that can be done on your end to mimimize my exposure when this goes off while not exposing your end, isn't there?"
"No, there is not." My contact stood up to leave. "One hour, at the airport. How they arrive is up to you, so long as it is discreet. We'll handle the rest."
"Our organization wishes to pass on our gratitude for all you have done, Ambassador. For what it is worth, I do not wish to see you wasted uselessly either. Your honesty has been... refreshing." With that, he had disappeared into the night, and I was left alone.
I pulled out my cellphone and dialed a number.
"Prime Minister's Residence."
"Tell him it's me. I have to speak to him, immediately."
"One moment, please."
* * *
"How you... feel about me?" Her heart began beating faster.
He put down his spoon before continuing. "I have been thinking more about what Major Kalinin wrote on that folder. I... I think I understand now."
"Understand...?"
"Everything. Why he chose me to go to Jindai High as a student. Why he did not punish me for disobeying his orders in Khanka. Why he respects and accepts you and your presence around me. Why, in this crisis, he sent me to Tokyo on vacation to you. Why he left me with the folder about the Whispered. And, most recently on our trip..."
"And..."
* * *
"Ah... how is my favored Consul General doing?"
"Jean! It's good to hear your voice." And what sounds like a party going on over there. Retirement couldn't've come sooner for you! "I just wanted to say it's done."
"Good. Thank you for keeping me posted on the matter."
"You'll endorse my recommendation about the matter in the Commons?"
"Of course. Have I ever lied to you or let you down before?"
More times than I can count, Asshole! "Make sure it does go through, Jean. I don't need to stress again what I think about it."
"I will do what I can. Is there anything else?"
"I want a new posting after this. It's going to get hot down here."
"Oh? I thought you were happy with that position there? It's what you kept telling me all along, no?"
"Recall me or reassign me, I don't care which." And you and whoever succeeds you can kiss their ass goodbye tomorrow! Hincks is coming in! I wanted to say. But I couldn't. Jean Chretien just happened to be my boss, and the man who put me in this crazy-ass position. "Enjoy your party, Mr Prime Minister. I'm sorry to have pulled you away from it so suddenly. Good night."
I walked into the Consulate and made straight for Security. Mr Sagara and Miss Chidori were still in the dining room, thank god. "Chief, how much have we got of those two on camera?"
"What, you thinking of selling it to some peep show, Boss?" he chuckled.
"I wish. Blank it all."
"What?"
"You heard me, Chief. Everything since they arrived, blank it!"
"You're talking about breaking the in-house security rules, along with..."
"Make up any excuse you want. Spontaneous electrical discharge, Hell, the building's old enough! My authority. And arrange for a car in twenty minutes."
"Uhh... sure, Boss."
"Thanks, Chief. I really appreciate what you and your guys have done for me here. Take care of yourself, huh?"
"Uhh..."
* * *
"I... I see, Sousuke..." My beautiful dream! Gone!
"Kaname, I..." He fell silent again. Her emotions were torn between two states, neither of them particularly pleasant right now. But, she thought, he'd been more honest and open with her than he'd ever been before. More often than not, he'd hide his true feelings behind that stone-silent face of his, or use his 'it's above your clearance' excuse to back out of things. He's opening up to me more and more, I have to give him that. You may be more human than you ever let on, Sousuke she thought. But still, he had to pay the price.
"Sousuke, close your eyes. I have something for you."
"Kaname..."
"Close your eyes" she whispered softly. He did.
She stepped closer to him, took a deep breath...
...and was rewarded with a satisfying Thump! as Sousuke reeled back from her sharp right hook into the opposite wall. "Ahh! I feel MUCH better!" massaging her aching knuckles. Damn, that hurt!
"Chi... Chidori... that hurt. Why...?" He gingerly rubbed his jaw and cheek.
"Just because." she started giggling. "Now we're even."
"Even?"
"Yes, even. As in accounts balanced! As in starting with a clean slate! We're even now! Everything's back to normal! I'm not mad at you for anything!"
"Normal? What do you mean? I do not understand."
"That's for me to know and you to find out, Sergeant." She started laughing even harder, not out of malice, but sheer delight and carefree joy. Thank you for telling me the truth, Sousuke. But like she'd let him hear her say that. At least not yet. Serves him right! He's going to have to earn it!
Sousuke just sat there, rubbing his aching cheek and jaw, puzzling out Kaname's last statement. The soldier in him believed that should be that, amends were made and Kaname was her usual happy self. Yet another part of him, one he'd never known existed before held back; that the puzzle was not complete yet, and to not complete it would only earn Kaname's ire again. This would require more time to puzzle out. He had to buy some time. Diversion, diversion.
"Kaname... will you..."
"Will I...?"
"Will you... dance with me?"
"Dance... with... you?"
"I recall... that I still owe you a real date. I apologize, I should have been the one to ask you to dinner, but you asked first. So... will you dance with me?"
"Sou... Sousuke..." His hand extended towards her. "I... uh..."
"Kaname..."
"...I don't know how to dance..."
"I will teach you." His voice was soft, gentle. Like from a dream. She accepted his outstretched hand on instinct. He pulled her gently towards him into his open arms. His left hand took her right hand, raising it above their heads. His right hand gently rested on her waist.
"What will we do for music?"
"We do not need any music, Kaname." He drew her closer to him, their bodies touching. Her breathing came faster and faster. Everything was so right, yet something would go wrong. It had always happened that way. Yet she continued to hope nothing would go wrong. That'd be a first...
A soft cough interrupted. "Excuse me for interrupting such a lovely scene..."
"Francis?!"
"Mr Chow."
"Transportation for you two to New York has been arranged, courtesy of Mithril. The Consulate car is waiting downstairs for you two."
"We're leaving already?"
"No, not quite. You both have time for," he checked his watch, "one more dance together, and..."
"And?"
He walked over to a corner of the room to fiddle with something. Soft music suddenly started playing. "As I said, I apologize for the interruption. I'll be back in, oh say... ten minutes." With that, their host disappeared.
"Ten minutes, Sergeant. Start teaching me!"
For the first time in a long time, she saw a smile cross Sousuke's face.
* * *
Los Angeles is pretty beautiful she thought, too bad I could only stay for so long. Maybe when this is all over, I can come back. Would Sousuke be by her side, she wondered?
She resisted the urge to look over at him again, as she knew which mode he was in now. "Sousuke," she had firmly told him, "your personal feelings aside, Francis is here to help us! I believe him, so be done with your sulking, will you?!"
"Trust is earned, Kaname, not given. The battlefield is littered with the bodies of those foolish enough to believe otherwise."
"Sousuke! He's going to get us to New York, which is where we're supposed to go, anyways! Unless you have a way of getting us there, WITHOUT drawing attention to us, I say we trust him and let him help us!"
At least he couldn't argue with that logic... for now. But he was still adamant that if it even remotely looked like the Ambassador was leading them into a double-cross, he would have no compunction about ensuring her safety in any means he saw fit, International Law be damned.
Couldn't he have had the tack to say that in private, rather than to his face?! Francis had taken it well enough, but still...
"We're arriving." their host said. "Well, this is where we part ways..."
"I am still watching you, Mr Chow."
"Mr Sagara, you are very blunt, I'll give you that. If you ever need employment when you leave Mithril, give me a call. I could use you on my negotiating staff."
Is that a compliment or an insult? she wondered.
"A compliment. In the diplomatic and political professions, I see too many people more intent on candy-coating the issues than speaking frankly. It's been a pleasure, Miss Chidori." He took her hand in what seemed to be a handshake, but instead he lifted it to his lips and gently kissed it. She was blushing fiercely. Oh no, Sousuke DON'T...! she pleaded.
"Mr Sagara, take care of her. I know you don't trust me, but understand, I am on your side and always will be. Remember that. Good luck to you both."
A figure emerged from the shadows towards them. "Sergeant Sagara Sousuke and Miss Chidori Kaname?"
"Yes?"
"Your flight awaits you in the hangar. We don't have much time."
"Wait... that's... that's it? What about..."
"No time, Miss Chidori. We must leave now." the figure said.
"But..." She looked back at Francis' receeding form. So much she wanted to tell him. At least a thank you for everything! she thought.
"Chidori, we must go now."
Bright floodlights suddenly lit up the darkened area. "This is the LAPD SWAT Team! Hands up!" an amplified voice commanded.
"MOVE!"
"Chidori! Run!"
She reacted only by instinct, her legs carrying her to the open hatch of a plane sitting in the hangar. Sousuke... where's Sousuke? She tried catching her breath. Was she doing something illegal here? A darker thought, had they been betrayed?
"Take a seat. We're out of here!"
"But..." Sousuke climbed up the stairs and took a seat next to her. "Sousuke..."
"Where is the Consul?"
"He's on his own."
"He is one of us, is he not?"
"He's on his own. Buckle up, this is going to be a white-knuckle one!"
Sousuke looked out, increasingly agitated. His personal feelings aside, if what Francis was saying was true, surely Mithril would do something to get him out of this situation... wouldn't they?
"There! There! I see him!"
"Where?!"
"What's that crazy bastard up to?"
Behind the windows, they saw what looked like the Consul waling towards the SWAT Team, hands raised in surrender. A bright flash from the direction of the SWAT Team, and he collapsed onto the ground. In a flash, Sousuke knew what had happened.
"Get us out of here!" he ordered.
"Sit down!"
"Get us out of here, or we are next... the girl...!"
"Punch it, Pete!"
* * *
He clicked off the set. Things had almost gone to plan, he had to admit, but not quite. At least Hincks had done his part and made his announcement. Now it was making sure it was not overshadowed by the death of the Consul."Our top story this morning is the shooting death of the Canadian Consul General by airport security forces at the Los Angeles International Airport. Inside sources say that an anonymous tip was passed that a possible terrorist operation was in progress, but didn't specify how it tied in with the Consul himself."
"In a prepared statement, Senator Hincks, one of the Consul's most outspoken critics, expressed regret at the passing of such a person, adding that while he didn't not believe the Consul was capable of aiding and abetting terrorist forces, it showed that there is no subsititute for increased vigilence especially in these troubled times. The Senator closed by announcing his candidancy for President. In other news..."
One more obstacle out of the way he thought to himself.
* * *
