The young woman shouted at Zetsumai Keisotsu's brother, who made a few gestures indicating he was busy.
"Very well. I want it all logged down and uploaded to the Brindisi's databanks. We'll go over it again later today.", he said. Ending the call, the man turned to face Kureshiwa, as if he knew what she was going to say. Misoraki looked at Zet, who in turn nodded gently, indicating she approved.
She then turned her gaze back to Mr. Keisotsu. "Is the ship ready to depart, Kaiten-sama?", Misoraki said.
-"Indeed, miss. I will instruct the landing crew to make space for your Blossom. It will be a few jumps before we reach Alpha. That is.. what you want to do, correct?"
-"Hai! Arigato, Kaiten-sama!", she replied.
Zetsumai walked over to the video display, and informed them of the Hoshinokatana's most probable location. The gravitational fields present in the system would have slightly altered the ship's position. Kaiten then added that two Falcatas would assist the Brindisi in towing the ship safely across each jump in the worst scenario. However, there would be a skeleton crew available to perform repairs to the most vital systems along the way. It seemed like an easy mission.
"Oneesan...", the young lady said as she looked at the video display.
"Do you think you will be safe here? I do not trust these men at all. If you want-"
-"..no need", Zetsumai interrupted.
Understanding her gesture, Misoraki Kureshiwa grabbed her flight jacket and secured her sidearm.
"I am ready to depart, then."
-"Good. Let's get to work.", Kaiten said as he opened the door. He raised his palm at Zetsumai as he let Misoraki first through the exit.
"Take care of her..", Zetsumai whispered.
-"Take care of yourself.."
"It is a cold universe until you know God as your Father, and then it becomes a home. Even the next life simply becomes the Father's house, home."
—David Pawson
After Chiba had left, the Taishogun looked to His Shoguns.
"This is a most distressing end to Shogun Akuji, lost in space. A Day of Mourning shall be called in his honour!"
Shogun Gok-Li agreed to make the arrangements, whilst Shogun Miyamoto attended a meeting.
The Taishogun turned to other matters.
"What of our latest petitioners?"
Sum spoke "They are still on board Kyoto my Lord".
The Taishogun called for tea, then with a wave, the countdown across Kyoto ended early. This indicated to all that the Court was open for petitioners again.
The announcement of the Day of Mourning would herald the start for members of the Court to vie for Akuji's position as Shogun.
Not that the Court needed any motivation to take up the challenge...
' Wrote:She frowns slightly upon hearing the Shogun Akuji is now missing in action, still, there was one more who may have time to listen to her, so she bows slightly to the Dragon Guard who provided her with the information. "Thank you for the information, this one shall see Shogun Myamoto as soon as possible before doing what she can to find your mission Shogun."
She turns gracefully in place and walks away with a slight sway that is in some ways enticing and in others a bit teasing. She pauses along the way at an info terminal to ask directions to Shogun Myamoto's office. Once she has that information loaded into a small data pad, she turns and begins making her way through Kyoto to the Shogun's office.
Once she finds the doors, and notes they are guarded by a pair of Blood Dragons, she steps up fully bfore them, "This one is requesting an audience with Shogun Myamoto."
Aki is brought into Shogun Miyamoto's chambers. Tea and other refreshments are made available. Shogun Miyamoto bows and introduces himself. After some small talk, the Shogun makes himself available to hear her.
Zetsumai didn't turn from the video Araki had delivered, which she had playing on the room's video display. "Exactly what it means."
Araki was gesturing wildly. "I was paid to work on the AI memory module! Job done, contract over!"
Zetsumai calmly looked at her, her expression the same as if dealing with a child throwing a tantrum. "You like your assignment as a technician, don't you?"
"Yes..."
Zet's expression hardened. "Then you'll do as you're told, or I'll strip you from your station and have you put into the fighter corps."
Araki knew it was no idle threat... Zetsumai was notorious for dealing with disobedient subordinates harshly. She bowed her head in submission. "Hai Touji" she replied sullenly.
Zetsumai rose from the sofa and switched off the display, once again hiding her feelings and thoughts behind an expressionless facade. Her voice was surprisingly even. "In a few days, you will head to Valetta Shipyards. Once there, you will be under the command of Seijin Kureshiwa. You will no longer be working on the Matsuda. You will be given a new assignment.
Zetsumai crossed the room and started scribbling on a small notepad. "It will only be temporary. Your new lab will be coming back to Kusari with you."
This had Araki thoroughly puzzled. "Where will I be stationed once having returned?"
"Wherever your lab goes."
Uhh, what? "And my team?"
Zetsumai ripped the page she was writing on from the notepad and handed it to her. "They will be assigned a new supervisor. You will be working with the AI from now on."
Araki was shocked. "W-With the AI?"
Zet nodded. "Yes. Your experiments and duties will be made known to you later. The codes I just gave you will allow you to access the lab's computer system's administrative accounts. This account will not be accessible by the AI, and will be where you will keep all data related to the experiments you do, as well as any reports you write. The second code you see is an override command that will deactivate the AI in the case of an emergency." She looked Araki straight in the eye. "This AI is not of our construction. We cannot be sure of its loyalty. We must have methods of demanding its obedience. It will be under your charge."
Araki was dumbfounded. The opportunity to work on the AI was astonishing enough, but to be put in charge of the AI's post-reactivation projects was amazing. It wasn't a position Zetsumai would give to just anyone. Realizing the offer was a sign of trust in her skill and dedication, she bowed low. "Arigato Touji."
*** *** ***
Zetsumai nodded. This girl better live up to my expectations. Putting Araki in charge was a risk. There were other technicians and scientists who's loyalty was much less questionable, but their raw skill wasn't what Araki's was.
The intercom mounted on the wall beeped. "Ms. Keisotsu? You have a call. Shall we put it through?"
"Yes."
The intercom was silent for a moment.
*** *** ***
"We've located the ship. I've got my men attaching tow cables now. If everything goes as planned, we should be pulling it out of here within a few hours."
"Any sign of the Consortium or the Elder's drones so far?"
Kaiten began to shake his head, then remembered the comm unit she was using didn't display video. "No, none so far. The Consortium may be trying to avoid us after your attack on them the other night. A bomber and fighter crippling their new destroyer.. Imagine what a fully-armed warship with escorts can do. As far as I can tell, they don't know the location of the Hoshinokatana, so we won't need to worry about them until we pull it out of here."
"Just hurry, I want that ship out of Kusari as soon as possible. The Taishogun has just reopened the court for diplomatic discussions, so I may be unreachable for awhile. Also, I'll be sending someone to Valetta in a few days to work on the AI. Make sure none of the Maltan engineers touch it, I don't want them doing anything with that computer system that we don't know about."
The comm unit beeped, marking the transmission's termination.
Aki is brought into Shogun Miyamoto's chambers. Tea and other refreshments are made available. Shogun Miyamoto bows and introduces himself. After some small talk, the Shogun makes himself available to hear her.
She entered the Shogun's chambers quietly when she was brought to them then bows deeply as befitting a member of his rank. Despite the fact that many other of the Sisters may not or would not even do so, she believed that common respect and some traditions still have a place. She smiled slightly when she knelt to take tea and some of the refreshments with the Shogun for several minutes, passing the time in idle conversation on his taste in art and music, even a little about daily life on Kyoto and Ainu.
Finally when the proper ammount of time has passed she sets aside the small tea cup and adressed the Shogun directly on her reason to see him, This one has for the past few years has been a member of the Golden Chrysanthemum, but what few knew about this one is she has certain skills and training that sets her apart from most of her Sisters. The Elders while gracious and have accorded this one with trust, have only seen fit to give her one mission in the past. In short Honorable Shogun, this one feels they do not value her or the fact they even made this one one of only two of their Spies. This one is offering her services directly to the Dragons in hopes that her worth is truely recognised and put to the use it was ment to be."
She slips a hand under the fold of her kimono and withdraws slowly a slender packet, to which she places on the floor between them and pushed it across towards the Shogun. Sitting back she looks down at the packet then back to Shogun Miyamoto before speaking again, "These are only a few of the scans and images of various ships one was able to obtain. A few are of ships of the Liberty Navy, though of little value perhapes, they are proof this one is able to aquire certain things. Others include gun cam data of the few times one was forced into combat with various forces. Also included is the data transcript of the time this one was able to convice a Kusari Naval Captain to 'donate' to the Sisterhood. It is also important to note, one has been able to aquire a gun boat from the Zoners. With modification and certain specialised work by others such as the lane hackers for computer upgrades and up to date hacking programs, one will be able to accomplish more than before."
She takes a deep breath and waits, giving the Shogun time to consider all she has said, the offer she is making to the Dragons as well as time he may need to consider any questions he will want to ask her.
Back in Miyamoto's chambers, the Shogun considers Aki's offer. With a smile, he sips his tea.
"So, a GC spy wishes to pledge her sword to the Taishogun? This is most auspicious."
Finishing his tea, he dabs at the corner of his mouth with a napkin.
"Of course, if the Elders felt you were holding information that is injurious to the Sisterhood, you would be a marked woman. Not only that, you wold have to work to earn the respect of many Dragons. Being the suspicious minds that we are, one might assume you are still, in fact, a double agent for the Elders?"
Miyamoto put up his hand before the inevitable protest could be made.
"Do not trouble yourself Aki-san. In the Court of the Taishogun, all outsiders are considered to be spies for someone - and all Dragons are considered to be potential rivals for the Taishogun's favour. You are merely in esteemed company!"
Miyamoto laughed at his own little quip, then stood and bowed.
"Should you wish to serve the Taishogun, you need merely go to Him, and pledge your life and honour to His service. I believe then the Shoguns shall determine the reaction of the Elders, and whether your pledge can be accepted. Yes, it is a risk to present yourself in such a public manner - but if you are to be a Dragon, you must be able to present yourself and hold your honour against the scrutiny of all who look upon you. You must not sway as the Willow, but be solid as the Oak."
Shogun Sum-Gok-Li was walking back from the docking bay. He had just returned from a classified mission.
He was stopped by Kintaki.
"What is it? I have no time for idleness - if it is important you shall accompany me to my chambers to discuss whatever this is about!"
Taken aback by Sum's abrupt manner, Kintaki falls in with Shogun Gok-Li. Kintaki looked at the letter in his hand. He was weighing up whether to follow the Shogun, or slip away and leave the matter for another time...
Hirosho Horatami opened his eyes and stood on the mat he was meditating on. For many days he has been idle in his quarters meditating on many problems he was facing. But now, with all his meditating complete, he has made his choice. The Daimyo opened his door to the halls and was immediately greeted by all his companions that longed for him over the past week. One of them was Lu Bu, his expert student and friend. They all smiled and talked while walking down the halls. Every so often Hirosho would stop at a certain door and tell the group of friends to wait outside while he talked in private with the residents of the room. After an hour or so part of the group left and only Hirosho Horatami, Lu Bu, and several other Daimyos sat down at a Table in a corner of the hallway and drank tea together, catching up on what he has been missing.
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