Admiral Hikaru Sulu, Supreme Commander of all Kusari Naval forces, sat in the small back room of the Perfect Blossom. Several of his command staff sat with him, drinking tea. These informal briefings were often held away from the noise and confusion of the High Command's New Tokyo compound.
Sulu's attention was drawn from the datapad he was viewing by the unexpected presence of a small, middle-aged man who walked through the beaded curtains of the small alcove. The man was Kusaran, but was tastefully dressed in a well-tailored "western" suit, complete with vest. Sulu's perceptive gaze was drawn immediately to a small tie-pin which held the man's dark blue cravat in place. it was fashioned in the shape of a triangle, with a blood-red ruby gleaming near the apex. The man's demeanor was intense and somber, as he bowed slightly to the Admiral.
"Sulu Taichou. If you will permit me. I am Ashi Tebayai, Advisor to our Beloved Emperor, and Deputy Minister of Defense for Kusari." The man then looked pointedly at the staff members seated with the Admiral, and gave a slight jerk of his head towards the doorway.
Taking the man's clue, Admiral Sulu bowed his head and spoke to his staff. "Gentlemen, if you will excuse us for a moment." The Officers seemed taken aback, but immediately rose, bowed, and left the alcove. Sulu nodded to the empty seat across from him, and the man sat down without hesitation.
"I will be brief, Taichou." said the Minister as he removed a small formal scroll from the inside pocket of his jacket and handed it across to Sulu. The Admiral noticed the red wax seal bearing the Emperor's sigil affixed on the scroll before he unrolled it and studied the contents.
Momentarily, Sulu looked up and stared at Tebayai before speaking. "This orders me to place a 'Hatchet' at your disposal, along with a fighter escort. Might I know why a Ministry Official needs a Kusari destroyer, Tebayai-san?"
The Minister stared back at Sulu, and waved his hand slightly, as if the matter were of minimal importance. "My mission is confidential, Taichou, but I see no reason that I cannot divulge my destination. I will be attending a small conference in Sigma 19. Your fighters will escort me there, and the Destroyer will remain on station at the Hawaii with me until my business is concluded. That is all you need to know."
A skeptical frown crossed the face of Hikaru Sulu; but he had not reached his position of command by ignoring signed orders from the Emperor of Kusari himself. "Very well, Minister Tebayai. A newly commissioned Hatchet is currently undergoing its shakedown cruise in Hiroshima. You may transfer your flag to it by week's end. Will that be soon enough for your needs, sir?"
The official poured a cup of tea, and raised it towards the Admiral. "That will be sufficient, Sulu-san. I must insist that no word of this be made to your Staff, or even to other Ministries. My mission is crucial, and must not risk compromise in any way. Tebayai's eyes carried a feral, almost threatening glint as he downed the last of his tea, rose, bowed again, and left the alcove.
Sulu required several moments to overcome a feeling of dread and loathing for this mysterious yet apparently powerful stranger. Composed again, he rose and motioned from the alcove's door for his Staff Officers to rejoin him.
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