Tombstone Estate

[Doc Holliday]

Location:Planet Gran Canaria
Omega 49 System

Having spent a day running some trade, renderring medical on Freeport 11 and Lividia Shipyard, John finally returned home, anticipating a quiet evening with his fiance. Entering through the front door of his Estate, he found her not to be in the house. "Odd," he said softly to himself, looking around. Then he went to the back door which overlooked the acreage and many of the gardens that Midori herself had planted. Walking out, he continued scanning until he found her, kneeling in prayer before a Buddha statue in the special circular garden that she had made just for her meditation.

The Circular Garden itself had many varieties and colors and was well kept. Before the statue was a rug in which she would sit cross-legged for her meditation. Today, she was dressed in a black and white kimono and her usual chrysanthemum in her hair. Out of respect, Doc kept his distance. He watched for awhile and he slowly began a walk to where she was. Still, she was in prayer when he got to where she was and she paid no mind to him as she was in deep concentration. Standing a few feet behind her, he saw a picture of a young Kusari Naval officer propped before the statue. He then backed off out of respect but had a look of puzzlement about the picture. Finally, finished her meditation, Midori stood and turned to him, giving him a welcome home hug and kiss.

"I didn't want to disturb you so I stayed back," he told her.
"You did not," she answered. She also saw the look of puzzlement about John's face.
"Is something wrong?" she asked with a look of worry.
"I was curious as to who is the picture of?" he inquired.

She then sighed and hung her head, putting her hands together before her. John, now more concerned, took his right hand and placing a finger under her chin, lifted her head up so that he could look into her eyes which were welling up.
"Midori, Dahlin', what is wrong?" he quietly demanded.
"The picture," she slowly muttered, "it is of my late brother, Kentaro. He was killed two years ago in the war with Bretonia. Today is that anniversary." She then went silent and began to cry. Doc could do nothing more than hold her tight and console her. He only said softly, "I'm so sorry. I didn't know."

When she finally composed herself, they sat on a small bench in the garden where she finally talked about Kentaro. She described him as a proud man who was very bright but also overly daring.
"He was a fighter pilot," she explained, "fighting the Tau campaign is all we knew. He and a his wingman took on a Bretonian fighter wing alone. They killed four fighters before they were destroyed. His remains were never found."

John was silent, unsure of what to think or say. He just sat with an arm around her, trying to be as re-assuring as possible. "You would have liked him, John, and I know he would have liked you," she said.
"I know," he softly nodded, "I know we would have. I am curious though, this happened and you have never once hinted at any hatred of Bretonia, rather, wanting to befriend it."

"My father teach us as children," she began, "that no matter how badly someone wrongs you, hatred is bad, that it take a better person to overcome it. I never know what he meant until we learned of Kentaro's death. It was hard on us all but I remembered what father teach us. I don't hate Bretonia. What I hate is that they fight over turf. I hope one day to be able to sit at a table where Bretonian and Kusari diplomats make peace."

John nodded his approval, "that is sound advice. I wish my father taught me that. He taught me about hatred of the Yankees during the American Civil War. As it turned out, my best friend was one as were his brothers."
"Wyatt?" she asked.
"Yes, Wyatt," he answered, "And his brothers."

They then stood up and faced one another. He then promised, "One day, Dahlin', you will be there as the Ambassador's wife. Book it!"
"Of course, I am good friends with Grady," she said with a smile.
"Yes, Grady is a good man. I'm glad you two have found common ground," John responded smiling.

Together, arm in arm, they retired to the Estate House for the evening. The picture of Kentaro Sato was left before the statue, the smiling officer watching over his sister's gardens.

*more to come*

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[MFE]Med Force One | Tales of Recovery|Med Force Enterprises