Chapter 38: The World Turned Upside Down
Kiyone4ever
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Chapter 38: The World Turned Upside Down
Alnus Town
Delilah could remember few mornings as pleasant as this one. The air was light with a warm breeze blowing. Yesterday's shift at work had been relatively free of hassles. Delilah thanked the gods that Kaine had selected her for this assignment. Officially, Countess Formar was merely returning the goodwill that the Pacific Allies had shown in protecting Italica by sending some of her skilled staff to assist them in running Alnus Town. In that alone, Delilah was delighted to see all the wonders the off-worlders had brought. As nice as Italica was for her and Grine to have found sanctuary in after their flight from the long plains of their home, Alnus was a town of light and wonder! The streets were wide and clean, well lit. The food was better by far than anything she had before and the people were generally upbeat and hopeful, intent on building new lives in a place of opportunity.
Unofficially, Kaine still had concerns and questions about the 'Men in Green' There had been a time when the Empire had promised to be 'Good neighbors' to her home city of Rosa. That had ended thirty years ago when the Empire simply decided to lay siege and take over. Kaine generally believed that the Pacific allies were different but there was still so much about them that remained to be understood! So, Kaine had embedded agents among the workers sent to Alnus. These agents would quietly observe and report what they could because, for better or for worse, it was clear that the newcomers would decide the future of Italica and Formar County, and the family to which Kaine had sworn loyal service to so many years ago.
Fortunately, Delilah was able to stress in her reports that the Pacific allies seemed to have no need, desire, or intention to move on Italica or the rest of the Formar lands. That, indeed, Princess Pina's move to refer to County Formar as a Protectorate State in her discussions with the Allies had positioned Italica well in the future development of Falmart. Situated ideally on two of the most vital roads in the Empire, Delilah envisioned Italica eventually eclipsing Sadera in its importance.
Absolutely none of that prepared her for the letter she found left on her bed. Delilah had heard that a Warrior Bunny slave had been liberated along with a Japanese girl during Lieutenant Itami's mission to Sadera. The confirmation that this was, indeed, Tyuule gave Delilah pause. She had sworn vengeance upon the 'Traitor Queen', The Oath Breaker', for betraying them all to Zorzal. But acting for personal vengeance when Tyuule was now in the custody of the Pacific Allies was not to be permitted. Delilah would not break the oaths that she had sworn. The oaths that said that her duty to House Formar came before her own desires. So Tyuule was safely out of reach of Delilah's vengeance. Somehow, it wasn't herself that she thought of when she thought about Tyuule, it was Parna and how the flight after their Queen's betrayal had broken her battle sister and companion. How desperation and hopelessness brought by Tyuule's betrayal had led to an act of madness, where Parna, broken inside, severed her ear and numbly walked into Akusho. Delilah still kept Parna's severed ear as a reminder of the debt that Tyuule owed. She wondered what had become of the serious-minded but shy Parna and prayed to the old gods that they kept her in their embrace. She had no clue how her prayers were to be soon answered.
Delilah read the letter a second time and then a third time to be sure she was reading it correctly. As she once again checked the seal of Countess Formar, Delilah felt a thousand different emotions at once. She would have her vengeance, after all, it seemed. The chances she would escape were very small, she reasoned and even if she did, her life at Alnus was over But it was not Tyuule that gave her pause. Delilah was also instructed to kill the Japanese girl that had been freed with her. Delilah could not imagine what Noriko Mochizuki could possibly have done to warrant an order for termination. Why Countess Myui or Kaine would deem it either necessary or prudent to kill the girl right under the nose of her own people was not explained. But Delilah had not sworn to obey orders only if she understood the reason for them. Her loyalty was not conditional. She had her instructions. Today she prepared to die. Today she prepared to kill.
And after today, the world would never be the same...
At the same start of this same day, First Lieutenant Yanagida greeted the day with worry and anxiety. He also was beginning to notice his hair thinning and a few gray hairs lurking among the remainder. If he was being honest, Itami and Taylor were responsible for only forty percent of his problems. The normal job of being a General's aide was stressful enough. Add in the fact that General Hazama was now the highest-profile Japanese flag officer in over seventy years and the multinational nature of the force he led and the fact that the civilian press was being allowed into the Janus Region for the first time, it was the stuff of ulcers. And that didn't account for a cult of Dragon worshippers, made worse by the fact the dragon being worshipped was an American soldier, The worshippers of the local gods wanting to build new temples, including the worshippers of the resident 'fertility goddess', A small sect of local 'Christians', and weren't the representatives of the missionary groups and the Catholic Church going to want to look into that! A psychotic Unicorn that nobody wanted to shoot but they couldn't drive it away and nor could they contain it. Right now the New Zealanders were trying their hand with that and good luck to them! A bunch of foul-mouthed faeries with crude manners hanging around the American Marines, And no one could tell which were worse. They seemed to be rubbing off on each other. Kami! There is something wrong with that statement! The German Pioneers! The Orcish Delicatessen! The special requests of the Science Team! Seriously! The largest refrigerated trucks in Japan to haul organ and tissue samples from the giant dragon! And THEN Itami and Taylor. What in the name of the Kami did Yanagida ever do to have to deal with them and the chaos they created? How did those two continually luck into success? How did they get women who were obviously better than them? The universe was definitely a cruel place, Yanagida thought. He should have also remembered that the universe is always listening and has a perverted sense of humor. For today, he would get his moment. But first, he had a briefing with the press pool.
Fortunately, Kobayashi had proven willing to talk to her reporter sister. The younger Kobayashi taking advantage of the opportunity to have sole access to Lieutenant Itami's party, due to leave Alnus that morning.
As for the rest of the press pool, they would all receive a standard press packet, guides, and a thorough safety briefing. A slight mix-up yesterday occurred when the credentials for Fox News were accidentally issued to a local Vulpine journalist. Vixa and her team of scribes were responsible for a popular Alnus daily called 'The Fox Report'. It seemed rather unfair to strip the only represented local reporters of their credentials over a simple 'misunderstanding'. The American Fox News' reporters would finally get their own credentials but several competing news agencies had already latched onto the story, seeking interviews with both Vixa and her embarrassed American competitors over the mix-up. Yanagida hoped today's headaches would resolve themselves so easily...
***
At Third Recon's assembly area, Nanami Kuribayashi was waved over by her sister, who looked at her approvingly. Nanami was dressed in a spare set of her sister's fatigues, also wearing certified 'stab' armor at her sister's insistence. Shino had noted that a number of supposedly 'experienced' reporters had arrived in theater with impressive enough bullet resistant body armor but failing to understand that bullet proof was not necessarily stab proof. Nanami had brought a set as well but had listened quite carefully when Shino emphasized the difference and the need. So Nanami immediately requested the equipment her sister had advised her to carry.
"Someone's the early bird!" Shino said proudly. "All set?"
"There's a term for reporters who aren't ready to go, it's 'unemployed'," Nanami replied. "So are we all set to leave or do you have time to introduce me to everyone?"
"Lieutenant Itami and Mari Kurokawa, our medic should be here soon with King Duran. Then we return the King home so he can tell his people they're on our side now."
Nanami considered this. The first interview with a national leader from this side of the Gate would be a feather in her cap if she could get it. But she needed to feel the situation out first. Getting a good interview was like stalking big game: You didn't get the Lion by rushing headlong at it. Of course, with Rory, the Apostle who electrified the Diet and lit up the internet, Tuka, the Elven girl who had captured the hearts of millions with her shy charm and sincerity. And Lelei, the mage whose very existence had sent ripples through the scientific community, there looked to be plenty of opportunities on this trip. Heck! She suspected she'd have enough material for her own book when all was said and done. All things considered, while Nanami had worked hard for her career, perhaps there was something to be said for nepotism? Actually, not so much 'nepotism' but taking advantage of one's opportunities. Surely a trait demanded of every good reporter.
Shino proceeded to introduce her sister to the rest of the squad and their other fellow travelers. She paused a moment and nudged Nanami when they came to Furata, who was busily trying to get three very clingy girls to calm down.
"Felicity… Yeo…Sune… I'll be back for you! I promise!" These three and the Thraken girl Satha had been some of the most shaken after the Quake. In the end, ten of the girls from the Venus had to be sent to Alnus in the aftermath. In this event, however, the salient point was that these three girls were very reluctant to let their 'savior' go.
Shino nudged her sister and gestured to her camera.
Kurata's eyes went wide as he heard a distinctive *click*. Turning he saw Shino and someone who looked disturbingly like her, holding a camera.
"Kurata! Do you have a cheating heart? Shall we send this picture to Persia and Katrine?"
"No! I mean! I'm not cheating! I swear!" His voice dropped very quiet. "I just… I've told Felicity, Yeo, and Sune about Persia and Katrine but I haven't had a chance to tell Persia and Katrine about…" He gestured. "Them…" He looked at Shino pleadingly. "At first… Yeah. It was pretty good to my ego. I mean, if the lieutenants can manage it, why not a guy like me? But Now… Persia and Katrine? My back is full of scratches but they mean the world to me And Yeo and Felicity and Sune? I can't walk away from them. So… when we get back, I'll tell Persia and Katrine and I hope they'll understand. Because when we get back, I want to propose to them. I swear. No more looking around."
"Are you sure? What if we find a sorceress who wants to show you her magic?" Shino asked.
"Then I'll have to say no. I finally realize I'm a pretty lucky guy. And I don't want to lose all I've got."
"We'll hold you to your word, Kurata-Kun," Rory spoke up with a wicked grin. Shino nodded agreement.
"As long as you tell them as soon as you can," Shino agreed. "Otherwise…" Shino looked at her sister's camera.
"Now you know why I don't brag about this sort of thing," Lieutenant Itami commented as he walked up with Kurokawa, who was pushing King Duran's wheelchair. He glanced uncomfortably as Yao, Tuka, Lelei, and Rory smiled back at him.
"What about Taylor? Last I checked, he seemed happy?" Kurata pointed out.
"He's a masochist," Itami replied dryly. He then looked around at his people. "Alright then! We've got a long drive ahead! Let's mount up and everyone look sharp! Let's not have any surprises this time!"
"Hai!"
***
Italica
"I wish you were coming with me," Taylor admitted as he embraced Panache one last time before mounting his horse. It would be weeks of riding. First, returning Lady Agrippina to her manor as she had finally decided that she had enough information and the appropriate opportunity to strike upon the feckless slime whom she had once called 'husband'. And then Taylor would be making an inspection of a number of estates as requested by Lady Octavia and her Ladies in waiting. This would not only include the estate of Legate Germanicus, but the estate that he, himself, was expected to inherit as heir to House Octavus. This included the port of Antica. While not considered of significant military value to Janus Command, the US Navy was at least interested in learning about the city and Falmart's waterways. This was natural for a service which, although was responsible for supporting the Marine contingent, had been largely shut out of the picture. The navy recognized that any operations it might have the chance to partake in would likely be 'brown water' operations. To that end, reports on local shipbuilding capability and the extent of navigable rivers was sought. As the supply pipeline into the Janus theater was tight enough already, there was no way to ship in modern boats and equipment shipped in needed to be kept to a minimum.
"So do I," Panache replied. "Heavens know that Aurelia needs all the help she can get keeping you out of trouble, my dearest. But I've used enough of Her Highness's indulgence as it is. The protection of italica she entrusted to me."
"I know. We are our word."
"Exactly. However, as I said, I know Aurelia needs all the help she can get to keep an eye on you. So I am detailing Zivana and Kahlua to escort you on your journey"
"One of these days, we need to talk about the names your people use."
"I look forward to it, oh weaver of shirts." Panache smirked.
"Point," Taylor acknowledged in good humor.
"At any rate, they and Nayu and Aurelia will hopefully be able to keep you out of trouble."
"I never go looking for trouble."
"And yet, it finds you all the same," Panache answered.
"No disputing that. Well, I'll be back in a few weeks. Hopefully, we'll be closer to getting a peace deal."
"Hopefully. Ride well, dearest."
***
Alnus
"Are they sure?" Noriko asked.
"Yes." Tyuule said quietly. "The doctors say I'm about seven weeks pregnant."
"I see. Then, It's because of me. Because you were protecting me from him. What will you do?"
"What would you do if it were you? Knowing you were carrying the child of a monster inside you?" Tyuule shook her head.
"Children are born innocent," Noriko said. "Why punish a child for the evil in his or her parents? I hope I would carry and raise that child in love and teach them to make better and kinder choices in life. I would not want to become the thing I hate by taking my anger and fury out on an innocent life that can't possibly protect itself. And I hope that I would remember that child is partly me as well."
"And that child would be blessed," Tyuule said. "But this child may be twice cursed with a bastard for a father and a whore for a mother." She looked at herself in scorn.
"Why do you say that? You are a strong, courageous person! You saved me!"
"I… I don't regret that. That was the one worthwhile thing I managed But I was supposed to save my people! Instead Zorzal used my foolishness and my cowardice to destroy it all! I was the one they trusted to lead them and I led them to ruin… "
"You told me about how the Empire made war on your people. How they destroyed your villages until you agreed to meet with him. Were you supposed to let your people suffer if there was any chance to prevent it?"
"I should have met him army to army! But I was afraid," Tyuule admitted.
"I doubt that. You've never been afraid."
"I was afraid I'd lose."
"If you had, they would have destroyed everything with no one to stop them."
"They did anyway."
"So you tried to save your people. Doesn't being a good leader mean putting your pride aside if it helps your people? You did that."
"I failed. That's all that matters Except that for my efforts, my own people despise me."
"My great grandfather probably would have agreed with you. But he died. It wasn't his fault. But he was forced to fight a war he and his brothers couldn't win. But the leaders who told him to go into battle never stopped thinking about their own pride. If our nation burned to the ground, it was fine if they could keep their pride! Maybe if our people had more leaders willing to try to stop the fighting, our people would not have suffered so much."
"But my people suffered so much anyway because I failed. That's all that matters."
Learning how to stalk and kill from the shadows was part of the usual training for a Warrior Bunny. To move stealthily and surprise a target with TOTAL silence was an essential skill and Delilah might as well have hung up her blade if she couldn't handle that. But what worked out on the veldt did not always work as well in a more settled area, Delilah had learned. Sometimes the most effective approach was to act as if one belonged in the place they were attempting to infiltrate. To move casually with confidence and in many cases, others would assume one was supposed to be there. This technique was certainly much more applicable to the current situation than trying to sneak around a building full of people.This would also be true of Tyuule as well as her senses would be keyed to something incongruent with her environment. Of course, that didn't consider that she was armed. Having concealed her weapon under her dress, Delilah took advantage of the fact that the 'Green Men' were focused on open threats. In the aftermath of what was to come, much criticism was given to the existing security arrangements but this real was a matter of 'wise after the fact'.
Indeed, much of Delilah's success that day could be directly attributed to the sheer audacity in which she conducted her mission, going and directly asking for what room Tyuule was in.
"Room One-Oh-seven. I can call the ward nurse and let them know you're here."
"Oh! I was hoping to surprise her. It's been so long since we've seen each other."
"Well, alright then, Go straight down this hall and take the second left. About three quarters of the way and it will be on the left."
"Thank you." Delilah smiled most sincerely and headed down the hall. Rounding the corner and noticing no one in the corridor, she moved her hand to the hilt of her blade.She slowed her heartbeat and carefully listened, hearing voices from the room up ahead. Hearing the voice of her former queen again…
"You told me about how the Empire made war on your people. How they destroyed your villages until you agreed to meet with him. Were you supposed to let your people suffer if there was any chance to prevent it?"
"I should have met him army to army! But I was afraid," Tyuule admitted.
Delilah eased out her weapon. Soon she would have the traitor's blood.
"I doubt that. You've never been afraid."
"I was afraid I'd lose."
For a moment, Delilah remembered her own fears on the eve of her first battle. But Tyuule was different! She was Queen! Her mind insisted it was different.
"If you had, they would have destroyed everything with no one to stop them."
"They did anyway."
"So you tried to save your people. Doesn't being a good leader mean putting your pride aside if it helps your people? You did that."
Carefully, Delilah eased open the door. As she did so, she pondered the words she was hearing.
"I failed. That's all that matters Except that for my efforts, my own people despise me."
"My great grandfather probably would have agreed with you. But he died. It wasn't his fault. But he was forced to fight a war he and his brothers couldn't win. But the leaders who told him to go into battle never stopped thinking about their own pride. If our nation burned to the ground, it was fine if they could keep their pride! Maybe if our people had more leaders willing to try to stop the fighting, our people would not have suffered so much."
"But my people suffered so much anyway because I failed. That's all that matters."
Delilah paused for just a moment. She had a mission to carry out. She couldn't allow doubt to stay her hand. Besides, she had sworn vengeance! Revenge for all their dead! Didn't Tyuule deserve to die for her treason? At any rate, she was committed. No more hesitation. Only action! She stepped inside, weapon in hand, prepared to kill.
"You said that convincingly enough I could almost believe you." Delilah spoke, catching Tyuule by surprise.
"Delilah!"
"My queen," Delilah sneered, blade drawn. "You betrayed us all! We ran like RATS! While you WHORED for Zorzal!"
"You want to kill me," Tyuule nodded. "Alright.I won't fight you." She looked to Noriko. "Let her leave."
"I'm afraid I can't do that. My instructions are to kill both of you," Delilah answered.
"Damned to Hardy with your instructions!" Tyuule shot back. "She hasn't ever done anything to our people! You want your revenge? Kill me! But don't put innocent blood on your hands. Don't become what Zorzal is. Don't become what you think I am." Tyuule stepped forward, ready to defend Noriko.
Delilah hesitated. This was not the Tyuule she expected. She was prepared to kill the coward who fled in the night. As she stood there, she wondered to herself if she had been clinging to the image the Empire had created of Tyuule because she so badly needed someone to hate, because she needed revenge? And what of this human? Noriko? Tyuule was right. Noriko was no threat to her kind and she couldn't see why Countess Formar would order her death. At the time, it seemed inconsequential why Noriko was to be killed. It put Delilah in place to kill Tyuule.
Now it made no sense. Her Loyalty was without question but Kaine trusted her because her integrity was without question. And this did not feel right…
She heard the sound of footsteps. And sighed, her choice made.
"DROP THE KNIFE!"
Delilah's blade fell from her grasp.
For the briefest of moments, she contemplated escape but dismissed the attempt as pointless.
Yanagida breathed a sigh of relief. He really did not want to shoot anyone today. Well, except for Itami but that was normal. He gestured for her to move away from the weapon, eyeing her carefully as she backed away. As he started to bend at the knees to pick up the knife, he couldn't understand why there was a sudden, sharp pain in his back…
From the beginning, Kucy had not been overly enthusiastic about this deal and it kept getting progressively worse. Dars were a race of shapeshifters and their talents made them highly sought after as spies and assassins who were afforded top coin for their services. Their loyalty was well assured given the cost for their services. And yet, for all that, Kucy was wishing they had found someone else to take this job.
The first problem was the target. Kucy had no compunction about who she killed but Warrior Bunnies were notoriously difficult to surprise or fool. No one knew exactly how Warior Bunnies were able to detect them. No Dar had survived having learned the secret and the Bunnies, naturally, were not telling. And now she was expected to stalk a Warrior Bunny 'at a discreet distance' of course, and make certain Delilah did, infact, kill her target and then kill Delilah afterwards.
That was the plan in the simplest of terms. Of course, it wasn't even that simple. She, of course, knew ahead of time, even before Delilah, who her target was meant to be and had arranged for Delilah's contact to have a fatal 'accident' shortly after he left Alnus town. Naturally, she would now have to follow Delilah onto the 'Green Men's base. They were all human, so that did not seem to be a problem. But their ways were strange and she had heard rumors about the Green men having 'eyes' that could see in the darkest nights. There was no telling what to expect. So, she spent days disguised as various peasants, studying how to get in and out of the 'hospital' where Tyuule and Noriko were. She then waited for Delilah to make her move.
Now it was time to make sure the job was done. True that Delilah's death would provoke suspicion but everything would point back to the letter in her room bearing the seal of the Countess of Formar. A convenient pawn. So, observing one of the humans who seemed to have some authority, she adjusted her appearance to his form and casually donned his clothes after the man went in for a shower and with that, strode confidently following Delilah's trail, her scent still in the air.
It was then she saw the man in Green standing with his weapon drawn and his back to her. From his tone, she suspected Delilah had failed. More work to take care of. More pay she'd insist on when it was done. Kucy slipped out her knife and stabbed the Green Man in one quiet yet swift motion. She had no time to make sure he was dead. Just as long as he was out of the way, she could make sure he was dead after she killed Delilah and the other two. No one ever said an assassin's job was easy...
Delilah silently cursed herself as Yanagida fell forward. She hadn't considered that anyone would follow her. Why would she? She had the full confidence and trust of House Formar and this was not how House Formar did things. Of course, if it was a set-up all along? Well, she could BEAT the answers out of somebody!
Except her blade was on the floor. Still, she was a Warrior Bunny…
"Haaa!" Delilah leapt to the attack, lashing out with a powerful kick that caught Kucy in the shoulder, a glancing blow that still slammed the Dar into the far wall. Rotating her injured shoulder, she grimaced. "Guess I'll need to bulk up a bit." She grinned as her body began to transform.
"This is not good," Delilah muttered as the now massive brute rushed her, bodily slamming her into a wall as she rammed her knife into Delilah's stomach. But before Kucy could finish the job, Tyuule seized up Delilah's blade and thrust deep into Kucy's back, causing the Dar to howl in pain as she angrily swiped at Tyuule.
"Come on beast! Is that the best you can do?" Tyuule demanded. "Noriko! Run!" She urged as she slashed again at her massive opponent. Kucy was hurt but she was still a veritable mountain as she backhanded Tyuule to the floor. Stepping on the former Queen's hand, she raised a killing blow…
A loud noise and a sudden pain stung Kucy from behind. As she turned to meet the new threat, she was hit twice more. Each shot like a hammer and Kucy was now aware of just how hurt she was. There was a time to cut one's losses and this was it as she ran out of the room and away from the MPs who, alerted by gunfire, were rushing to the scene. Tyuule shook her head, stunned from having her skull smacked into the floor. Before she collapsed, the last thing she saw was Noriko still shakily holding Yanagida's smoking pistol in her hands.
Chapter 38: The World Turned Upside Down
Alnus Town
Delilah could remember few mornings as pleasant as this one. The air was light with a warm breeze blowing. Yesterday's shift at work had been relatively free of hassles. Delilah thanked the gods that Kaine had selected her for this assignment. Officially, Countess Formar was merely returning the goodwill that the Pacific Allies had shown in protecting Italica by sending some of her skilled staff to assist them in running Alnus Town. In that alone, Delilah was delighted to see all the wonders the off-worlders had brought. As nice as Italica was for her and Grine to have found sanctuary in after their flight from the long plains of their home, Alnus was a town of light and wonder! The streets were wide and clean, well lit. The food was better by far than anything she had before and the people were generally upbeat and hopeful, intent on building new lives in a place of opportunity.
Unofficially, Kaine still had concerns and questions about the 'Men in Green' There had been a time when the Empire had promised to be 'Good neighbors' to her home city of Rosa. That had ended thirty years ago when the Empire simply decided to lay siege and take over. Kaine generally believed that the Pacific allies were different but there was still so much about them that remained to be understood! So, Kaine had embedded agents among the workers sent to Alnus. These agents would quietly observe and report what they could because, for better or for worse, it was clear that the newcomers would decide the future of Italica and Formar County, and the family to which Kaine had sworn loyal service to so many years ago.
Fortunately, Delilah was able to stress in her reports that the Pacific allies seemed to have no need, desire, or intention to move on Italica or the rest of the Formar lands. That, indeed, Princess Pina's move to refer to County Formar as a Protectorate State in her discussions with the Allies had positioned Italica well in the future development of Falmart. Situated ideally on two of the most vital roads in the Empire, Delilah envisioned Italica eventually eclipsing Sadera in its importance.
Absolutely none of that prepared her for the letter she found left on her bed. Delilah had heard that a Warrior Bunny slave had been liberated along with a Japanese girl during Lieutenant Itami's mission to Sadera. The confirmation that this was, indeed, Tyuule gave Delilah pause. She had sworn vengeance upon the 'Traitor Queen', The Oath Breaker', for betraying them all to Zorzal. But acting for personal vengeance when Tyuule was now in the custody of the Pacific Allies was not to be permitted. Delilah would not break the oaths that she had sworn. The oaths that said that her duty to House Formar came before her own desires. So Tyuule was safely out of reach of Delilah's vengeance. Somehow, it wasn't herself that she thought of when she thought about Tyuule, it was Parna and how the flight after their Queen's betrayal had broken her battle sister and companion. How desperation and hopelessness brought by Tyuule's betrayal had led to an act of madness, where Parna, broken inside, severed her ear and numbly walked into Akusho. Delilah still kept Parna's severed ear as a reminder of the debt that Tyuule owed. She wondered what had become of the serious-minded but shy Parna and prayed to the old gods that they kept her in their embrace. She had no clue how her prayers were to be soon answered.
Delilah read the letter a second time and then a third time to be sure she was reading it correctly. As she once again checked the seal of Countess Formar, Delilah felt a thousand different emotions at once. She would have her vengeance, after all, it seemed. The chances she would escape were very small, she reasoned and even if she did, her life at Alnus was over But it was not Tyuule that gave her pause. Delilah was also instructed to kill the Japanese girl that had been freed with her. Delilah could not imagine what Noriko Mochizuki could possibly have done to warrant an order for termination. Why Countess Myui or Kaine would deem it either necessary or prudent to kill the girl right under the nose of her own people was not explained. But Delilah had not sworn to obey orders only if she understood the reason for them. Her loyalty was not conditional. She had her instructions. Today she prepared to die. Today she prepared to kill.
And after today, the world would never be the same...
***
GibraltarAt the same start of this same day, First Lieutenant Yanagida greeted the day with worry and anxiety. He also was beginning to notice his hair thinning and a few gray hairs lurking among the remainder. If he was being honest, Itami and Taylor were responsible for only forty percent of his problems. The normal job of being a General's aide was stressful enough. Add in the fact that General Hazama was now the highest-profile Japanese flag officer in over seventy years and the multinational nature of the force he led and the fact that the civilian press was being allowed into the Janus Region for the first time, it was the stuff of ulcers. And that didn't account for a cult of Dragon worshippers, made worse by the fact the dragon being worshipped was an American soldier, The worshippers of the local gods wanting to build new temples, including the worshippers of the resident 'fertility goddess', A small sect of local 'Christians', and weren't the representatives of the missionary groups and the Catholic Church going to want to look into that! A psychotic Unicorn that nobody wanted to shoot but they couldn't drive it away and nor could they contain it. Right now the New Zealanders were trying their hand with that and good luck to them! A bunch of foul-mouthed faeries with crude manners hanging around the American Marines, And no one could tell which were worse. They seemed to be rubbing off on each other. Kami! There is something wrong with that statement! The German Pioneers! The Orcish Delicatessen! The special requests of the Science Team! Seriously! The largest refrigerated trucks in Japan to haul organ and tissue samples from the giant dragon! And THEN Itami and Taylor. What in the name of the Kami did Yanagida ever do to have to deal with them and the chaos they created? How did those two continually luck into success? How did they get women who were obviously better than them? The universe was definitely a cruel place, Yanagida thought. He should have also remembered that the universe is always listening and has a perverted sense of humor. For today, he would get his moment. But first, he had a briefing with the press pool.
Fortunately, Kobayashi had proven willing to talk to her reporter sister. The younger Kobayashi taking advantage of the opportunity to have sole access to Lieutenant Itami's party, due to leave Alnus that morning.
As for the rest of the press pool, they would all receive a standard press packet, guides, and a thorough safety briefing. A slight mix-up yesterday occurred when the credentials for Fox News were accidentally issued to a local Vulpine journalist. Vixa and her team of scribes were responsible for a popular Alnus daily called 'The Fox Report'. It seemed rather unfair to strip the only represented local reporters of their credentials over a simple 'misunderstanding'. The American Fox News' reporters would finally get their own credentials but several competing news agencies had already latched onto the story, seeking interviews with both Vixa and her embarrassed American competitors over the mix-up. Yanagida hoped today's headaches would resolve themselves so easily...
***
At Third Recon's assembly area, Nanami Kuribayashi was waved over by her sister, who looked at her approvingly. Nanami was dressed in a spare set of her sister's fatigues, also wearing certified 'stab' armor at her sister's insistence. Shino had noted that a number of supposedly 'experienced' reporters had arrived in theater with impressive enough bullet resistant body armor but failing to understand that bullet proof was not necessarily stab proof. Nanami had brought a set as well but had listened quite carefully when Shino emphasized the difference and the need. So Nanami immediately requested the equipment her sister had advised her to carry.
"Someone's the early bird!" Shino said proudly. "All set?"
"There's a term for reporters who aren't ready to go, it's 'unemployed'," Nanami replied. "So are we all set to leave or do you have time to introduce me to everyone?"
"Lieutenant Itami and Mari Kurokawa, our medic should be here soon with King Duran. Then we return the King home so he can tell his people they're on our side now."
Nanami considered this. The first interview with a national leader from this side of the Gate would be a feather in her cap if she could get it. But she needed to feel the situation out first. Getting a good interview was like stalking big game: You didn't get the Lion by rushing headlong at it. Of course, with Rory, the Apostle who electrified the Diet and lit up the internet, Tuka, the Elven girl who had captured the hearts of millions with her shy charm and sincerity. And Lelei, the mage whose very existence had sent ripples through the scientific community, there looked to be plenty of opportunities on this trip. Heck! She suspected she'd have enough material for her own book when all was said and done. All things considered, while Nanami had worked hard for her career, perhaps there was something to be said for nepotism? Actually, not so much 'nepotism' but taking advantage of one's opportunities. Surely a trait demanded of every good reporter.
Shino proceeded to introduce her sister to the rest of the squad and their other fellow travelers. She paused a moment and nudged Nanami when they came to Furata, who was busily trying to get three very clingy girls to calm down.
"Felicity… Yeo…Sune… I'll be back for you! I promise!" These three and the Thraken girl Satha had been some of the most shaken after the Quake. In the end, ten of the girls from the Venus had to be sent to Alnus in the aftermath. In this event, however, the salient point was that these three girls were very reluctant to let their 'savior' go.
Shino nudged her sister and gestured to her camera.
Kurata's eyes went wide as he heard a distinctive *click*. Turning he saw Shino and someone who looked disturbingly like her, holding a camera.
"Kurata! Do you have a cheating heart? Shall we send this picture to Persia and Katrine?"
"No! I mean! I'm not cheating! I swear!" His voice dropped very quiet. "I just… I've told Felicity, Yeo, and Sune about Persia and Katrine but I haven't had a chance to tell Persia and Katrine about…" He gestured. "Them…" He looked at Shino pleadingly. "At first… Yeah. It was pretty good to my ego. I mean, if the lieutenants can manage it, why not a guy like me? But Now… Persia and Katrine? My back is full of scratches but they mean the world to me And Yeo and Felicity and Sune? I can't walk away from them. So… when we get back, I'll tell Persia and Katrine and I hope they'll understand. Because when we get back, I want to propose to them. I swear. No more looking around."
"Are you sure? What if we find a sorceress who wants to show you her magic?" Shino asked.
"Then I'll have to say no. I finally realize I'm a pretty lucky guy. And I don't want to lose all I've got."
"We'll hold you to your word, Kurata-Kun," Rory spoke up with a wicked grin. Shino nodded agreement.
"As long as you tell them as soon as you can," Shino agreed. "Otherwise…" Shino looked at her sister's camera.
"Now you know why I don't brag about this sort of thing," Lieutenant Itami commented as he walked up with Kurokawa, who was pushing King Duran's wheelchair. He glanced uncomfortably as Yao, Tuka, Lelei, and Rory smiled back at him.
"What about Taylor? Last I checked, he seemed happy?" Kurata pointed out.
"He's a masochist," Itami replied dryly. He then looked around at his people. "Alright then! We've got a long drive ahead! Let's mount up and everyone look sharp! Let's not have any surprises this time!"
"Hai!"
***
Italica
"I wish you were coming with me," Taylor admitted as he embraced Panache one last time before mounting his horse. It would be weeks of riding. First, returning Lady Agrippina to her manor as she had finally decided that she had enough information and the appropriate opportunity to strike upon the feckless slime whom she had once called 'husband'. And then Taylor would be making an inspection of a number of estates as requested by Lady Octavia and her Ladies in waiting. This would not only include the estate of Legate Germanicus, but the estate that he, himself, was expected to inherit as heir to House Octavus. This included the port of Antica. While not considered of significant military value to Janus Command, the US Navy was at least interested in learning about the city and Falmart's waterways. This was natural for a service which, although was responsible for supporting the Marine contingent, had been largely shut out of the picture. The navy recognized that any operations it might have the chance to partake in would likely be 'brown water' operations. To that end, reports on local shipbuilding capability and the extent of navigable rivers was sought. As the supply pipeline into the Janus theater was tight enough already, there was no way to ship in modern boats and equipment shipped in needed to be kept to a minimum.
"So do I," Panache replied. "Heavens know that Aurelia needs all the help she can get keeping you out of trouble, my dearest. But I've used enough of Her Highness's indulgence as it is. The protection of italica she entrusted to me."
"I know. We are our word."
"Exactly. However, as I said, I know Aurelia needs all the help she can get to keep an eye on you. So I am detailing Zivana and Kahlua to escort you on your journey"
"One of these days, we need to talk about the names your people use."
"I look forward to it, oh weaver of shirts." Panache smirked.
"Point," Taylor acknowledged in good humor.
"At any rate, they and Nayu and Aurelia will hopefully be able to keep you out of trouble."
"I never go looking for trouble."
"And yet, it finds you all the same," Panache answered.
"No disputing that. Well, I'll be back in a few weeks. Hopefully, we'll be closer to getting a peace deal."
"Hopefully. Ride well, dearest."
***
Alnus
"Are they sure?" Noriko asked.
"Yes." Tyuule said quietly. "The doctors say I'm about seven weeks pregnant."
"I see. Then, It's because of me. Because you were protecting me from him. What will you do?"
"What would you do if it were you? Knowing you were carrying the child of a monster inside you?" Tyuule shook her head.
"Children are born innocent," Noriko said. "Why punish a child for the evil in his or her parents? I hope I would carry and raise that child in love and teach them to make better and kinder choices in life. I would not want to become the thing I hate by taking my anger and fury out on an innocent life that can't possibly protect itself. And I hope that I would remember that child is partly me as well."
"And that child would be blessed," Tyuule said. "But this child may be twice cursed with a bastard for a father and a whore for a mother." She looked at herself in scorn.
"Why do you say that? You are a strong, courageous person! You saved me!"
"I… I don't regret that. That was the one worthwhile thing I managed But I was supposed to save my people! Instead Zorzal used my foolishness and my cowardice to destroy it all! I was the one they trusted to lead them and I led them to ruin… "
"You told me about how the Empire made war on your people. How they destroyed your villages until you agreed to meet with him. Were you supposed to let your people suffer if there was any chance to prevent it?"
"I should have met him army to army! But I was afraid," Tyuule admitted.
"I doubt that. You've never been afraid."
"I was afraid I'd lose."
"If you had, they would have destroyed everything with no one to stop them."
"They did anyway."
"So you tried to save your people. Doesn't being a good leader mean putting your pride aside if it helps your people? You did that."
"I failed. That's all that matters Except that for my efforts, my own people despise me."
"My great grandfather probably would have agreed with you. But he died. It wasn't his fault. But he was forced to fight a war he and his brothers couldn't win. But the leaders who told him to go into battle never stopped thinking about their own pride. If our nation burned to the ground, it was fine if they could keep their pride! Maybe if our people had more leaders willing to try to stop the fighting, our people would not have suffered so much."
"But my people suffered so much anyway because I failed. That's all that matters."
***
Learning how to stalk and kill from the shadows was part of the usual training for a Warrior Bunny. To move stealthily and surprise a target with TOTAL silence was an essential skill and Delilah might as well have hung up her blade if she couldn't handle that. But what worked out on the veldt did not always work as well in a more settled area, Delilah had learned. Sometimes the most effective approach was to act as if one belonged in the place they were attempting to infiltrate. To move casually with confidence and in many cases, others would assume one was supposed to be there. This technique was certainly much more applicable to the current situation than trying to sneak around a building full of people.This would also be true of Tyuule as well as her senses would be keyed to something incongruent with her environment. Of course, that didn't consider that she was armed. Having concealed her weapon under her dress, Delilah took advantage of the fact that the 'Green Men' were focused on open threats. In the aftermath of what was to come, much criticism was given to the existing security arrangements but this real was a matter of 'wise after the fact'.
Indeed, much of Delilah's success that day could be directly attributed to the sheer audacity in which she conducted her mission, going and directly asking for what room Tyuule was in.
"Room One-Oh-seven. I can call the ward nurse and let them know you're here."
"Oh! I was hoping to surprise her. It's been so long since we've seen each other."
"Well, alright then, Go straight down this hall and take the second left. About three quarters of the way and it will be on the left."
"Thank you." Delilah smiled most sincerely and headed down the hall. Rounding the corner and noticing no one in the corridor, she moved her hand to the hilt of her blade.She slowed her heartbeat and carefully listened, hearing voices from the room up ahead. Hearing the voice of her former queen again…
"You told me about how the Empire made war on your people. How they destroyed your villages until you agreed to meet with him. Were you supposed to let your people suffer if there was any chance to prevent it?"
"I should have met him army to army! But I was afraid," Tyuule admitted.
Delilah eased out her weapon. Soon she would have the traitor's blood.
"I doubt that. You've never been afraid."
"I was afraid I'd lose."
For a moment, Delilah remembered her own fears on the eve of her first battle. But Tyuule was different! She was Queen! Her mind insisted it was different.
"If you had, they would have destroyed everything with no one to stop them."
"They did anyway."
"So you tried to save your people. Doesn't being a good leader mean putting your pride aside if it helps your people? You did that."
Carefully, Delilah eased open the door. As she did so, she pondered the words she was hearing.
"I failed. That's all that matters Except that for my efforts, my own people despise me."
"My great grandfather probably would have agreed with you. But he died. It wasn't his fault. But he was forced to fight a war he and his brothers couldn't win. But the leaders who told him to go into battle never stopped thinking about their own pride. If our nation burned to the ground, it was fine if they could keep their pride! Maybe if our people had more leaders willing to try to stop the fighting, our people would not have suffered so much."
"But my people suffered so much anyway because I failed. That's all that matters."
Delilah paused for just a moment. She had a mission to carry out. She couldn't allow doubt to stay her hand. Besides, she had sworn vengeance! Revenge for all their dead! Didn't Tyuule deserve to die for her treason? At any rate, she was committed. No more hesitation. Only action! She stepped inside, weapon in hand, prepared to kill.
"You said that convincingly enough I could almost believe you." Delilah spoke, catching Tyuule by surprise.
"Delilah!"
"My queen," Delilah sneered, blade drawn. "You betrayed us all! We ran like RATS! While you WHORED for Zorzal!"
"You want to kill me," Tyuule nodded. "Alright.I won't fight you." She looked to Noriko. "Let her leave."
"I'm afraid I can't do that. My instructions are to kill both of you," Delilah answered.
"Damned to Hardy with your instructions!" Tyuule shot back. "She hasn't ever done anything to our people! You want your revenge? Kill me! But don't put innocent blood on your hands. Don't become what Zorzal is. Don't become what you think I am." Tyuule stepped forward, ready to defend Noriko.
Delilah hesitated. This was not the Tyuule she expected. She was prepared to kill the coward who fled in the night. As she stood there, she wondered to herself if she had been clinging to the image the Empire had created of Tyuule because she so badly needed someone to hate, because she needed revenge? And what of this human? Noriko? Tyuule was right. Noriko was no threat to her kind and she couldn't see why Countess Formar would order her death. At the time, it seemed inconsequential why Noriko was to be killed. It put Delilah in place to kill Tyuule.
Now it made no sense. Her Loyalty was without question but Kaine trusted her because her integrity was without question. And this did not feel right…
She heard the sound of footsteps. And sighed, her choice made.
"DROP THE KNIFE!"
Delilah's blade fell from her grasp.
For the briefest of moments, she contemplated escape but dismissed the attempt as pointless.
Yanagida breathed a sigh of relief. He really did not want to shoot anyone today. Well, except for Itami but that was normal. He gestured for her to move away from the weapon, eyeing her carefully as she backed away. As he started to bend at the knees to pick up the knife, he couldn't understand why there was a sudden, sharp pain in his back…
***
From the beginning, Kucy had not been overly enthusiastic about this deal and it kept getting progressively worse. Dars were a race of shapeshifters and their talents made them highly sought after as spies and assassins who were afforded top coin for their services. Their loyalty was well assured given the cost for their services. And yet, for all that, Kucy was wishing they had found someone else to take this job.
The first problem was the target. Kucy had no compunction about who she killed but Warrior Bunnies were notoriously difficult to surprise or fool. No one knew exactly how Warior Bunnies were able to detect them. No Dar had survived having learned the secret and the Bunnies, naturally, were not telling. And now she was expected to stalk a Warrior Bunny 'at a discreet distance' of course, and make certain Delilah did, infact, kill her target and then kill Delilah afterwards.
That was the plan in the simplest of terms. Of course, it wasn't even that simple. She, of course, knew ahead of time, even before Delilah, who her target was meant to be and had arranged for Delilah's contact to have a fatal 'accident' shortly after he left Alnus town. Naturally, she would now have to follow Delilah onto the 'Green Men's base. They were all human, so that did not seem to be a problem. But their ways were strange and she had heard rumors about the Green men having 'eyes' that could see in the darkest nights. There was no telling what to expect. So, she spent days disguised as various peasants, studying how to get in and out of the 'hospital' where Tyuule and Noriko were. She then waited for Delilah to make her move.
Now it was time to make sure the job was done. True that Delilah's death would provoke suspicion but everything would point back to the letter in her room bearing the seal of the Countess of Formar. A convenient pawn. So, observing one of the humans who seemed to have some authority, she adjusted her appearance to his form and casually donned his clothes after the man went in for a shower and with that, strode confidently following Delilah's trail, her scent still in the air.
It was then she saw the man in Green standing with his weapon drawn and his back to her. From his tone, she suspected Delilah had failed. More work to take care of. More pay she'd insist on when it was done. Kucy slipped out her knife and stabbed the Green Man in one quiet yet swift motion. She had no time to make sure he was dead. Just as long as he was out of the way, she could make sure he was dead after she killed Delilah and the other two. No one ever said an assassin's job was easy...
***
Delilah silently cursed herself as Yanagida fell forward. She hadn't considered that anyone would follow her. Why would she? She had the full confidence and trust of House Formar and this was not how House Formar did things. Of course, if it was a set-up all along? Well, she could BEAT the answers out of somebody!
Except her blade was on the floor. Still, she was a Warrior Bunny…
"Haaa!" Delilah leapt to the attack, lashing out with a powerful kick that caught Kucy in the shoulder, a glancing blow that still slammed the Dar into the far wall. Rotating her injured shoulder, she grimaced. "Guess I'll need to bulk up a bit." She grinned as her body began to transform.
"This is not good," Delilah muttered as the now massive brute rushed her, bodily slamming her into a wall as she rammed her knife into Delilah's stomach. But before Kucy could finish the job, Tyuule seized up Delilah's blade and thrust deep into Kucy's back, causing the Dar to howl in pain as she angrily swiped at Tyuule.
"Come on beast! Is that the best you can do?" Tyuule demanded. "Noriko! Run!" She urged as she slashed again at her massive opponent. Kucy was hurt but she was still a veritable mountain as she backhanded Tyuule to the floor. Stepping on the former Queen's hand, she raised a killing blow…
A loud noise and a sudden pain stung Kucy from behind. As she turned to meet the new threat, she was hit twice more. Each shot like a hammer and Kucy was now aware of just how hurt she was. There was a time to cut one's losses and this was it as she ran out of the room and away from the MPs who, alerted by gunfire, were rushing to the scene. Tyuule shook her head, stunned from having her skull smacked into the floor. Before she collapsed, the last thing she saw was Noriko still shakily holding Yanagida's smoking pistol in her hands.
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