DIPOMACY Authors Notes: This epic story is inspired by epic British Empire films like "The charge of the light brigade," "Four feathers," and "Zulu." It is the story of British soldiers on diplomatic duty in Japan in the late 1870s, based on the movie "Samurai X." Short and sweet it is a more historically accurate depiction of what would have happened. Yes Kenshin and the gang will show up. I do not own Ruroni Kenshin or any characters from the movie or show. Although some of my British characters are based on characters from other films I do own them. Enjoy, and please review.
The year is 1878. It has been one and half a decade since the Japanese freed themselves from the evil militaristic shogun. The emperor is planning a drastic modernization of Japan. The Samurai warrior of whom for more than half a century have defended Japan from all its enemies is slipping into the darkness of the mind forgotten and forsaken by his very people. To maintain the peace and douse suspicion the emperor has exiled the samurai from they're very souls, they're swords. To the samurai his sword is his soul of which he carried everywhere. Many samurai fought against the shogun, but in the samurai Japan sees the darkness that lies in they're past. For many samurai it is impossible to find or build a new life of peace amongst the drastically modernizing Japan. This leads them to a terrible resolve.
Foreigners. The one thing Japan has feared and hated for hundreds of years now roams they're streets freely, businessmen, tourists, diplomats, anyone not born of Japan. The Japanese people originally revolted against the shogun because he had allowed foreigners to trade with Japan. How ever it was with the help of foreign technology that they were able to defeat the shogun so they now seek to catch up with the world and rebuild themselves to be even stronger than they ever have been before. Unfortunately there a sect that believes foreign influences to be evil and that they are poisoning the government and social system alike. People who believe that they should be eradicated. Several nations have diplomatic outposts in Japan including Russia, Spain France, The United States and the British Empire.
Leftenant Collins of Her Majesties Navy had heard from his subordinate that there was some foul play amongst the sailors on shore leave from the HMS Victoria. He spoke with the captain about it and was granted permission to take a squad of 18 marines a shore and solve the problem. They rowed ashore and climbed out of the boat to see an entertaining sight no less than half a dozen British sailors were brawling with the Japanese police force. (Right after Sanoske fought with them). Collins however was disgusted with what he saw. He pulled out his webly revolver and fired a shot off into the air, which got the undivided attention of not only the sailors but of the police as well. The sailors, knowing they were in serious trouble scrambled to attention and the police simple brushed themselves off and folded they're arms. "We will take it from here," said Collins to the policemen they nodded at the sight of the marines and left. The disgustful look on Collins face only grew worse when he looked back at the sailors, all of them scratched, cut, bruised, and bleeding with torn clothing from the fight. "Look at yourselves, you men are a disgrace. What makes you think this is acceptable behavior for sailors of the crown?" he sneered
"Well ye see sir there was this man with a sword and he-"began one of the sailors, the shirtless muscular sandy haired one with a read neckerchief.
"Stuff your damn excesses you blasted Scotsman!" snapped Collins. "I want to know what happened here, tell me," he ordered.
An old man came from behind him and told him in broken English, "I believe I can explain sir, I witnessed this."
"Speak up then," said Collins.
"These men were attacking that girl over there," he said pointing to a girl in her late teens working in the back of an inn. "This man," he motioned to a man dressed in black carrying a samurai sword, "came and threatened them with his sword, to protect the girl and resulted in a fight."
"I believe you have said quite enough sir, thank you," he said. Collins walked up to the woman. "I apologize for the misconduct of my men madam I assure you it shall not happen again," he said in almost perfect Japanese.
"Oh thank you, it wasn't that bad really," she said in a shy quiet ton of voice.
"No it is not," came a strong voice from behind. It was the man in black. "Just because you are welcome on our streets doesn't give you the right to attack and take advantage of our women," growled the man in black.
"Sir these men's actions are against the standing rules of Her Majesties Royal Navy I give you my word they will be punished accordingly," he assured the man. Although it was clear he was unsatisfied, the swordsmen sheathed his sword and walked away. Collins turned back to the woman. "I am sorry again madam," he said and she nodded. Then he turned to his men, his anger and frustration was clearly seen. He walked up to the Scottish sailor, the shirtless one, stopped in front of him paused for a moment then leaned forward and took a deep sniff of the mans breath. It smelled deeply of rum. "You damn dirty drunken filth of a Scotsman!" he shouted. "You dare to get drunk and attack women on the streets!" he said as he punched the man squarely on the nose.
"I beg yer pardon sir, but we didn't mean no real harm, non of us did. Surely you know what its like bein at see for months at a time," said a young blonde haired sailor to the right of the Scotsman.
"I understand Mr.Blatly but there is a higher point to be made," he said than continued to speak in a voice in which everyone could hear him. "As sailors of the crown we represent a specific and sacred image of our homeland," at these words the men lowered they're heads in shame, except for the Scotsman. "And that image cannot be that of a damn drunken pervert," he said and looked coldly at the Scotsman.
"Will you be telling the captain about this sir?" asked a dark brown haired sailor to the left of the Scotsman.
"You best pray I do not Mr. Lincoln, and one more look from you like that Mr. Wallace and I will," he said motioning to the Scotsman, Mr. Wallace, who was trying to hide his look of hatred. "Gather your supplies men shore leave is canceled. I want" suddenly the sound of flare was heard from the sky above. Collins quickly took out his telescope and looked up to the sky with it. He saw the glaring red light, even in broad daylight. "That's the General alarm!" he said. He looked again and saw the combinations of different color flares and then paused in horror. "The embassy is under attack! Marines form a road column sailors open the rifle carts disperse rifles and ammunition!" he shouted.
"Aye sir," they all said, bewildered at what was happening. With eighteen marines and ten drunken sailors Collins knew he would have to lead an assistance force to the rescue of the British embassy which would consist of fifty soldiers at most and the British Ambassador. With in a minute his men were all armed and ready.
"Fix bayonets," he ordered. They all fixed their sixteen-inch bayonets on they're rifles as quickly as they could. "To they embassy at the double quick," he ordered they all began to run-march down the road to the embassy following they're officer.