In the lawless frontier, might makes right. Business deals are often
carried out by means of intimidation and assassination. In order to protect
themselves, those in power have begun employing private citizens of
exceptional ability as bodyguards. These highly trained individuals work
loyally and flawlessly, for a fee. A fee that the powerful gladly pay.
Tenkyo, and the systems surrounding it, were something of an anomaly in the territory of the Terrans. The original colonists were Japanese traditionalists, wishing a return to old ways of life and conservative ideals. When they made planetfall, they immediately set about designing a new social system, designed on the ancient patterns of Japan. On the planet's surface, sustenance farms lay everywhere, owned in commune by the villages. The few cities were laid out in a gird pattern, traditional wooden housing making the most of the area.
On this world, men and women spoke only Japanese. Kimonos and yukatas were in perpetual fashion. Trained swordsmen walked about with their armaments in full view. The scant technology was used only by those who had contact with the outlying star systems.
Dressed in a reed rainsuit, the woman raised no particular interest in those around her. Making no attempt to hide her face, she moved leisurely down the street, as though she had nothing important to do. When a group of swordsmen passed, she made sure to meet their eyes, then look demurely away.
Twilight Suzuka had gone back to the profession of killing. As to why, she couldn't say. One would have thought that her time with Gene Starwind would have broken old habits. Not to be the case, unfortunately. Killing, it seemed to her, was the only job she was good at. And frankly, there was a lot of money to be had in murder for hire.
She wasn't one to have regrets. Suzuka was good at killing. So, she killed. Not long after returning home, she learned of a new political faction trying to achieve power in the local government. Suzuka had gone to an opposing faction and made it clear that she was available for hire. Offers poured in.
Disappearing down a small alleyway, she soon came to a wood-covered window. She carefully displaced the slats, then squeezed her body in. For precautions' sake, she placed the slats back. Wouldn't do for a passerby to see an opened window. Or worse yet, an armed security team.
Suzuka moved slowly through the bottom level of the house, taking out guards as she did so. Confident the floor level was clear, she moved up the stairs toward her ultimate target.
Inside the room where a politician discussed matters with an underling, a single bodyguard sat. It if weren't for the steady rise and fall of his abdomen, he would have been mistaken for a statue. His eyes were closed, his face displaying a look of unconcerned concentration. As though he was observing a relaxing puzzle. His shocking red hair—a most unnatural color for a Japanese man—was pulled back into a high ponytail.
His eyes opened. Quickly, but with dead calm, he pulled his sword into an upright position. The politician and underling, startled by the sudden movement, started at him.
"The guards are dead," he stated. He paused for a moment to put his sandals on. This fight would probably wind up in the street.
Moving to the door, his left hand placed the sword inside his belt. He opened the sliding door.
And charged.
His sword, pommel first, sheath and all, flew outwards toward his opponent's throat. The figure in the white kimono jumped back and to the side, bring up her bokuto in a crossways ready position. He pivoted quickly to face her. He easily drew his sword, holding down at his side.
Battousai the Manslayer and Twilight Suzuka entered mortal combat.
Tenkyo, and the systems surrounding it, were something of an anomaly in the territory of the Terrans. The original colonists were Japanese traditionalists, wishing a return to old ways of life and conservative ideals. When they made planetfall, they immediately set about designing a new social system, designed on the ancient patterns of Japan. On the planet's surface, sustenance farms lay everywhere, owned in commune by the villages. The few cities were laid out in a gird pattern, traditional wooden housing making the most of the area.
On this world, men and women spoke only Japanese. Kimonos and yukatas were in perpetual fashion. Trained swordsmen walked about with their armaments in full view. The scant technology was used only by those who had contact with the outlying star systems.
Dressed in a reed rainsuit, the woman raised no particular interest in those around her. Making no attempt to hide her face, she moved leisurely down the street, as though she had nothing important to do. When a group of swordsmen passed, she made sure to meet their eyes, then look demurely away.
Twilight Suzuka had gone back to the profession of killing. As to why, she couldn't say. One would have thought that her time with Gene Starwind would have broken old habits. Not to be the case, unfortunately. Killing, it seemed to her, was the only job she was good at. And frankly, there was a lot of money to be had in murder for hire.
She wasn't one to have regrets. Suzuka was good at killing. So, she killed. Not long after returning home, she learned of a new political faction trying to achieve power in the local government. Suzuka had gone to an opposing faction and made it clear that she was available for hire. Offers poured in.
Disappearing down a small alleyway, she soon came to a wood-covered window. She carefully displaced the slats, then squeezed her body in. For precautions' sake, she placed the slats back. Wouldn't do for a passerby to see an opened window. Or worse yet, an armed security team.
Suzuka moved slowly through the bottom level of the house, taking out guards as she did so. Confident the floor level was clear, she moved up the stairs toward her ultimate target.
Inside the room where a politician discussed matters with an underling, a single bodyguard sat. It if weren't for the steady rise and fall of his abdomen, he would have been mistaken for a statue. His eyes were closed, his face displaying a look of unconcerned concentration. As though he was observing a relaxing puzzle. His shocking red hair—a most unnatural color for a Japanese man—was pulled back into a high ponytail.
His eyes opened. Quickly, but with dead calm, he pulled his sword into an upright position. The politician and underling, startled by the sudden movement, started at him.
"The guards are dead," he stated. He paused for a moment to put his sandals on. This fight would probably wind up in the street.
Moving to the door, his left hand placed the sword inside his belt. He opened the sliding door.
And charged.
His sword, pommel first, sheath and all, flew outwards toward his opponent's throat. The figure in the white kimono jumped back and to the side, bring up her bokuto in a crossways ready position. He pivoted quickly to face her. He easily drew his sword, holding down at his side.
Battousai the Manslayer and Twilight Suzuka entered mortal combat.