Early the following morning, in the dungeon below Mokuzai‑dojo, Danny Brock is woken by the three guards that have come to escort him to Ryoichi Nakano's inner sanctum for questioning. He would have attempted an escape overnight, but two things prevented him: Kaede's orders, and the heavy chains holding him in place.
"Sleep well, badger?" the lead guard of the trio asks as he enters the cell. "If you did, it'll be the last good night's sleep you'll have for a long time. The dai‑sensei, he's not one to be bothered by much. So, when he decided to personally question you, it was quite a surprise. If I was you, I'd be begging for a chance to write your last will and testament."
"My fall will not stop the rise of Mizu," Danny states defiantly, in accordance with Kaede's orders. "There are others like me out there. We cannot be stopped."
"Tell that to the dai‑sensei," the guard replies dismissively. "Boys, unlock the terrorist and take him to be judged."
Ten minutes later, Danny is escorted into Ryoichi's inner sanctum, pushed roughly into a chair, and locked to it with shackles around his shins and forearms. With the badger safely secured, the guards leave the sanctum.
A few minutes later, Ryoichi emerges from his bedroom, dressed in his regular camo‑pattern outfit. "Normally, I don't bother with this sort of thing," the sable begins. "But you've taken out my armoury and my vehicle depot. You've left us immobile and defenceless. Did you really think you'd get away with it?"
"My fate is immaterial," Danny replies. "I have served Mizu well, and will gladly die for her."
"So, the otter really is behind these attacks," Ryoichi concludes. "And yet Chika Ueno pleads her innocence. I wonder, of all the possible times, why does she make this play now?"
Danny remains silent, as per Kaede's orders.
"Oh, so now you refuse to talk?" Ryoichi remarks. "Want to know what else I wonder? Why you allowed yourself to be captured."
"I would have thought that would be obvious," Danny replies.
"Chika's not stupid," Ryoichi affirms. "She wouldn't have ordered you to allow yourself to be captured so you can attempt to intimidate me. A task you're failing at, by the way. One last question: is Mizu responsible for the attacks on Tsuchi and Kinzoku too?"
"Tsuchi and Kinzoku will drown in Mizu's righteous justice, as will Mokuzai," Danny confirms.
"I have all the evidence I need," Ryoichi informs. "This entire conversation has been recorded, and is being sent to Senator Mariko Nakahara as I speak. Now all that's left is to deal with you. To be honest, I couldn't care less what happens to you. And since killing you would be a waste of time, I think I'll just have you dumped in the middle of the Hokorioka desert." Ryoichi allows himself a small chuckle. "A warrior of Mizu, dying of thirst… rather ironic, don't you think? Don't worry, that won't happen for a while yet. After all, the senator will want to speak with you first."
Two hours later, Senator Mariko Nakahara arrives at Ryoichi's inner sanctum, where the dai‑sensei is waiting to greet him.
"Ohayō gozaimasu," Ryoichi greets, bowing low in respect.
"Ohayō," Mariko replies, bowing in turn. "Where is he?"
"Right here," Ryoichi answers, stepping aside to permit the senator to enter.
Mariko enters the sanctum and stands in front of Danny. "So, you're the terrorist who keeps attacking my citizens?"
"I am but one of many," Danny confirms.
"That much is evident from the fact that both Kinzoku and Tsuchi have been attacked," Mariko replies. "Thing is, you're not part of Mizu, are you? That scarf of yours signifies your true allegiance. Doesn't it, Danny Brock of the Red Scarves?"
"The Red Scarves are allies of Mizu," Danny lies, in accordance with Kaede's orders.
"So, Chika's abusing her position as envoy to the Scarves," Mariko concludes. "She recently journeyed to Shang Tu to meet with them, a trip that wouldn't have been permitted unless Senator Saito approved it."
"Senator?" Ryoichi asks.
"There's a possibility this isn't just the machinations of your fellow Grand Master," Mariko theorises. "If Chika and Akiko are in league with each other, then things are going to get ugly quickly."
"That would be a dark day for the Republic," Ryoichi concludes.
"Unfortunately, yes," Mariko confirms.
"There is just one thing I want to ask," Ryoichi informs.
"Go ahead," Mariko permits.
Ryoichi turns to Danny. "Last time we met, your eyes were silver, yet now they're crimson. Why is that?"
"It is a mark of my high rank," Danny lies.
"High‑ranking Scarves recolour their eyes red?" Mariko asks in disbelief.
"The brighter and more vivid the red, the higher the rank," Danny explains.
"I have to confer with Senators Nishimura and Maki," Mariko explains to Ryoichi. "I'll leave him in your hands. Do with him as you wish."
Mariko departs without another word.
Ryoichi turns to Danny. "You're lucky, Scarf. I see no value in killing you, but don't think I will let you go without consequences. You will be taken deep into the Hokorioka and left to die of thirst, knowing that you are powerless to stop Mokuzai allying with Kinzoku and Tsuchi to take down Mizu before that idiot otter tears the Jade Alliance apart. Which I guess means you're not lucky, but unlucky."
Late in the afternoon, a small aircraft flies over the Hokorioka. One of the few surviving vehicles from Danny's attack on the Mokuzai depot, the plane descends gradually as it crosses the desert, landing smoothly among an unusually flat area. Once the plane is brought to a halt, the side hatch opens, and two guards throw someone wrapped in cloth out onto the hot sand. Before the person can recover, the side hatch is shut, and the plane takes off on its way back to Mokuzaihanto.
After a few minutes of struggle, Danny breaks free of the cloth. Using it to shield himself from the afternoon sun, he locates the hidden transmitter surgically implanted in his left forearm, and triggers the beacon.
Four hours later, with darkness descending and the temperature dropping rapidly, Danny hears the approach of an engine. Emerging from under the cloth, he looks towards the direction the sound is coming from. At first, it's hard to make anything out in the heat haze, but it's not long before he can make out the now‑familiar form of Kaede Himura at the wheel of a tan‑coloured utilitarian off‑road car with no roof.
Kaede parks beside Danny and kills the engine. "Hey there loverboy," she flirts in greeting. "Wanna drink?" she offers, handing a bottle of water to Danny.
"Thank you, mistress." Danny takes the bottle and downs half in one go.
"Did you frame Chika and Xander as I commanded?" Kaede asks.
"Of course, mistress," Danny confirms.
"Did you get the chance to implicate Senator Saito too?"
"I didn't have to: Senator Nakahara made the connection without my help."
"Excellent!" Kaede grins. "Everything's going according to plan! Now, hop in and I'll take you home, where I'll reward you handsomely for your work," she finishes with a seductive smirk.
"Thank you, mistress," Danny replies as he climbs into the car.
Kaede reaches for the ignition, then stops herself. "Oh, nearly forgot: it's time to top you up," she realises, pulling a syringe of crimson liquid from the glovebox. "Hold still."
Danny holds position while Kaede injects the Kage Byōgenkin into his vein.
"That should do for a few more days," Kaede states, returning the now empty syringe to the glovebox. "A quick test though. Who is your mistress?"
"You are," Danny answers without hesitation.
"Damn right." Kaede reaches for the ignition, then stops herself again. "We'll drive back naked," she decides, taking off her tunic and jeans with practiced speed. "Well?" she prompts as she removes her underwear. "Joining me or not?"
"Very well, mistress," Danny obeys, stripping naked a little clumsily.
Kaede fires up the engine and sets off in the direction of Tsuchidokutsu. "Ah," she sighs contentedly once at cruising speed. "I do love the feeling of the wind in my fur. It's so cool and refreshing! Don't you agree?"
"I do, mistress," Danny agrees.
"Y'know, you could disagree with me about some things," Kaede teases. "Oh, wait, you can't!" she cackles. "I love being me right now," she muses. Stop taking advantage of him, Kaede: it's not right.
Kaede suddenly slams on the brakes, almost throwing Danny out of the car as it slews to a halt.
"Something wrong, mistress?" Danny asks.
Kaede takes several moments before responding. "Hm? Oh, no, it's just… Let's get home." Why did I think that? Being me has never bothered me before. So why should it bother me now? I'm just being silly. When we get home, we'll have a session, and… and… erm… hmm. This is a new feeling. Is this what other people call guilt? Why would I feel bad about bringing ecstasy to someone? I'm doing them a service! Aren't I?
"Are you sure nothing's wrong?" Danny asks after another lengthy silence.
Kaede doesn't respond: instead, she simply resumes driving home. I think I'll have a solo session instead.