Man, I don't know how ya'll put up with my slow ass. This time I have a good excuse, no really!
My cantankerous veteran ass was off travelling for the holidays after I got done with finals (who's asses got kicked let me tell you).
"But Faust, where did you go?"
Jakarta Indonesia and Albany Australia my dear readers, and lemme tell you...I did some fucking adventurous ass shit. Fucking fun times all around and a great way to end the old year and kick off the new one. Which allow me to go ahead and say I hope you all had holidays just as well spent.
A whole year now I've been out of the Corps and doing my "normal" thing, against all doubt I've been doing good. So let me tell any of my fellow vets or those wondering what life is after the service. You CAN succeed and you CAN find solace, use that grit you gained in the service and go out there and get what you deserve.
I try not to fill this space up with too much, but ya'll been faithful followers and have been here since the beginning too so it makes sense to let a little out and let ya'll know what the good gouge is.
To my guests who review, your words do NOT fall on deaf ears believe me it's just that trying to address you all personally like I address actual users is difficult. Ya'll are probably the biggest contributors towards me going back and trimming the fat so to speak. Why do i do this? So future readers get the best experience I can give, one without plot holes and logic all around.
Except for the Storks...we don't talk about them *cough*. Yeah, I plan on completely unfucking that nightmare.
So before I go into this chapter let me brush everyone up on the latest in changes I've made (nothing TOO extreme no worries).
-Dirrel is now Obama, relax I didn't fuck him up lol. This story is supposed to be a fix/what if scenario. What better way to show the gate's impact than by keeping things current?
-The Japanese Prime Minister is Shinzo Abe, relax this nigga don't even talk much so I didn't fuck him up either.
-The elections are discussed in small quantities (boy are they in for a fucking shocker later on).
-Because I didn't release an Xmas/New Years chapter, the previous two chapters discuss in passing what happened during those holidays back at Alnus. Think you guys will like it.
-Various small fixes (such as how the Marines got training during their three months of workups on how to operate Stingers etc. Harriers dropping bombs in a city? Ah no, that was stupid.)
-The Kurokawa lead up has some fucking basis to it, it doesn't feel forced anymore.
-Befitting the fact that Van Hauser has always been leading a platoon, he's been retconned to a lieutenant. I wasn't infantry and to be but totally honest that shit is alien speak to me. Regardless, doesn't impact the story but it helps my logic train chug on. He's also been changed to coming from a unit fit to have come from Okinawa. Again, doesn't impact plot but helps my logic train
-There's also some familiar faces operating in Falmart now, turns out I dropped the ball over who's primarily in charge of protecting the ambassador. Really shameful, I should've known better. Shit's gonna get interesting with that.
-Grammar, less flowery talking. Fucking Kincaid sounded like a fucking preacher in a few spots, a preacher he is NOT.
Aand that should be it, so let's continue this adventure shall we?
Chapter 24: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
"The bended knee is not a tradition of our corps."
General Alexander A. Vandergrift, USMC
to the Senate Naval Affairs Committee, 5 May 1946
1600 HOURS JADE PALACE, FALMART, SPECIAL REGION
Once the last of the armored trucks had disappeared, Piña sighed as she made her way back to the festivities. Or rather, what was left of them. Many of the guests had left and for good reason. If any evidence of them having discussions with an enemy of the empire had gotten out, they'd all be jailed or worse: killed.
Man, woman, and child alike.
All Piña knew was that once Zorzal was gone, she'd be able to resume talks with Kroger and Sugawara inside the Jade Palace. However long that would take, Zorzal enjoyed listening to himself talk as well as flaunt his authority.
He also enjoyed being absolutely ruthless.
James… watch over me.
"Your highness?"
Piña snapped out of her daze at the sound of Sherry's voice. The young royal picked her dress up slightly as she hurried to keep in step with Piña, looking up at her with a look of concern. "You seem unwell."
"That would be an understatement, Sherry." Piña sighed as her gaze remained fixed on the hill she knew her brother would emerge over. "I am anything but thrilled to hear my 'brother' is on his way here." Her voice had been laced with venom calling that man her brother. They weren't even completely blood related, she was the daughter of a concubine.
Something he made sure to remind her of every chance he got.
"Crown Prince Zorzal. I've never met him, but my father has during his dealings with the Senate." Sherry glanced over at her parents, the two royals conversing with some maids. She paused, looking down at the ground in shame.
"You may speak freely. Your father had nothing positive to say of him, did he?" Piña raised an eyebrow.
"No… he did not."
"Then you know the sort of risks your family faces by being here, what we all face by being here. For all intents and purposes, each and every one of us are potential enemies of the Empire now."
Piña grimaced, it was thought she didn't need to remind herself of.
"Respectfully, your highness it is a risk my family and I are willing to take." By now, the pair had made their way to the gazebo Piña and Aldritch had been occupying earlier the princess raising an eyebrow all the while.
"Is that so?"
"Quite. Your highness, my family has served the people of the Empire for a long time now and have made a name for ourselves in doing so. You know this. Otherwise, you and I would not be having this conversation."
The young girl made her way to one of the railings looking out at the water and landscape beyond.
"The Emperor may pass decrees, but ultimately it is the Senate who pushes them forward. The Senate serves the people, not the emperor. If working with this 'coalition' helps preserve the empire and spare our people from a terrible fate? Then isn't that a risk we should all be willing to take?"
There was a time when Piña believed in her father, a time where her loyalty was unwavering. Had she been hearing Sherry's words prior to the gate opening, she might have even labeled her a traitor. But these were trying times and deep down she knew Sherry was right. There was indeed an end coming and at that end Piña knew very well her father wouldn't be on the throne.
The question was, who would? And what would this mean for her people? The simple thought of it all was enough to make her head spin.
One step at a time, just like James said.
Piña couldn't help but smile. "You're awfully perceptive for your age, that wit will be a valuable asset when you become of age."
Sherry promptly turned around with a grin on her face, she was still a child after all. "I often listen in on my parents as they practice speeches between each other. They also take time out of their days to teach me, my father says a lady of my position needs to learn such skills in order to be suitable for marriage."
She giggled. "Perhaps mister Sugawara will find me suitable."
"Perhaps, when you are of age." Piña rolled her eyes. "I have spent a great deal of time around both him and many of the other people from his world, and they have laws and traditions far different from ours."
Sherry gave a smug look. "Oh? Time well spent with that one warrior in question, no doubt."
"And how does that concern you? Our relationship is one of two leaders with mutual understanding, we both have people to serve." Piña rolled her eyes before shaking her head. "Besides, our positions would never allow it to be anything more."
You're far too clever for your own good, young Sherry.
Sherry raised an eyebrow. "If you say so. I may be young, but I'm not naive. You look at him the same way any woman admires a man, that is a timeless thing—"
Piña folded her arms under her chest. "This is coming from a girl not of age with visions of grandeur involving a man far above her. Even if I did admire James, at least I can do it in such a way that does not immediately give off my feelings."
But I can be just as clever.
Sherry stood there silently and for just a moment Piña swore she could see a frown forming on her face.
"You're smart, but you still have growing to do, miss Tyueli."
Before Sherry could respond, the sounds of hooves and horses neighing began to echo throughout the area.
Zorzal and his entourage had arrived. Piña promptly shot Sherry a concerned look, her fists slowly beginning to clench.
"It would be wise to head back to your parents."
Sherry nodded in agreement before cocking her head to the side. "And what will you do?"
"The only thing I can do, deal with him and hope he leaves as quickly as he arrived."
A task easier said than done...
XXXXXXX
When the call to withdraw all the coalition's forces came out over the net, not everyone was granted the luxury of being able to leave. One of the drones from earlier still lingered in the skies above, its operators being a squad of understandably irate reconnaissance Marines hiding within nearby dense vegetation. They were irate for a number of reasons, chief of which being that they had to stay back in the first place. A position not made any better considering they had been there hours before everyone else and long before the sun had even risen.
The Marines had parked their Humvee inside the vegetation and had sent up one of their short range UAVs on an overwatch pattern, the drone's operator monitoring a screen from the back of the vehicle. Meanwhile, their sniper team had set up a short distance away from the rest of the troops, giving themselves plenty of room to scope out the entire area. Everything up till now had been a relatively boring affair, Zorzal's arrival being a saving grace from the mundane task of playing guardian angel.
A temporary saving grace, as they'd soon find out.
"You got 'em?"
"Yes sir. Five including Zorzal."
"Good."
Some silence.
"So, are we not getting this guy?"
"Not until we get the word."
A pair of groans.
"You're fucking shitting me. Sir, respectfully, why the hell not?"
"Japs said so. Least, that's the word I got."
"Since when did we start answering to them? Jesus fucking christ, let's just kill his buddies and capture him. Fucking simple shit."
"Because we're supposed to kill em with kindness. Word on the street is that Japan doesn't want us having to agitate these guys anymore than we have to. Princess Peach and the round table gang are supposed to be the ones who make em see reason. We gotta be the bigger man, boys."
"Oh, for fucks sake."
One of the Marines, a lieutenant, sighed before leaving his sniper team and making his way back to the bush covered Humvee. He then promptly opened its driver's side door and switched a few channels on its dash mounted radio.
"CP, this is Bandit. Be advised, we have positive ID on crown prince Zorzal. How do you want us to proceed?"
In seconds, a woman's voice promptly responded. "Bandit. This is CP. Solid on your last, wait one."
As the lieutenant waited for Italica's CP to relay the message, one of his NCO's, a sergeant, chuckled from the passenger's seat. "Ooh, sultry."
"Seriously? We've been around females of various makes models and god knows what else and you're excited over one of our own? You stand a better chance of getting lucky with the locals and honestly why would you even bother in the first place?" The lieutenant paused before pointing at the sergeant with an accusatory look. "That's not me giving you any ideas."
The sergeant had a shit eating grin. "No sir, no it's not. Totally not like it hasn't already happened with anyone else."
A pair of lance corporals had been nearby providing rear security, one of them promptly nudging the other and making a pumping motion with his non firing hand in response to this statement.
The lieutenant sighed before rubbing his sleep deprived eyes. "I need a fucking coffee when we get ba—"
"Bandit, this is CP."
The officer snagged one the radio's handsets. "Send it for Bandit."
"You are to continue monitoring and report any developments."
The lieutenant facepalmed, a couple of quiet curses coming from various marines nearby.
"Roger that… Bandit out."
The lieutenant threw the handset at the dashboard. "Fucking politics."
XXXXXXX
"Brother, this is an unexpected surprise. What brings you to us today?"
Piña made her way towards Zorzal and his entourage as they began to dismount their horses, the men accompanying him casting her suspicious looks. At a glance one would think they were a bodyguard drawn from the most loyal and capable of troops. They certainly stood in stark contrast to Zorzal in that unlike their leader, they lacked any of the royal garb or plate. In truth, they were nothing more than a mixture of some of Zorzal's closest friends and hired hands he had accumulated over time. As intimidating as they looked, they nowhere near as skilled as the Imperial Royal Guard. They were, like their leader, nothing more than bullies. A buffer to prevent him from being overwhelmed.
Zorzal had never been a fair fighter after all.
"Unexpected, is it? You know I do enjoy making an entrance." The young prince gave his trademark smirk before slowly looking over what remained of the festivities, his voice slowly beginning to trail off as his smirk twisted into an abject look of displeasure.
"I might have been here sooner had I known there was a gathering in the first place, it would appear I have missed the best of it."
Piña could feel a knot grow in her stomach. Zorzal may not have been a fair fighter, but there was a reason for that. He was arrogant, cocksure, and always privy to anything going on. His lack of honor meant he was quick to exploit a weakness no matter how dirty it was and as a result he had developed a twisted form of cunning all of his own. Someone had spoken to him about what was going on, all he needed to do now was piece everything together.
His suspicions about anything and everything were also a trademark characteristic of his.
Piña steeled her resolve, she would need every ounce of tact and cunning to get through this. "It wasn't much to begin with, just a few friends of mine. Surely the fancies of small talk between women is below you—"
"No feast or banquet involving members of the royal family is above or below me." Zorzal paused before staring directly into Piña's eyes. "Even if those members come from less than appealing stock."
"I appreciate the consideration, brother." Piña was sure to lace the word brother with just enough spite in it.
Zorzal shrugged before smiling. "I do what I can, but regardless. Surely you've saved enough for your dear brother and his comrades? The trip here was not a quick one by any means." He paused before glancing at his entourage. "Right, men?"
A series of chuckles and nods of approval ushered in response as Piña tried her best to keep up her facade of tolerance.
"But of course..."
Zorzal promptly snapped his fingers before adjusting the elaborate scarlet red pelt around the shoulders of his red, golden trimmed armor. "Well, you heard her men. Make yourself at home with whatever and whoever. We'll be here for a while."
Without missing a beat, Zorzal's entourage promptly scattered about the area and made themselves a nuisance. Now alone, Zorzal returned his attention to his clearly annoyed sister.
"Now then, we have much to discuss sister. It's felt like ages since we've had a proper talk."
As the pair began to walk through throughout the area, Piña raised an eyebrow. "Has it? With all the going ons from the war, I've hardly had time to think about it. Surely, you have been just as busy as I."
Zorzal snatched a small glass of wine from a nearby maid's tray before taking a sip and sighing. "Well, a prince does what he must. Having to organize our soldiers' rank and file as well as weed out insurrection from our very capital is a tiring process. These are indeed trying times, are they not?"
Piña's eyes searched around the area for a moment ensuring there were no signs of the previous otherworldly occupants or the more obvious of sympathizers.
"Of that, we can agree on." She paused remembering Zorzal's prior words. "Insurrection?"
"Indeed. There is good word and signs that our foe has agents placed in Sadera as well as sympathizers aiding their movements." Zorzal's face began to twist into the scowl he often had whenever he didn't get his way. Piña hadn't known the Coalition had forces already inside the capital's very streets, indeed there were a great many things they still hadn't told her.
What she did know was that the Empire clearly hadn't any more success finding or fighting them as it did with the forces near Italica or elsewhere. Zorzal's expression was a dead giveaway. Better to play along all the same.
"And have we had any luck with them?"
Zorzal finished his wine and returned it to another maid's tray before putting on his best arrogant smile. "We are making progress. This new foe is tenacious and powerful, but the Empire will endure and succeed as it always has."
Clearly a lie brother. We've already lost, it's just a matter of how much more we have to give away before you, father, or anyone else acknowledge this.
Piña nodded in agreement. "Indeed, we shall."
The pair stopped for a moment as Zorzal adjusted the elaborate hilt for his sword, once he was done he folded his arms as they continued once more."But back to catching up, father has certainly placed much on you and your Rose Order's shoulders during this war. Sending you off to Alnus and your defense of Italica? I'm surprised, not bad for a bunch of pretend soldiers following an equally inexperienced leader."
Piña restrained herself from clenching her fists, Zorzal was doing his best to get her to snap. It wouldn't work though, she had been through far more than her brother could ever know and had learned much through all of it.
She had Aldritch to thank for that.
Piña nodded. "It was a trial by fire we gladly accepted, and father's trust has been rewarded. Grey has done well to train my warriors as well as myself, neither you nor our people will find us wanting." She watched as a pair of her knights kept watch on Zorzal's men, if worse came to worse those two alone could easily dispatch them.
"So it would seem." Zorzal chuckled. "You know there were many including myself who had assumed you were dead, it was a long time before you returned to us. You were originally tasked to go to Alnus after all, our enemy's bastion." He then raised an eyebrow. "Then of course there's Italica to consider, which is now under their control as well. Which of course begs the question, just how did you survive and what have you been up to?"
The princess didn't even have time to drum a response before Zorzal began to pace back and forth. "You know dear sister, there are those who believe you've been in direct contact with the enemy. Wilder claims say you've even walked into their bastions, rode around in their strange methods of transportation and even fought alongside them against local banditry."
Piña immediately retorted. "And you would believe these claims? People who have long spoken out against me for my perceived weaknesses?"
"Well there's no evidence to go against them, our top scouts and truth seekers have been disappearing left and right—"
Piña stomped her foot. "Father believes me. Diabo believes me."
"Diabo simply doesn't care. He's too busy chasing women and trying to undermine my claims to the throne, truly an honorable brother. As for father, he's getting old and indecisive. He cowers in the palace and cares not for action anymore, he believes all we need to do is hold the capital. I've tried to convince many times him to allow me even so much as to summon the Oprichnina-"
"The Oprichnina? Is that necessary?" Piña eyed her brother in disbelief. "Our most ruthless of intelligence gatherers, why? So they can round up everyone and kill them on the slightest of infractions?"
They would die just the same as anyone else. In fact I'd wager they'd give intelligence instead of gather it once the coalition got their hands on them.
"Yes I would, at least I'm willing to take action and do what's necessary to save our rule. The Empire kowtows to nobody. I kowtow to nobody. This is an enemy that must be met with the same resolve we've always shown an enemy that thinks themselves superior. Father himself tried to initiate a scorched earth policy to deny the enemy all the territory between Sadera and Alnus."
Zorzal paused with his same look of displeasure. "One that almost would have worked had the enemy not fortified Italica when they did—"
Piña felt her a knot in her stomach grow, one far worse than what she had felt before. She struggled as she tried to get the words out, hoping she had misheard what Zorzal had said.
"I-Italica? What do you mean?"
Zorzal raised an eyebrow. "Surely you knew, sister? Those bandit raids in the surrounding areas around Alnus were paid off, a promise to pardon them of their transgressions in return for service. We certainly couldn't lose face now could we? Italica was far too important to lose and we hardly had the forces or time necessary to completely occupy it, so it was deemed best to simply raze it to the ground and keep moving back." He paused and clicked his tongue. "Unfortunately, the plan backfired and not a single one of them came back. A shame. Had our enemy not been able to rapidly take and hold territories, it might have succeeded."
We would kill our own people to ensure victory? Have we truly stooped so low?
"Sister? You look like as though you've seen a ghost."
Piña broke free from her haze. "Why did father not tell me of this?"
Zorzal simply shrugged. "Perhaps he didn't deem it necessary, he knows how sentimental you can get. That weakness of yours has no place when victory is on the line."
"Weakness? Victory? We would stoop so low as to hire bandits to terrorize and destroy our own lands?" Piña clenched her fists. "It's no wonder our people have flocked to the enemy as fast as they have."
"Traitors, all of them. Land can be replanted, homes rebuilt and a population can return in time. Honor and dignity cannot, it is a small price to pay."
Piña scoffed. "You talk of honor and dignity yet here we are letting our own people fall victim to wanton killing and the very destruction of their homes."
Zorzal shook his head and sighed. "And this is precisely why father nor I told you of our plans. A woman leading a merry band of pretend soldiers would know nothing of what true war is, what it takes to win. You would do well to learn from my example, sister, or need I remind you of how I handled the rabbit folk? A proud warrior race defeated through strength of arms and cunning."
Piña's face twisted into one of disgust. "You mean lies and manipulation. I know of your pet, Zorzal. You need not remind me of how you would've lost had you not resorted to those tactics. Strength of arms had nothing to do with it—"
"You would do well to watch your tongue!" Zorzal spat as he took a step forward and looked down at his sister with contempt. "Father may have accepted the daughter of a whore as family, but you are my sister only in title. I am not as forgiving as he is, nor do I overlook insults."
He smirked. "Or did you remember what happened the last time you tried to defy me?"
Piña took a step forward herself, glaring up at Zorzal all the while. She would not back down, the time for fear was over. She had long faced it, started to overcome it and she hadn't done it alone.
"And you would do well to watch your own, brother. I am stronger now, more than you know. Neither myself or my 'merry band of pretend soldiers' are as weak as you think."
"Is that so?" Zorzal glared. "Could it be your time around others has spurred this on? Others not from around here?"
"So, now you call me a traitor."
"Perhaps, I know that you don't stop by the palace as often anymore. I know that those long periods of time such as today go unaccounted for and I know that there are rumors. I also know that you've yet to answer my previous questions. So yes, you could say I have my suspicions."
Piña's glare intensified. "You've always been suspicious of everything, what I do with my time is for father to question not you. I am no child in need of babysitting."
"It is my right to know as crown prince. No, you may not be a child anymore but you are definitely in need of a lesson in respect, one I will gladly give to you now or when my time on the throne arrives."
The pair stood silent for a few moments before Zorzal chuckled and took a step back. "But not today, I did not come here to humiliate my sister in front of her 'friends.'"
"But of course, brother. How thoughtful of you."
Coward.
"I have been known to be, yes, from time to time. Regardless, my questions from before still stand—"
"Unhand her this instant!"
Both of the royals promptly paused from their conversation and looked in the direction of this new voice. One of the younger girls from before struggled against the grip of one of Zorzal's men, a strange piece of clothing in her other hand. Meanwhile, two of Piña's knights and the girl's parents rushed towards the commotion. The princess glared at her brother before hiking her dress up and running towards the developing situation, her eyes going wide as she got a better look at what the young girl was holding.
It was one of the Marine's hats.
XXXXXXX
"Son of a bitch! Who the fuck's the dumbass who left his fucking cover behind!?"
Seeing the event beginning to escalate, the recon lieutenant lowered his binoculars and ran back to the Humvee sparing no time in getting back on the radio. Meanwhile, the rest of his men began replacing boonie covers with kevlars as they did one last look over on their weapons.
There was no telling where this would go.
"CP, CP, this is Bandit. Be advised we have a situation developing."
Silence for a few seconds.
"This is CP, say again?"
"We have a situation developing. One of Zorzal's men started heckling one of the civilians. There's a lot of hands on swords right now."
More silence.
"Copy your last. Is Piña nearby? Is she safe?"
The sergeant riding shotgun continued to aim through his carbine's RCO. "She's still good sir, she pried the asshole off that girl. Zorzal's making his way over now as are the rest of his assholes. Whatever's going on is only getting worse, more of Piña's knights just showed up too."
The lieutenant nodded in response before returning his attention back to the radio. "That's an affirm, but things are only getting worse now. Looks like a hell of an argument is starting to break out."
More silence.
"Copy, continue to monitor."
"What if the situation continues to escalate? Do we have permission to assist?"
"Wait one."
More silence, the lieutenant could see his men were getting restless now.
"Bandit, this is CP. That's… a negative. You are ordered to allow Piña's knights to handle the situation on their own."
All of the other Marines nearby began to swear, some even looking at the lieutenant with outright hatred in their eyes. Politics, the bane of every military. Before the lieutenant could even try to hide his disbelief in a response his sergeant spoke up again.
"Fuck. Swords are being drawn."
No sooner had the sergeant said this, he heard the sound of a bolt action rifle being racked. The lieutenant paused to look through his binoculars at the scene. Sure enough, he could see Piña being flanked by her knights, the girl and her parents behind them as the royals stood defiant against Zorzal and his men. Swords were drawn on both sides and Piña was holding the boonie cover.
"Bandit?"
The lieutenant dropped his binoculars once more and returned his attention to the radio. "Bandit is tracking. Be advised, swords have been drawn and both sides are in a standoff."
Silence once more.
"Copy that. Continue to monitor. Under no circumstances are you to—" The operator suddenly paused for a few moments and for just a moment the lieutenant swore he could hear someone yelling in the background. She returned, her voice sounding as though her mood had just improved.
"Disregard, Bandit. You are clear to engage at your discretion if you feel the lives of civilians or Piña is at risk. Under no circumstances are you to target Zorzal."
The sergeant did a fist pump with his non firing hand. "Fuck yeah, fucking General Augustine working his goddamn magic."
The lieutenant nodded with a smirk before returning to the call. "Tango, we're tracking. Bandit out." He then promptly returned the handset before dashing off to his snipers, slowing down as he got closer.
"Alright, you're good. If those assholes start swinging you start dropping 'em till only crown prince faggot is standing. Rah?"
One of the snipers gave a thumbs up, not looking away from his spotter scope. "Rah."
The lieutenant promptly took his binoculars back out and watched the scene continue to play out.
"Come on asshole, please please fucking act out of line."
XXXXXXX
"You should tell your lackeys to put their swords away, brother. They might hurt themselves and over absolutely nothing, no less."
"This is an awfully big reaction for a mere misunderstanding, sister."
"Misunderstanding? There's no misunderstanding here. Your lackey attacked one of my guests and for what? A hat?"
Zorzal eyed the boonie cover in Piña's hand before shifting his gaze to her. "A hat with a pattern that looks remarkably similar to the garb worn by our enemy, if the rumors are true."
Piña scoffed "So, we are taking stocks in rumors. Have you even seen our enemy with your own eyes before?"
"It all seems very convenient. You disappear for long periods of time, slinking and sliding around like you have something to hide. Then, you host dinner parties without informing anyone and now suddenly strange hats start popping up in your guests possession?" Zorzal threw his hands up in disbelief. "Forgive my suspicions!"
"You're forgiven. Regardless, she told you it was from a travelling merchant. You want to ask where it came from, go ask him. Even if it was from the enemy it means nothing here, it's a mere piece of clothing and nothing more—"
"A mere piece of clothing? If that hat truly belongs to the enemy, she shames us all by wearing their colors. Of that you cannot argue."
"She's young and foolish! If it was a transgression, it would have been a minor one at best. You are the one shaming us all by sending your dogs on those weaker than you. What sort of self respecting citizen would ever secure their loyalty with a tyrant? It's no wonder it's taken so long for you to secure the throne, though I doubt anyone is complaining over that—"
"I am the crown prince! It is my right to succeed father! You are the daughter of a whore who has no claim on anything! You are a leech who feeds off the status being in the royal family provides! It is you who should feel ashamed!"
Piña stood there silent for a few moments, her knights unflinching in keeping a tight perimeter around her. She took a step forward, her eyes boring into her brother's with a burning hatred.
"Your words fall on empty ears. I have braved much during these past months. You may call me a shameful, you may call me the daughter of a whore, you may say whatever you want. Actions speak louder than words and I have seen very little contribution on your part towards our actions in the war. Even now, my actions speak volumes. I am not afraid of you and I care not for what you have to say. I will gladly go before father and prove my innocence. Take your misconceptions and go back to screwing your pet and cowering in the palace."
Zorzal snarled and almost drew his blade before Piña's knights stepped forward, placing themselves between the two royals. The prince eyed them both with fury.
"You would stand against me?!"
One of the knights responded with a stone cold expression. "Our loyalty is to Piña, the Emperor and our people. Not you."
"Beefeater, Panache, that's enough. We've already seen firsthand how my own brother would attempt to clash steel with me. Surely father will enjoy hearing of this." Piña walked forward, parting the two knights. "If you leave now, I might just forget about all this when I approach father."
Zorzal's henchmen eyed him and the three women with hesitant eyes before scoffing. "Fine. You win this little battle, but mark my words." He pointed an accusing finger at his sister. "I will uncover whatever it is you have been plotting and when I do, you will regret your actions today and ever being born at all."
"We shall see, brother."
With that, Zorzal whistled and signaled for his men to make to their horses. Once they were mounted he gave one last hate filled glance at Piña before leading his men off and over the same hill they had came over.
"Your highness? Are you okay?"
Piña nodded at one of the knights before looking at the young girl and her parents. "Yes, but even more so knowing our subjects are as well."
The distraught family merely bowed before making their way back towards everyone else, leaving the princess to eye the hat with exhausted eyes. She examined it for a few moments, gently running a finger across the black eagle globe and anchor with a smile.
You were right, James. I do have the courage in me. I can't wait to tell you about this. I know you'll be proud.
"Princess Piña?" One of the knights had a worried face as she put an armored hand on Piña's shoulder.
The princess snapped out of her daydreaming before giving a sigh. "Sorry, I'm quite exhausted. Perhaps it is time for a nap. I still need to think of what I'll tell my father."
"As you wish," they bowed. "Let us escort you back."
With that, the group made their way back to the palace.
XXXXXXX
"Well, that's that."
"Shit, ole girls got some fire in her. Sent big brother packing like a pussy, that's for sure."
"Man I just wanted to fucking shoot one of the bastards."
The recon lieutenant rolled his eyes as his men began to jaw jammer, making his way back to the Humvee and fussing with the radio once more.
"CP, this is Bandit. Zorzal has left the palace; his sister scared him off."
"Say again?"
"His sister scared him off. He wussed out."
The usual silence for a few moments.
"Copy that. You're clear to SP back to Italica."
All of the Marines nearby began to breath sighs of relief as they began packing up their gear.
"Tango CP. Bandit out."
The lieutenant promptly returned the handset before spinning his hand in a signal. "Alright, we're fucking outta here." He paused and looked up at the still circling drone above. "And try not to fucking crash the UAV this time."
XXXXXXX
1700 HOURS, CAMP ALNUS, AUGUSTINE'S OFFICE
"Unbelievable. Un-fucking-believable."
Augustine's face began to turn red as he thought back to what had transpired in the CP, a less than amused Kane watching from in front of his desk.
"So help me understand this. Zorzal the damn near second in command shows up unannounced to the Jade Palace, and we're just not allowed to move in and capture? We have to pack our shit up and do what amounts to running away? Jesus Christ, let's just fucking roll out the red carpet for the insurgency back home while we're at it! 'Don't agitate them,' the fuck kind of bull shit is that? The fuck are they gonna do? Throw spears at us? Play harps? For fucks sake Zorzal was driven off by his teenage sister."
"Sir, it wasn't his call to make. General Hazama is under an immense amount of pressure from back home. It's his politicians, not him. Not that much different from what we went through during our deployments."
Augustine folded his hands on the top of his desk. "No, it's not even close. When we needed to snag someone who was in the enemy chain of command, we did. We sent it up the proper channels, got the clearance and did what we had to do. This asshole waltzed in and there was nothing stopping us from grabbing him. There's no internet here, no media coverage. These assholes have to use messengers on horseback to deliver news."
Kane folded his arms. "Sir, perhaps they're just trying to prevent Emperor Molt from doing anything more drastic. The man was willing to kill off his own people and destroy his own lands to keep anything of worth from us. He's clearly unhinged. At least we know where Zorzal gets it from."
"And Molt! We have special forces teams in the capital, just monitoring. There's nothing stopping us from going in there and getting him either, cut off the head of the snake. We could have this campaign over in no time, Kane, and you know it. It's not a matter of how, but when, and truth be told. I'm getting sick and tired of trying to figure out when 'when' is."
Kane stood there for a few moments. As stubborn as Augustine was there, was a measure of reason to his words and the colonel knew it.
"The longer we sit around twiddling our thumbs, the more time we waste. The world outside is still turning and we need to have our eyes out there just as much if not more than we need them in here. See the charm of this place? That otherworldly one? That secondary to me Kane, we need to get the assholes responsible for Ginza, help establish a new governing body sympathetic to both us and the Japanese and get these people towards potentially becoming members of modern society."
The general got up and made his way to the window, gazing out at the base beyond.
"Evidently, the powers that be find our mission here so important that they deemed it necessary to send not only A-10s, but goddamn F-35s too. The A-10s I understand, those bastards are having a fucking field day with anything and everything that gives us a bad look here. But god damn F-35s? Fifth generation stealth fighters that aren't even officially in service yet? 'Combat data.' Combat data for what? How to kill shit that flies even better? Dropping laser guided ordnance on ground targets? GPS ain't gonna work here."
Augustine eyed a box of Cuban cigars on his desk. He was in need of one after the argument he had with Hazama.
"The sooner we get this done, the better. That's all."
Kane nodded. "I agree wholeheartedly, sir."
"Indeed, so." Augustine returned to his seat. "You said you had some good news for me?"
Kane began flipping through a large notebook. "Yes sir. First is a matter of the Marines. Company commander have been sending up reports. Morale is very high across the board and troop performance remains consistent."
Augustine rolled his eyes. "Well, hell, beating the dog shit out of assholes who think slavery and genocide is fun? Being treated like goddamn heroes from a fantasy story? Sounds like a good gig to any enlisted."
Trying to score with the locals and not get caught too no doubt. Sneaky bastards, see what happens if someone fucks up, I'll make you all your asses get put on the burner.
Kane smirked "Seems that way sir, also we now have two very important individuals in our care. One just so happens to be a King Duran, evidently he rules over Elbe and isn't all too happy with the Empire sending him and his men to the slaughter at Alnus. He's been cooperative thus far."
"Hot damn! That's what I'm talkin about Kane!" Augustine clapped his hands. "Out-fucking-standing! Where is he now?"
"Being treated at the BAS. He's old but he's a tough son of a bitch."
"As he should be. Can't keep old war dogs like us down."
"Yes sir. The other is a Yao Ha Dushi." Kane, flipped a page. "She's a dark elf that the Jade Palace convoy picked up enroute to Italica."
Augustine raised an eyebrow "Alright?"
"Sir, she claims to know where the dragon is."
The older officer almost lept from his seat. "And where is it?"
"Elbe, sir. That's where her tribe hails from."
"Right, alright. Good! Now we're making progress! This is what I'm talking about Kane! Where is she now?"
"Italica, sir. She's been hanging around the tankers quite a fair deal. She's hoping they're gonna be the ones who'll save her tribe. They are the 'dragon fighters' after all."
Augustine rolled his eyes and chuckled. "Fucking rockstars. Alright, this is good news. See to getting in touch with some of the unit commanders including our flyboys. We've got some planning to do."
Kane raised an eyebrow. "And what about General Hazama?"
"He may have some shitty leadership, but we'll see him through. I'll talk to him personally."
"Very well, sir."
"Anything else?"
"No sir."
"Right then, you're dismissed."
Kane went to the position of attention, Augustine merely nodding. "Dismissed."
"Good afternoon sir."
As Kane made his way to the door, Augustine stopped him. "Oh and Kane? Try to talk to him, have him see things our way."
"I'll do what I can, sir."
With that, the colonel left Augustine alone with his thoughts. The old officer sat silent for a moment before looking at a map posted on his wall, a series of red X's being where the dragon had been spotted.
"Oh, your ass is grass. Maybe this time those 'Lightning Boys' will see the job through to the end."