Magister Negi Magi is owned by Ken Akamatsu and Kodansha Ltd. Tokyo in Japan, and by Funimation and Kodansha USA in the United States, NOT by me.

Other characters are also the property of their respective creators and owners, not me.

Some characters created by kafka'sdragon for his 'Markham Chronicles Negima' story are used here with his permission.

Due to various issues, there may be a bit more than two weeks before the next chapter comes out.

(-)

"I like to think of myself as a nice person. I'm certainly not the cruel or vindictive bitch a few people in the media, with more interest in ratings than in telling the truth, have painted me to be. But looking back on my and Negi's last evening together, I feel like a heartless monster."
–Akira Okochi Springfield, as told to Kazumi Asakura

Mage War

Chapter Twenty-eight: Gathering the Five

(Late May, 2021, Beanstalk Space Elevator, Mahora Skylift Car 3, Uptrip Hour 0)

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Mahora Skylift."

Conversation faded around the cabin as passengers turned towards the dark-haired woman with the cheerful voice. Clad in a blue uniform, Akira pressed down on the microphone's talk button once more.

"This is your Chief Cabin Attendant Akira," she told them. "Assisting me on this trip are Shizuka and Karamaru."

The two robotic attendants bowed to the passengers before moving to their assigned locations.

"We are honored to be serving you on this trip," she continued. "Our trip from Mahora to the Copernicus Space Station will be approximately 72 hours long. Before we can begin however, there is important safety information that everyone must know…"

Years ago, while Akira was still a high school student, Negi Springfield had promoted the space elevator as a practical solution to lift the massive amounts of material needed for terraforming Mars. Many scoffed at the idea, calling it science fiction, a pipe dream and worse, but little more than 10 years later the young man had made the pipe dream reality.

After graduating college, she had worked several years for the government's meteorological agency, but when the ISSDA advertised for cabin attendants she eagerly applied for a position. The training was as intense as an astronaut's, but in the end Akira finally earned the "white wing" she had missed out on during middle school. She had also earned the admiration of certain, former teacher.

On her first trip up to the Copernicus Space Station, one of the cabin's windows was struck by space debris and shattered… (…the 'official' reason for the accident… Negi and a few others suspected but had never managed to conclusively prove sabotage by the Earth First Organization…) Negi had erected a barrier to keep anyone from being sucked out while the compartment was evacuated; meanwhile; guessing correctly how he would react to the emergency; Akira donned an emergency space suit and managed to pull the nearly asphyxiated mage into a life support locker, saving the young man's life.

Negi had grown into an energetic, charismatic and attractive man whose dalliances with those of the female sex made tabloids with the regularity of a pop star.

Despite his asking her out, Akira never imagined that it would lead to a more intimate relationship. After the worldwide backlash against mages forced Negi's resignation as head of the ISSDA, he had proposed. Though initially reluctant, she agreed and they were married on the space station in history's most publicized wedding.

Akira had tried to be the good wife and support her husband, but in the end failed miserably. It came down to a matter of her jealousy, not of other women, but rather his mission.

Turning a barren Mars into a planet capable of supporting the Mundus Magicus' inhabitants was vitally important. So much so that the new bride felt awful for wanting more of her husband's time. Negi wasn't neglectful of her, not entirely; however he still had responsibilities as an advisor to the ISSDA that often took him away. He also had a continuing commitment to his Shinning Wind NGO, and others he occasionally provided assistance to…

Her job chaperoning passengers to and from the space station didn't exactly help the situation either…

It was with a heavy heart that she finally confronted him with the sad truth.

"Why Akira…?" Negi asked as hurt eyes gazed pleadingly at her. "Why must you leave?"

Having practiced this moment over the past few days, she shouldn't have felt so nervous. "It just isn't working out between us," Akira answered, wondering if her voice sounded as calm as it did in front of the mirror. "Between my job and your hopping from one trouble spot to the next, we don't spend very much time together. And when those moments come, somebody's always calling to talk with you about Blue Mars or whatever."

"Blue Mars …" Negi said as a look of disbelief crossed his face. "I thought you supported me on this."

"I do," she replied and sincerely meant it. "Saving a billion or more lives is important Negi … it's just I can't handle being a distant second in my husband's thoughts."

If the woman who had been his wife for the past year slugged him, the young man's expression couldn't have been more surprised. "Akira … I …"

"Don't apologize," she hurriedly told him. "I knew what the situation was when we married. I thought I'd be strong enough, smart enough to adapt and we'd avoid the mistakes of your previous marriages … but I was wrong Negi."

"I'm so, so sorry Akira," he said in a voice that cracked with pain. She desperately wanted to hold him then, but knew her resolve would instantly vanish by giving in to the impulse. As Akira passed Negi the key to what had been their home, he tried to tell her to keep the house but was cut short with "I've rented an apartment near the elevator."

"Keep well," Akira bid as she, with bags in hand, walked out the door for the last time. Her composure held up until the cab pulled away and then, in the words of an American coworker, 'Niagara Falls'.

In the days since, she kept busy with settling into the apartment and new life. That the majority of her friends were also Negi's made for more than a few awkward moments, but Akira would work through it with the same determination that made her the top graduate in the first class of cabin attendants. Thankfully the uniform tag used first rather than last names; being called Miss Springfield over the six day trip might have proved too much.

Having completed the pre-ascent check of the cabin, Akira took her seat and prepared for the initial stage of the trip up the Skylift. Travelling through the earth's atmosphere would be inside of a tube made from a ceramic Satomi Hakase called transparent aluminum. The tube insulated the cabin and tether from the effects of wind, weather and bird-strikes that plagued the aviation industry. Like a bullet train pulling away from a station, the cabin moved and began to accelerate upwards.

Uncharacteristically, a wave of nausea washed over her as the lift continued to climb… she quickly grabbed one of the paper bags from the seat pouch and made use of it for the first time on an Uptrip. Karamaru, one of her robotic assistants, gazed over as Akira finished emptying the remains of breakfast into the bag.

"Are you feeling ill?" Karamaru asked.

"No, I'm not ill," Akira answered. "The sudden motion just upset me for some reason."

"Shizuka and I can cover if need be," the robot offered.

"I should be fine in a short bit," she assured her co-worker, but Akira was worried…

Now was not the time to start falling prey to motion sickness. Much as she hated the idea of taking pills, there were tablets that could treat the condition; perhaps the space station's medical staff could prescribe her some up-top…

(-)

(June 4th, Beijing, China, Tiananmen Square)

Though he was also doing so to honor his parents; both of whom fought in the great struggle against the Chinese Nationalists; the real reason Dr. Hu Li Long was placing a wreath at the Monument to the People's Heroes was something he would never speak of; even to his wife…

On the surface he was every bit the pious Party Member and dutiful; if unimaginative; Minister of the Taiwan Affairs Office everyone believed him to be…

…the reality was something considerably more complex…

At Hu's side; General Nam Feng was going through similar motions of respect in the name of the People's Liberation Army.

Finally finished, the two men who would lead the People's Republic of China delegation to the Taiwan mediation conference in Tokyo turned and began walking across the square which had such an infamous reputation in Western media circles…

"Are you ready to do your duty in Tokyo; Dr. Long?"

Though his true meaning would be lost on the general; Hu still gave Nam the expected answer. "Of course; I have every intention of doing what's best for the People's Republic of China."

Reaching up, General Feng removed his military cap and used a handkerchief to wipe at the sweatband. "Excellent… The Director of State Security is sending that interfering malcontent Lingshen to work as director of security for the PRC delegation at the conference; but as long as you and I are of one purpose; it won't matter what games the Cardinal is playing; the outcome will still be the same."

Nodding in apparent agreement as the cap was put back in its place; Hu remained silently where he was when General Feng turned and began walking towards a limousine that was waiting nearby.

When the car was gone, Hu continued walking until he came to a place marked as a shrine to bravery only through the visual records of what had occurred there…

On June 4th, 1989, a single student carrying a pair of bags had stood alone in the middle of the street in that place; and had thus prevented a column of tanks from joining in on events which were occurring elsewhere in Tiananmen Square…

Dr. Hu Li Long had started down the path to where he was now based on his denouncement of an associate, and other things which had done been done in the wake of events of now more than thirty years past…

Sighing after a quick, silent prayer to that lone student; Hu began walking once more…

As he did so; a quote from the writer Lu Xun, a favorite of Mao Zedong, came to mind…

'Lies written in ink cannot disguise facts written in blood'

Lies had brought him to where he was now; and had placed him in a position where he could at long last atone for the innocent blood which had been spilled as a result…

…he would do so; hopefully to the ultimate benefit of ALL of China; if it was the last thing he did…

(-)

(Taipei, Republic of China)

(Office of the Minister of the Mainland Affairs Council)

"…but Minister Chang! If we start out demanding complete independence; that could derail the negotiations before they even have a chance to get started!"

Though his position on independence of Taiwan and its international status differed with that of Lingling Su; who would be his assistant at the soon to be convened China reunification conference in Tokyo; Shin Chang had to consciously refrain from letting himself become angry at the woman on the other side of his desk… Taiwan's Minister of Culture had not been his first choice for deputy negotiator; but her Blue Party had insisted on representation at the conference; otherwise they would refuse to support anything that came out of it… "I understand how you feel about such things, Minister Su, but would your Blues have us simply lie down and start negotiations from a supine position? No… we will begin with our most absolute demand and work from there… On this my Green Party insists…"

As Lingling Su stood on the far side of his desk fuming, Shin allowed his expression to soften slightly, "…of course we understand it will not end there; that is why I will need your support. We must show a unified front to the mainlanders, or they will simply wait us out, and we will lose everything."

Despite the conciliatory line of thought she had maintained in the past, Su realized that Chang was right… There were some in Taiwan; and not just members of the Green Party; who felt the Blue's would let the PRC trample the ROC into oblivion if it resulted in reunification… That wasn't the case; but appearances sometime trumped facts… If she and Chang didn't approach the negotiations with a unified front; the end result would likely be a war with the mainland, and which party someone supported would be meaningless… everything would be lost… "I… I don't like it… but I understand, Minister Chang… When we get to Tokyo, I will support the proposed starting position for negotiations."

Standing up, Shin reached across his desk and held out a hand.

Taking a step forward, Su reached out and shook the Minister's hand firmly.

(-)

(Moscow, Russian Federation)

("They're acting like my grandchildren…")

As he waited for the time to board the flight to Tokyo, Leonid Kurtzov watched with amusement the antics of his aide and translator… One was sitting at his side; and the other as far across the waiting room as possible… Both were studiously trying… not very well… not to look at the other…

Of course he was already aware of their professional resumes, otherwise they wouldn't have been chosen for their jobs… After the initial awkward meeting in his office, he had also made himself aware of the history between Colonel Victor Ramius and Professor Anya Cocolova…

There was certainly tension there; but he believed it wouldn't interfere with the work they were going to do; otherwise they would have already been replaced…

In any case; it was an old-man's fun to watch two youngsters struggling to learn life-lessons he had already dealt with… "Professor Cocolova? You said you met the Colonel on a train from Vladivostok? Why don't you tell me about that?"

Across the room, Anya looked up at General Kurtzov; at his side Victor was turning a shade of red that was probably quite similar to the one coloring her own face… "Ah… really… that story isn't very interesting…"

Folding up the newspaper he'd been holding, Leonid placed it in his lap and smiled. "I'd like to hear it anyway… Why don't you come closer…? My old-man's ears aren't what they used to be…"

Sighing; Anya got up and reluctantly moved closer to General Kurtzov… …and Victor…

(-)

(Washington DC, Reagan International Airport, United States of America)

Across their table in the Fleet Commander's Club, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Paige Sinclair; head of the American delegation to the negotiations between the two Chinas which were going to occur in Tokyo; watched with concern as Congressman Gerald Prescott nervously fiddled with his wedding ring…

Thanks to recent reductions in the level of public fear about the matter; the Mage Affairs Sub-committee Congressman Prescott chaired had gone into long-term recess. Since he currently had no other committee assignment; the Speaker of the House has tasked him to be her second for the conference in Tokyo.

Of course; being familiar though business and committee connections with several of the other persons who would be at the talks had been an additional consideration… "Is everything okay Gerald? As late as it is; I can still ask the President and the Speaker for someone else if you think it's necessary…"

In a bout of self-consciousness, Gerald let go of the ring and reached out for his drink. "Well… Kathy's been a bit under the weather lately… I asked her if I ought to stay; but she reminded me how important this conference would be and said to go…" though it was filled with worry, a smile went across the table to Paige, "…my wife promised to catch a flight to Tokyo and join me when she's feeling better…"

Nodding, Paige leaned back in her chair. "Well, I hope that happens soon."

Taking a deep breath, Gerald nodded in thanks before looking up at the flight schedule board. "I imagine she'll have plenty of time to join me in Japan anyway!"

Considering what she knew about the intransigence of the two Chinas; Paige had to chuckle with amusement. "It's not a proper thing to make such jokes; but I wouldn't be surprised if they spent a month or more arguing about the shape of the table and the height of the flagpoles before getting down to the serious business of negotiations."

Much to Paige's satisfaction, a genuine smile finally came to Gerald's face. "Well; at least they aren't fighting right now; like they were during Panmunjom and the Paris negotiations… Who knows how long that might last though…"

A feminine voice announcing their flight sounded over the room's speakers, so Paige stood up. "Well then; Congressman Prescott; let's go help make sure China and Taiwan don't start fighting."

(-)

(Tokyo, Japan)

As his wife Madoka continued preparing dinner; Phillip Markham Jr. came in, leaned his cane against the dining area table and sat down.

Finishing up with cutting vegetables for a curry dish, Madoka placed everything in a pot of boiling water before turning to face her husband. "Of course you're going to accept Ayaka's request…"

Like a breakthrough TV drama from the early 2010's where the characters kept getting drawn deeper and deeper into a bad situation they had never anticipated in the beginning; Phillip knew there really wasn't any choice… He had made a decision to help a young girl in the Balkans ages ago; and that decision to 'get involved' had now escalated into involvement in international issues potentially affecting the lives of millions…

Ayaka Yukihiro's arguments concerning the help she felt he could provide had been very persuasive, and interestingly hadn't involved any use of the abilities she knew he possessed…

Perhaps Ayaka would try to talk Hu Li Long and Shin Chang to death, like some said Jimmy Carter did to Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat during Camp David Accord negotiations between Israel and Egypt; and they would resolve their disagreements just to escape and go home… "Well… Ako Izumi once asked about a character in a book who was asked what he would do if he had the chance to kill Adolf Hitler before the man became Chancellor of Germany… The character's answer was; 'I love people; so I would kill the son-of-a-bitch…' If I can help prevent a war; how can I fail to act?"

Pressing against his back as she did so, Madoka leaned down and put her arms around Phillips neck, "…that's my man of action!"

Reaching up, Phillips squeezed Madoka's arm affectionately, "Here's hoping that's as far as it goes; and things don't degenerate into some crazy story like they have a time or three in the past!"

A slamming door spoiled the mood, signaling the return of their children Misa and James, as well as Kele Fallingbrook, visiting for the summer from the Mariposa Pueblo in New Mexico.

Phillip just shook his head as Madoka let go and headed for the foyer to make sure none of the three tracked dirt in like they had the last few times they'd come home in such a rush…

(-)

(Early June, 2021, Beanstalk Space Elevator, Mahora Skylift Car 4, Downtrip Hour 13)

"Well, Miss Springfield, it seems you're pregnant."

Negi had called to say he'd signed and sent in the papers to make their separation official just before the last Uptrip had started; even before the three day climb to Copernicus Station had been completed, everything should have been processed…

In the light of that; all Akira's shocked mind could put together was a deadpan response…

"It's Okochi again; Doctor…"

"Oh…? Well, in any case; I'm going to recommend that you apply for a position with the ground school or support facilities for the time being… As developed as things are here on Copernicus; we aren't really ready to deal with any complications which might arise for someone in your condition…"

Knowing she would be able to do so without any need to worry about her elevator car attendant's license; Akira had nodded and returned to getting ready for the next Downtrip…

Half-way back to Mahora, as; 'Go!' a movie directed by her old classmate Natsumi Murakami played unnoticed on her cabin attendant's entertainment system; Akira wondered when she would be able tell Negi about her condition…

Emotionally… she had expended herself just telling him they needed to break things off…; to tell him now that he had a child…

…it couldn't be done…

…at least; not right away…

…despite the official termination of their marriage; and knowing all the reasons she'd asked for the separation in the first place; Negi would come back; of that there was certainty; but eventually Blue Mars would pull him away again… and all her emotional pain and suffering would return once more from wherever it happened to be lurking…

Leaning back in the cabin attendant's seat; Akira closed her eyes and tried to calm down enough to go to sleep…

…later; after enough time had passed for the emotional scars of their separation to heal; even if he wound up hating her for waiting that long, or found out on his own somehow; she would explain everything to him then…

tsuzuku

Author's Notes:

To note; Akira and Kazumi have both been 'Springfield…' Kazumi back in the late 2000's, and Akira most recently…

Taiwan politics: As noted in chapter twenty-seven; the Blues favor reunification, but on their terms, while the Greens prefer maintaining the status quo if not outright independence.

"…a breakthrough TV drama from the early 2010's…" 'Breaking Bad,' of course.

Panmunjom and the Paris negotiations: During the negotiations to end the fighting; at Panmunjom village on the 38th Parallel during the Korean War; as well as in Paris to end the Vietnam War; time was often spent arguing over minutia or matters not directly related to the intent of the talks; to the detriment of the actual reason for the talks. (This is an over-simplification, but I don't want to spend a few dozen pages explaining the issues related to the Panmunjom and Paris negotiations.)

Next: Of Chefs and Nations