Bubblegum Crisis Post 2040 Fanfic Series

Bubblegum Crisis Post 2040 Files

Chapter 10: Role of a Lifetime

by P. Kristen Enos (bgcpost2040@aol.com)

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A Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 English Dub Version Fanfic. All rights belong to AIC, ADV Films and the other creative powers that be. I just want credit for writing the story. Contains spoilers! Rated PG13. Yuri warning! Nothing in here should be a shock if you've watched the episodes and paid attention. All I'm doing is filling in the gaps with my own interpretation of events! Special thanks to egret for betaing!

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The dignified and elderly Jae-Hong Chang stared by the window of his study and stared out at the luxurious flower garden at the heart of the family compound. It was such a beautiful sight for such a sad day.

A soft tapping at the thick oak door signaled that his appointment was here.

"Enter," he commanded as he took his place at one of the two chairs set up before the fireplace.

The door swung open to reveal the large, imposing presence of Kou, a personal bodyguard and assistant to the Chang Family for over twenty years. Dressed in the black business suit with the white armband, he stepped aside to let the woman he escorted enter.

Reika walked in, dressed in a black dress with the white armband. She bowed and said, "You wished to see me, Grandpa?"

The older man motioned for her to sit in the other chair as he sadly took in the stress and strain that marred her beauty. "How are you doing, child?"

"The funeral helped. But I will always miss them," she answered softly, clearly struggling to keep from breaking down into tears once again.

"That is to be expected and nothing to be ashamed about," he declared, trying to fight back his own tears at the loss of his remaining child. "However, as extremely cold-hearted as this may seem, there are some urgent matters I must discuss with you."

Reika looked at him expectantly and waited for him to continue. Her resigned expression showed that she was not at all surprised at the timing or purpose of the meeting.

"Your father's passing has left our family empire in a vulnerable state such we have not experienced in over four hundred years. Part of our success is that we've always had a smooth and quick succession of strong and respected leadership. The other part is that we've been a formidable presence due our loyalty and commitment to each other and our legacy. As you know, we do not now have a leader who can fulfill publicly and privately both parts."

"What about Sho?" Reika asked.

Her grandfather took a deep breath and stroked his white mustache for a moment. "I know your father had high hopes for grooming Yamada as the next successor. But the fact is that we've not had a chance to test his skill or loyalty in the matter."

"Loyalty?" she repeated, mildly alarmed by his choice of words.

He looked at her directly and stated, "We have not yet received confirmation that your parents' deaths were indeed an accident."

Reika's eyes widened in surprised. "But the police already closed their investigation as conclusive."

"It is also part of our legacy that we never believe someone else's truths until we have confirmed them for ourselves. We're having our own resources investigating the matter and will hopefully provide confirmation one way or the other by the end of the week."

"All right, then let's say it's proven to be a murder set up, why would we question Sho's loyalty to our family because of it?" she persisted.

"Yamada may have passed our initial background check on him but there was one glaring detail which stood out: he is currently a scientist working on a top secret project for Genom Corporation. We were willing to overlook the detail at the time because we thought it was to our advantage that he proved to be a man who could keep secrets when necessary. Now, it may have cost us." The elder Chang took a breath and added, "It was brought to our attention that the truck which hit your parents limousine belonged to a subsidiary company to Genom. It may be an extreme coincidence but that is why we are continuing with our own investigation. We have not yet ruled out the possibility that he could have had something to do with the staging of the accident to accelerate his personal successorship to our empire."

Reika stood and shook her head as she began to pace. "This makes no sense with the Sho I know. I admit I don't know him that well; but I do trust Irene's judgment in people. She wouldn't associate with much less want to marry such a character."

"Child, love can blind even the best of judgments," he pointed out sadly. "And I am honestly hoping that he is not associated. But in our world, betrayal is a common risk. Though your father probably never told you, the death of your Uncle Ken was not an accident. He was secretly drugged so he would have that skiing accident. We eventually uncovered the murder plot and brought his killers to our own form of justice. To be a leader of the Hou Bang Clan risks a short lifespan. I am only this old because I am far more suspicious than most."

She paused and looked at him. "So is that why you wished to talk to me? To ready myself as the successor should he prove guilty?"

"No, actually, I am asking you to take over successorship now, regardless of the outcome of our investigation. I trust in your ability and loyalty the most of all of our options. If you so choose down the road, you may eventually groom Sho to take over permanently after giving him a suitable trial period. But your father was in the middle of negotiations for some very crucial deals that are in jeopardy with his departure. Also, some of our strongest allies are waiting to see how we're going to handle this change in leadership. We need to secure their continued confidence as soon as possible to insure there are no unnecessary losses to our prestige and power. I have been able to step in and buy some time during this transition period, but the longer we wait on establishing our next leader, the more our empire is jeopardized. And you are our best option for the smoothest and quickest transition."

Reika didn't say anything as she stared at the fireplace. Her mind was racing with all of the information she had just absorbed.

"Child," her grandfather began softly, "You know I love you and would not ask this if I did not feel it was necessary in the support of our family legacy. And you know how much your father believed and supported the Clan. Do not let his efforts go to waste. Kou and I will be there to guide you when necessary. It is the one bittersweet positive part of this whole mess is that Kou was not in the accident because he had been following you instead of taking his normal place at your father's side." He gave an acknowledge nod to the man who stood patiently by the closed door of the room.

Reika asked, "Does Irene know anything about this investigation into either the accident or Sho?"

"No, I thought to spare her until we had something conclusive. As you know, she's already agreed to postpone the wedding so there is no issue there."

"Then I'll do it. I'll take over the leadership of the Hou Bang Clan," she said softly, still staring at the flickering flames. "On the condition that you drop the investigation, especially into Sho. Let it remain an accident. No good will come out of researching it further."

He widened his eyes in surprise and asked, "You have that much faith in Sho?"

"I have that much faith in Irene," she answered, looking at him directly. "I will do and be everything you need to carry on our family legacy. If Sho really had the intention of wanting to secure an accelerated successorship for himself, then that opportunity goes away if me and my own children carry on the legacy blood line... And I won't risk the possibility of a future where Irene would have to mourn her own children. I am willing to give up everything to insure her happiness is untouched."

The elder Chang said nothing as he studied his granddaughter's face carefully.

"Grandpa, if you designate me as the new leader, then you must have faith in my instinct and judgment, and no time is better to start than now," she stated firmly.

He smiled slightly but the pride in his eyes was evident. "Very well. I will give the order to close the matter and no one else needs to be involved."

She bowed and said, "Thank you, Grandpa. Is there anything else you wish to discuss for now?"

"No. Kou and I will bring you up to speed tomorrow morning on everything that is happening so you may continue your father's work next week. In the meantime, I recommend that you settle your personal matters as quickly as possible. Knowing your father's schedule as well as the extra damage-control which needs to be done, you will probably not have significant personal time for another two months at least."

"Yes, Sir. If you'll excuse me, I have some phone calls to make," she said with an additional bow. Then she turned to leave, giving an acknowledged nod to Kou, who returned it with a bow of significant depth.

When the two men were left alone, the older man looked at the Hou Bang Clan loyalist and asked, "So do you feel she will succeed in what we've asked of her?"

"I have seen her act, sir," he admitted, "And she can be quite believable."

"Which is fine as long as no one calls her bluff," he commented softly as he stared at the ebony tiger ring on his hand.

-- End Chapter 10 --