Debt of Honor
Chapter 3
Revenge
Kimura smiled demurely at the man sitting behind the large oak desk. He looked around the room and again thought that it seemed a lot smaller than he thought it would be.
The room was often referred to as the oval office, an office that was circular in shape and housed the most powerful man in the world. What surprised people the most about the oval office when they saw it for the first time was its size, it was no bigger than an office for a middle- management type executive.
The President of the United States quickly read the document put before him. He looked up at the three men from the CIA and Kimura.
"You are positive that this is real?" He asked them. He received nodded heads in return. The President let out a breath and sank back into his chair. "And what should we do about it?"
"Mr. President," the DCI (Director of Central Intelligence) started. "I believe that it would be best for you to listen to the taped recording as well."
The DO sat the tape recorder on the desk and hit play. The conversation lasted only a few minutes, but it was enough for the President to be worked into a fury.
"Those sonsofbitches!" He yelled furiously, surprising the men in the room. When he spoke next, his voice was tight, with barely concealed fury. "I'm going to have a call put through to the Chinese Premier."
The DO, Phillip Parker III, spoke up. "Sir, I believe it would be best if you didn't do that." The President looked at him with impatience. "I mean, the Chinese are going to outright deny this anyway, and if you were to call now, it may increase the speed with which their doing things. Right now, we have a very limited amount of time to think this through, and if the Chinese were to speed their operation up, than we may be powerless to stop them."
The President looked at him with anger for a moment, but then his features softened.
"You may be right, but I am not going to sit by and watch as they blow President Lee away. The United States may have a 'One China' policy, but that doesn't mean we don't support the democracy part of it. We've still got the Taiwanese Relations Act of 1979. If Taiwan is attacked, we can state that such a thing represents a threat to peace in the Western Pacific area. If the situation arises, I will declare all relations with the People's Republic put on hold."
"I believe," Earl Murray, the DI, began, "that it would be best if we just warned President Lee of this, and then offer to put United States forces in between the two countries and help create a peaceful atmosphere."
The President looked thoughtful for a moment and then smiled. "You always were good at coming up with a peaceful solution Earl."
"Thank you Mr. President."
The President turned and regarded the DCI. "Do you believe that the presence of American ships would keep the Chinese at bay?"
"I would believe that it would give them pause sir, but I'm not entirely sure that it would stop them," the DCI answered. "I'm not too sure what sort of American ships we have that are close enough to the two China's to stop the assassination."
"Well, that's something we can always find out," the President said. He picked up his phone and dialed a number. "Get me the pentagon." There was silence for a few moments. "Hello Chuck, I was wondering if you happened to know just what sort of forces we have that we can put between Taiwan and China." There was a slight pause. "Ok, thanks Chuck."
The President set the phone back into its cradle. "We've got the aircraft carrier Nimitz and it's support ships, and the carrier Independence and its support ships low in the Pacific. They could be moved to the Asian countries in as little as a week."
Parker thought that over. "That would leave us with about three days before the assassination is to be carried out. Do you think that if Lee allows us to put some American protection on him, that we could put a small Special Forces unit on the ship to be dropped off on Taiwan?"
"Yes," the President nodded. "But I will have to get the Secretary of the Army's approval before such actions, as well as President Lee's."
The DCI nodded his head towards Kimura. "What about him? Are you sure we can let him go off on his own?"
"No," the President shook his head. "But Phillip has said that he will put a protective detail around him, and to ensure he doesn't try and run off."
Kimura looked a little pale and he used considerable effort to keep his body upright.
"If you gentlemen will excuse me, I need to place a few calls," the President said, ending the meeting.
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The carrier Independence was situated on the equator. Temperatures were reaching one hundred degrees and showed no signs of dropping. The sailors and officers aboard were making use of the ship's enormous deck size to do some activities that they had been forced to put on hold as they moved south from the coastal waters of northern Russia. There was a game of football and soccer being played. The deck was large, about two hundred yards. Any sailor that knocked or threw the ball over the edge was forced into what is normally referred to as a sailor shower. The sailor is thrown off the edge of the ship and into the waters below, where he is forced to retrieve the previously lost ball.
Aircraft carriers are routinely forward deployed around the world, engaging in joint (U.S. Navy, Marines, Army and Air Force) and combined (with other allied nations) exercises. These exercises hone our own combat skills as well as providing valuable experience in operating with other forces. While deployed, aircraft carriers operate in international waters providing a reassuring presence to our allies and a warning to potential enemies. This presence can be quickly increased or withdrawn as the situation dictates. Should the situation require it, the aircraft carrier and air wing team are ready on arrival to accomplish whatever mission is given, from unobtrusive surveillance to devastating strikes and anything in between. Although aircraft carriers are routinely deployed near traditional areas of potential conflict, the aircraft carrier can move quickly to another area of the world should a crisis erupt, and be ready to operate immediately.
At the moment, the world was in a sense of peace, so the sailors aboard could relax and enjoy the weather. That did not mean the ships were unprotected, most aircraft carriers can house thousands of Navy personnel.
The Admiral of Independence was Geoff Lowell, a career sailor. He was already past sixty, but in good physical shape. He was broad shouldered, although they were beginning to show signs of muscle contraction. He had a handsome face, and there was an indication of growing jowls around his mouth.
Admiral Lowell had first joined the Navy during World War II and had never left. He was a career navy man, and was beginning to accept that Admiral was as far as he would be able to go in his career.
He frowned; he was inside his mess and was staring at some of the maps that adorned the walls. Independence was supposed to be heading towards the Atlantic. At the moment they were on the wrong side of South America and it would take at least a week to arrive at the prearranged location.
The frown was still on his face when his executive officer came into his quarters.
"We've got a message coming in Admiral."
Geoff got to his feet and followed his XO. Independence was a large ship, and it took them twelve minutes to reach the bridge.
"Any idea where this message is coming from Porter?" Admiral Lowell asked.
"No sir," the XO replied. "It's likely to be coming from the States considering how long it is."
Geoff grabbed the intercept and read it.
1350 hours, 17 October. Independence is ordered to move from current location to the north Pacific at earliest possible time. Will be joined by Nimitz at later date, more orders will follow. VOP.
"What the hell is VOP?" the Xo asked.
"It means 'Verbal Order of the President'," Geoff answered automatically. He smiled to himself. The last time his orders had been changed was when they were ordered to go to the Gulf, and that had been because some crazy Iraqi leader had decided to invade Kuwait. Something must be happening over in Asia.
"Do you have any idea what this is about Admiral?" the radioman asked.
"No, but I guess the troops are going to have to forget about their leave time in Peru."
Admiral Lowell turned to his XO.
"Have a message prepared to be sent," he ordered. "Message received, and acknowledged. Will begin execution of orders at present time, and requires specific location from which we will dock."
Lowell thanked his XO and the radioman, and returned to his quarters. He sat on his bunk and a smile lit his face. The commander of Nimitz was an old friend of his. The United States never sent two aircraft carriers at the same location unless the situation demanded it, and that meant that they would at least be seeing some combat in one form or another.
He went to his cabinet and removed his khaki trunks. He took out his Navy blues and laid them on the bed. Maybe he would see a little more action before he was forced to retire.
===============
"So what was your impression of the President?" Phillip Sheridan Parker IV asked.
Phillip was a regular army soldier. He had attended Norwich, not West Point, so he was acquainted with armor, not infantry. He had earned his majority during the Gulf War, when he commanded a battalion in Task Force Bengal with the Saudi's. He had been twenty-seven when he got his leaf. Five years later he was sure that he was on the five-percent list for lieutenant colonel.
At the moment Phil was sitting inside his father's living room. Being a retired General and a high ranking person in the CIA allowed you to have a few benefits. But Phil's father seemed to disregard that fact.
His father's house was quite small, and having two extra people in the house was nearly unbearable. After Kimura's impromptu meeting with the President of the United States, Kimura had been turned over to Phil for the immediate future. Phil was still on leave from the army, but he knew that he would have been called back for duty if it weren't for his present duty to watch Kimura.
"Quite scary, I wasn't sure if I was either going to faint or piss my pants," Kimura answered.
Phillip laughed. "Well, I wouldn't have expected that sort of reaction. So what do you want to do now, most people would want to go see the Washington Monument."
"Actually, what I would like to do is go back to Japan," Kimura said.
"You know we can't do that," Phil said sternly. "If we went back to Japan we would have the Yakuza and the Chinese breathing down our necks."
Kimura didn't reply, he just looked down at the ground.
"Why do you want to go back to Japan anyway?"
Kimura spoke so softly that Phil almost didn't hear him.
"I have to."
"What the hell are you talking about? The only thing that would come from you going to Japan would be your death and probably a hell of a lot of Yakuza."
"I must return," Kimura said with desperation in his voice. Then everything spilled out, everything that had happened with the Oyabun and his daughter.
"If I don't return he may kill her."
"Jesus! Why the hell didn't you tell me earlier?" Parker asked furious.
Kimura looked at him in surprise when Phillip got to his feet.
"What are you doing?"
Parker ignored him and walked to a nearby phone. He picked up the receiver and dialed a number.
"I want to know when the next flight to Tokyo leaves," Parker said.
Kimura got out of the chair. "Are you serious Phillip?"
"1700 hours? Thank you," he said and hung up. "Get your coat, were leaving."
Kimura nodded dumbly and grabbed his coat. He didn't have any idea what he would do once he got there, but Phillip seemed to know.
Phil grabbed a pad and wrote a quick note down. He ripped the paper from the pad and put the note on the table and grabbed his coat. He turned to Kimura.
"I may be a stupid regular army major, but I do know when to let my instincts take over, and right now my guts telling me that going to Japan is the right thing to do, and screw everyone else. Not many people may understand why I do the things I do, and I can take that. But what I can't take is a person criticizing me when I do something that ends up working out. So if you think I'm planning on going to Japan and not putting this Yakuza shit in jail, than your wrong."
Kimura didn't reply because he was having trouble fighting the tears that threatened to escape his eyes.
===============
"The assassination will be carried out in one week. I have received word from Japan that the team is on their way to Taiwan," Zhisheng told the assembled group of men. No one replied. "I have also consulted with Wei Liang and he has told me that the PLA has its forces ready to invade Taiwan and take Taipei on a moments notice."
Zhisheng took note of Jingshu's uneasiness. "What is wrong Jingshu?"
Jingshu got unsteadily to his feet. "Comrades, as you know, I am the Transportation Minister and am also in charge of the Treasury. Yesterday on my annual report I received some very troubling news. The report I received described in detail how our economy's faulting. If the report I received is to be believed, then we are out of money."
"What!?" Liang scoffed. "How can a country be out of money?"
"By dwindling there funds into their military and nothing else," Jingshu said to Wei. He turned to the others. "Comrades, all of our revenue is gone. The harvest was poor and unemployment is up. The Americans are finding ways to get out of contracts and the rest of the world seems to be moving their business to Taiwan."
"Who gave you this report?" Renyang asked.
"It was given to me by my staff," Jingshu answered sharply. "And I will not have anyone in this room try and take their anger out on them. We have put ourselves into this hole because of poor management. Sixty-five percent of our revenue from last year went into the army. No country in the world can do this for very long without finally coming to the point where they have used up their funds, and we have been doing it for decades."
When Renyang spoke, his voice was tight and his eyes burned with fury.
"Jingshu, you will consider yourself relieved from your position. Get out."
Jingshu reared back as if struck and then collected his papers and left the room in a stunned state.
Renyang turned back to the group. "I want this operation against Taiwan to be completed and damn the consequences. If it fails, then I will put the entire army onto Taiwan's shores."
There was no reply from any of the Politburo members.
"Meeting adjourned," Renyang said and left the room.
===============
Ranma watched as his father staggered into the room. He felt a wave of relief flash through him.
"Jeez pop, I would think you'd have learned to duck by now," Ranma said conversationally.
"Watch your tongue boy!" Genma said sharply. "Or am I going to have to teach you a lesson."
"I'd like to see you teach me a lesson when you're on those crutches pop," Ranma said and laughed when Genma swung at him.
"Ranma," Nodoka said, gently but firmly, "stop teasing your father."
The exchange went unnoticed by Akane, who was watching Akari and Ryoga. She had been hoping to talk to Akari alone but ever since they had gotten to the house, she had never left Ryoga's side. Akane was going to run out of chances for the night since everyone else was coming over for a party. Before she could get the chance, Ishii asked if he could talk to the four returnees for a moment.
Ishii led them down the hall and into the guestroom. He motioned for them to sit down but neglected to do so himself.
"I wanted to be the one to tell you guys before any of the others could say anything."
"What is it?" Ryoga asked, a little fear creeping into his voice.
"After you guys took off through the woods at Jusenkyo, Phillip went and grabbed Seiji and brought him into the guide's hut. Seiji was very badly injured and there wasn't anything we could do and he wouldn't have survived the trip through the woods," Ishii said.
Akari grabbed Ryoga's hand and Akane did the same with Ranma.
"Seiji told me and Phillip to leave him behind. He knew that if we took him that he would slow us down. Phillip stayed and talked to him after me and Kimura went out of the window. Phillip had given him his grenade and then followed us. After we went about twenty yards, we heard the grenade go off. Seiji had killed himself and the other soldiers so we could get ourselves out of there," Ishii's voice broke and tears started in his eyes.
Akari started crying and Ryoga pulled her to his chest. Ranma did the same with Akane.
Ishii rubbed furiously at his eyes as his tears flowed. He sank down to his knees and let out a sob.
Ranma and Ryoga looked at each other and a look of sadness was mirrored on their faces.
"He told Phillip that that was the way he wanted to go out, taking as many of those godless bastards with him."
Akari struggled from Ryoga's grasp and crawled over to Ishii and hugged him.
"Is Phillip at least okay?" Akari asked as a sob escaped her throat.
Ishii nodded and returned Akari's hug. "He went to go tell his father about what happened to my father."
"Father?" Ranma asked, confused.
Akane sat up and looked at Ishii. "Did you just say father Ishii?"
Ishii looked a little uncomfortable and removed his arms from around Akari.
"Yes, I apologize for not telling any of you about it, but Seiji and I decided that it would be best if you didn't know."
Akane joined Akari in hugging Ishii.
Ranma and Ryoga looked at each other. Ranma shrugged and Ryoga nodded. They got to their feet and lifted Ishii, Akane and Akari to their feet and joined in the group hug.
Once they had parted Ishii looked at everyone.
"I know that Seiji really liked all of you, and that he would want you to be happy. That is why I'm going to do everything I can to make sure you four live in peace. It's what Seiji would have wanted."
Ranma left the room and returned quickly with one of the sake bottles and some glasses from the party that was being set up. He handed out the glasses and then filled them with the sake. He raised his glass for a toast.
"To Seiji Inafune," he began, "He may have been a little strange, but he was one hell of a man!"
And that was something they could all drink to.
===============
Kimura watched with utter disbelief on his face when Phillip came around into the airport pick-up and drop-off zone at the wheels of a jeep. Phil was wearing a big grin and motioned for Kimura to hop in.
"Where the hell did you find this?" Kimura asked as Phillip pulled away from the airport.
"You'd be surprised how quickly and efficiently people will get things that you want when you have somehow come into possession of a top CIA employee's passport."
Kimura looked at him, surprised. "You stole your father's passport?" he asked in disbelief.
"The way I look at it is, I'm merely using a bit of my daddy's political power. After all, I'm a soldier, I deserve to have a chance to reap the benefits of being close to the politicians who send us grunts out to get killed," Parker said, then laughed. "Ah hell, I think I'm turning into some kind of politician myself. I didn't believe one goddamned word of what I just said."
Kimura laughed too, but it was to hide his discomfort. He was riding back into the valley of death, straight back into the organization that he had fought so hard to escape from. And he was going alone.
===============
The jeep stopped outside the Tendo Dojo. Kimura looked over at Phillip with confusion.
"What are we doing here?"
"Do you remember those Japanese teenagers that were with me in China?" Phillip asked. Kimura nodded. "Well, this is where they live."
Kimura's eyes widened and he looked through the gate.
Phillip got out of the jeep and walked briskly up to the front door. Kimura had to run to catch up to him.
"Are you sure this is wise? What if they forget that I ended up on their side?"
Phillip laughed. "Listen, if were going to go get your girl back from that piece of shit Yakuza guy, then were going to need Ranma and Ryoga."
A young woman came to the door, dressed in a very decorative kimono.
"Hello, how may I help you?" Kasumi asked in English. The black man was very obviously a foreigner.
"Hi, we were wondering if we may impose on you and if we could see Ranma and Ryoga," Phillip said in Japanese. The girl showed obvious surprise over him speaking Japanese and she smiled.
"Follow me."
She led them through the house into a room where there seemed to be a party going on. Most of the people looked at the two men with hostility and confusion.
Then Ranma recognized them.
"Phil!" he shouted and jumped to his feet and wrapped the large man up in a bear hug. Ryoga was close behind and he quickly got Phillip free from Ranma's arms and hugged the large man himself. Akari and Akane squealed with pleasure and ran to Phil and hugged him.
After the four had gotten in their greetings, Akari recognized Kimura.
"Kimura?"
"Hello," Kimura greeted demurely.
Akari hugged him and smiled.
"I'm so glad that you made it out too!"
Parker observed the room. He bowed to the occupants that were still looking at him and Kimura with confusion.
"Hello, my name is Phillip Sheridan Parker IV, and this is my associate, Isamu Kimura. We were with Ranma and Ryoga in China."
The reception immediately changed as Parker and Kimura were greeted in turn by Ranma and Akane's parents and family and a gentle looking man wearing glasses. Next came two Chinese and a girl that was dressed almost like a boy, and a guy that was dressed up as a girl.
"Did we come in the middle of a party?" Kimura asked.
"Actually, you arrived right when we were finishing off the sake," Ryoga said.
"Well that's okay," Phil said. "I'll just go out and get some more. Would you two mind accompanying me?" he asked Ranma and Ryoga. They nodded and Phil could tell that they were anxious to leave. He turned to Kimura. "Just wait here and I'll be right back."
He turned and walked out of the house with Ranma and Ryoga in tow.
"Phil, we need to talk," Ranma said once they were outside the gate.
Parker smiled at them and waited for Ranma to continue.
"Were a little uneasy about being back in Japan, now that Seiji's gone we've got no protection from the Yakuza. They've already come after our families once, and that's one too many times. We don't want to have to be looking over our shoulders every minute to see if someone is following us."
Phil laughed and earned an angry look from Ranma and Ryoga.
"Sorry, I'm not laughing at you. The reason I wanted to talk to you was because I was going to ask you for your help."
"Help with what?" Ryoga asked.
"Kimura apparently has a connection with the Oyabun's daughter and I want to help him get her out, and at the same time put that bastard Oyabun down."
Ranma and Ryoga looked at each other for a moment before replying.
"Okay," they said in unison.
"'Okay'?" Phil mimicked, "that's it?"
They nodded.
Phil grinned. "I always knew you little bastards were soldiers at heart. Seiji would be very proud of you."
That reply made them choke up a little.
"By the way, where's Ishii? I know he wanted to come to your house the minute we landed."
"He said that he needed to go work out some details out of Seiji's will and stuff," Ryoga answered.
"Okay," Phil said. "Just make sure you don't tell him about this, I know he will take the first chance he can get to shoot that chickenshit sonofabitch, and we can't have him doing that."
Ryoga and Ranma nodded their understanding.
"Alright then, let's go get some booze."
===============
Ranma slowly made his way downstairs. His head was pounding and he wasn't sure where each step was and he had to be careful. The party last night had gone into the very early hours of the morning. Finally, around three, everyone had left and after they had Phil and Kimura set up to sleep in the living room, they had gone to bed.
Ryoga had been set up inside Mr. Tendo's room but Ranma was sure he had heard him sneak out during the very early hours of the morning. Ranma didn't blame him, if Mr. Tendo found out about Ryoga's new curse, he would probably go ballistic.
Ranma peeked his head into the guest room and nearly gasped in surprise. Lying on a futon were Ryoga and Akari. Ryoga was stark naked and Ranma was sure Akari was as well. A blanket was covering Akari's more feminine parts. He crept into the room and, making sure he didn't look at Akari, he shook Ryoga awake. Akari had always seemed too pure, almost angelic. Seeing her naked would seemed wrong to Ranma.
Ryoga slowly came to and when he saw Ranma, he blushed.
"This isn't what it looks," he said.
"Yeah sure it isn't," Ranma said. "Get dressed and cover up Akari. Were the only ones awake right now." He left the room.
Ryoga slipped into a pair of pants and sweater and then covered up Akari. He took a moment to gaze at her face and thought, for the hundredth time, that she was the most beautiful girl he had ever met.
He joined Ranma outside and then went into the kitchen, where a kettle was set on the stove. He sat down at the small table and looked over at Ranma.
"You're not going to tell anyone are you?" Ryoga asked.
Ranma shook his head. "No, I wouldn't do something like that, but Akane already knows."
Ryoga looked at Ranma for a moment than looked away.
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it man," Ranma said. "But I do want to ask you something."
"What?"
"Whose decision was it to have sex?"
Ryoga blushed and looked angry for a moment, before remembering that Ranma was being sincere.
"Hers I guess. It happened when we went to that hot spring in China."
Ranma nodded. "Well, don't worry about it man, your going to be married soon so I think no one will care if they found out anyways."
Ryoga looked at Ranma and the relief on his face was evident. "Thank you Ranma."
Ranma was a little uncomfortable with the emotion in Ryoga's voice.
"So, what do you think Phillip has planned?" Ranma asked, changing the subject.
"I'm not sure, but I don't think we have anything to worry about, Phil's a damn genius when it comes to anything military," Ryoga said.
"Yeah, you got a point there. I don't know about keeping this from Ishii though. The guy has the right to avenge Seiji. Hell, I'm not even sure I'll be able to hold back when I see that bastard."
"Don't let Phil hear you say that, or you'll be sitting here with the girls when we go out to get him."
Ranma nodded his head. He looked at the wall clock. It was nine thirty, the others should have gotten up by now.
The kettle began to whistle as soon as Ranma stood up.
"Could you get that Ryoga? I'm going to go wake everyone else up."
As Ryoga moved to the stove, Phillip came lumbering into the room.
"Jeez, I never expected the sake could take me down so fast," he said. He was clad in only boxer shorts. He saw Ryoga and smiled.
"Hey Ryoga," he greeted.
"Morning Phil," Ryoga said.
Phil grabbed some cups and set them on the table and sat down on one of the chairs.
"So, Akari keep you up late?" he asked conversationally.
Ryoga spun around and stared at Phil, horrified.
Phil waved his hand, as if brushing aside Ryoga's shock.
"Don't worry Ryoga, I'm sure that I was the only one up," Phil said. "I actually expected Ranma and Akane to be the first ones to consummate their relationship."
Ryoga blushed and set the kettle onto the table and sat down in the chair opposite Phil.
"You're not going to tell anyone are you?"
"No, but I do want some details," Phillip said, and then laughed.
Ryoga looked a shifted uncomfortably.
"Have you decided on a plan yet?" Ryoga asked, hopefully changing the subject to something safe.
"Yeah, and don't worry, you and Ranma shouldn't be in any danger," Phil said. "Kimura and I are going to be the ones in the middle of the crossfire; you guys will be watching the perimeter. If everything goes according to plan, than it should all be over in about five minutes."
Ryoga nodded but didn't say anything.
"I don't want either of you to tell Akari or Akane about this."
"Why?" Ryoga asked.
"Because one of them will tell Ishii about it, and I don't want to have him hating me. I also don't want more people knowing about this. If this gets back to the military, I'm finished."
"What do you mean?"
"Think of it like this," Phil started. "If the American military were to find out that a regular army major is helping apprehend a mob boss in Japan, with no orders to do so, they will kick my ass out of the army faster than Ranma throws a punch."
"What does it matter if you are thrown out of the army?" Ryoga asked.
Phil looked at Ryoga as if the question was stupid.
"The army is my life Ryoga," Phil said simply. "All my life the only thing that I've been trained for is the army. If they were to kick me out, my life would have no meaning. I'd likely become a drunk within weeks."
"Than why are you doing this?"
"I have more of a reason going after this bastard than either you or Ranma have," Phil said sharply. "Seiji was my father's best friend, and mine. I owe him a debt of honor to avenge his death by bringing in the leader of the Yakuza. If I were to simply let the man go, than I could never look myself in the mirror."
Ryoga nodded. "I understand Phil, but maybe letting the police handle this is the best thing."
Phillip shook his head. "I don't think so. The Oyabun would just hand them some bribes and be out of jail in a matter of hours. No offence Ryoga, but the Japanese police force is about as useful as their Maritime Defense Force. One American battalion could wipe them out."
Phil took a deep breath. "There are other things involved here Ryoga. The Yakuza are being used as contract killers for the PRC."
Ryoga's eyebrows rose but he didn't say anything.
"I also know that the Chinese are on the verge of invading Taiwan. Now, I'm not sure that the American military would get involved, but if they do, I know damn well that I'm going to be sent into Taiwan. If we eliminate the threat the Oyabun creates, than maybe we can avert a war, and that is one hell of a reason for me to lay my life on the line."
Ryoga didn't know what to say so he just nodded.
"Sorry to lay all this on you Ryoga, but its nice to be able to talk to someone."
Phil took a deep pull on his teacup and got to his feet, Ryoga's eyes were drawn to the long zipper like scar on Phil's thigh.
"Where'd you get that?" Ryoga asked without thinking.
Parker unconsciously ran his hand along the scar.
"Kuwait. I was in on Task Force Bengal and I took some shrapnel when my sixty encountered some counter fire. It was really strange, they say I lost over five pints of blood but I'm sure I never remembered being hit. They gave me a Purple Heart for this. I also got the Distinguished Service Cross for my part in Task Force Bengal. The Secretary of the Army pinned it to me while I was in the hospital. Even Seiji flew down for the ceremony," Phil said.
"Do you ever miss being in combat?" Ryoga asked, again without thinking.
"The hardest thing any man has to do in life is order your comrades into a fight where you know that some of them are going to die. But one of the greatest things a man can do is lead his men into combat," Parker said, his voice deadly serious. "So yeah, I do miss being in command, but I'm certainly not going to hope it happens again."
Ryoga saw the sad look that passed over Phil's face and decided not to reply.
"That's funny," Ranma said coming into the kitchen. "I always thought the hardest thing a man can do is not put his foot into his mouth when talking to a girl."
Phil laughed and Ryoga joined in.
"You are quite right Ranma," Phil said chuckling. "Now let me go clothe my magnificent ebony body and then we can get this day started."
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"This just came in Mr. President," the President's press speaker announced as he walked into the Oval Office. He handed the President a small slip of paper and then stood beside the desk as he read it.
"Thanks John, tell Black that he can go ahead and put his Green Berets aboard the ship."
"Right away Mr. President," he said and then left the office. The President's secretary walked in through the open door.
"We have the DO coming in next Mr. President, then the Transportation Minister at three."
"Thank you Joan, send him in."
General Parker walked into the room and shook hands with the President of the United States before sitting down on a chair.
"Thank you for seeing me so soon Mr. President."
"I will always have time to see you Phil," the President replied. "Now, what have you got for me today?"
Parker's face seemed to be a mixture of anger and sadness.
"I'm sorry to have to bring this news to you sir, but it seems my son has taken the young Japanese man back to Japan."
The President's eyebrows rose but he said nothing.
"They left some time yesterday and Phillip wrote me a note but all it said was where they were going."
"And why do you think they went to Japan?"
"I believe they are going to try and get the head of the Yakuza," Parker said with little remorse. "Those damn fools."
"Why do you think that will prove to be such a problem?" the President asked.
"If it gets out that an American Special Forces team member is inside Japan attempting to apprehend a Japanese mob boss than the shit is really going to hit the fan. The Chinese will know that we know and then they will call us on our oath that there is one and only one China."
"That would appear to be a problem. But I'm afraid that it doesn't really matter what young Phil does right now."
"Huh?" Parker said.
The President handed him the small slip of paper he had received just moments before.
Parker read it.
Top Secret
Central Intelligence Agency
Langley, Virginia
From: Director of Central Intelligence
Subject: Chinese and Taiwanese Relations (Memorandum #134)
To: The President of the United States. Room 001. The White House. Washington D.C.
By Courier
In Compliance with the Presidential Memorandum to the Director, Subject: "Chinese and Taiwanese Relations" dated 16 October 1996, the following information is furnished:
(Reliability Scale Four) (From CIA Taipei, Taiwan) Chinese forces mobilizing on border facing Taiwan. Reports indicate that they are within forty miles of Taiwan.
(Reliability Scale Three) (From CIA Beijing, China) Chinese fighters took off from Air Force base last night and were armed. Not white colored training missiles but actual missiles. Headed towards coast.
Howard O' Connor
Top Secret
===============
Kimura watched as the Oyabun's house rolled into view. He got control of his breath and looked over at the driver of the car.
"Stop just out of view. Once I'm allowed in, wait four minutes and then come inside. Don't shoot anyone once you first get in, if something goes wrong, I'll give you the code signal," Kimura said, pointing to the small radio on his lapel.
Phil nodded and then stopped the car; Kimura gave them a smile and then opened the door. He walked down the sidewalk and then turned to go up the walkway leading to the house of the Oyabun, the head of the Yakuza.
Phillip turned around and looked at the other occupants of the car.
"Remember what I said you two. Do not try and enter the house unless you're going to warn me and Kimura about some incoming forces."
He received nods from Ranma and Ryoga and then turned around and looked at the small radio intercept he had in his hand. He could hear Kimura ring the doorbell.
The Oyabun's house was quite grand by Japanese standards. The house was located three miles outside Tokyo. There were literally no signs of life for within two miles.
Parker chambered a round inside his hand gun just as some voices came over the radio.
*Hello?*
*Hi, my names Kimura, I believe the Oyabun is expecting me.*
*Yes, please come inside.*
There followed a few moments of static before some more voices came over the radio.
*Hello Isamu.* A voice, it must have been the Oyabun's, Phillip thought. He seemed to be regarding Kimura with hostility.
*Greetings Oyabun, how are you this evening?*
*Why are you here?*
*Is there something wrong with my being here?*
Oh shit, Phillip thought. That was the danger signal. Something was wrong.
"Let's go."
He jolted the car door open and took off towards the house. He sprinted across the lawn with Ranma and Ryoga on his heels. Phillip charged and kicked the door, smashing it form it's hinges. There were three men standing in the hallway, all holding small handguns.
Phillip reached back to his waistband and came up with his Berretta. He brought the gun around to bear on the three men and fired two small bursts. Two of the men went down and the third was bringing his gun around to face Phillip. He pushed off the wall and rolled, just as the man fired at the doorway. Phil fired two more rounds at the man as he came out of the roll.
He jumped to his feet and this time Ranma and Ryoga took the lead. They turned and ran into what appeared to be a library.
There, standing in the center of the room were Kimura and the Oyabun. There were some more guards but Ranma and Ryoga took them down before they could even chamber a round in their weapons.
Kimura quickly turned to the Oyabun.
"Where is she?" He said.
"I'm sure I have no idea what you're talking about," the Oyabun said as he took a step backwards.
"Your daughter you son of a bitch, where the hell is Mariko?!" He shouted.
The Oyabun took one look at the four men and then quickly reached into his jacket pocket.
Parker, seeing this, expected the action meant he was reaching for a gun so he brought his gun up, but another shot rang out before he fired.
The Oyabun went down from a shot to the chest, just as Kimura seemed to have been hit in the side.
Parker saw Ryoga dash across the room and slam a guard through the wall with a bone shattering tackle. The guard had come through an adjoining room.
Phil rushed towards the two fallen men and saw that his shot had hit the Oyabun in the head. The whole back of the man's head was a red mess. There was brain matter on the bookshelf. Phil turned and looked at Kimura. He had been hit around his collar bone. Parker squatted down and checked for a pulse. There was one. He was about to stand back up when he heard noise from the end of the room. He spun around and saw a young woman standing at the doorway with a terrified expression on her face.
The young girl saw the scene and looked like she may pass out, but then she seemed to recognize Kimura.
"Oh my god!" she said, almost a wail. She rushed across the room and stood over Kimura.
"Kimura!" she said and then went down to her knees and put her hand onto his wound.
She turned around and looked at Parker for a moment.
Parker turned and looked at Ranma.
"Get Ryoga out of the wall and go call an ambulance."
He turned back and looked at the young girl.
"Christ lady, I sure as hell hope you're that Mariko girl."
===============
The police were on the scene within minutes. Kimura was loaded into an ambulance with the young woman and was driven to a hospital. Phillip, Ranma, and Ryoga were detained at the scene and were subjected to a police interrogation.
But before the police could ask any of them some questions, the lieutenant on the scene received a call on his squad box. He came back to the three detainees and asked to speak to them alone.
He brought them into the house, which by now had the bodies removed from the inside, and led them to what appeared to be the dining room.
"I know exactly what you three were doing here today, and if I had my way I would make sure that you three faced a judge. But, I just received the call that not only was the men you killed members of the Yakuza, but that one of them was the head Oyabun."
He stared at all three of them before going on.
"I doubt that there would be a court in this world that would not feel obliged to the three men that just killed the man responsible for the countless deaths of innocent civilians. I hope you understand that, and I hope I'm getting the message clear that I don't want to ever see you guys or your friend in the ambulance again."
They nodded and turned to leave when the lieutenant stopped Parker.
"There's just one more thing that the message said. I was told that around four in the afternoon today, the Prime Minister received a call from the President of the United States and he asked that if one Major Phillip Sheridan Parker IV happened to fall into police custody, could he please be sent to the nearest secure phone line and allowed to put a call through to the Prime Ministers office. I'll do that now."
Phillip didn't seem especially surprised over the news and he turned to Ranma and Ryoga.
"You guys go on home; I'll be there in a couple of hours."
===============
Phillip arrived back at the Tendo Dojo after four hours of being in police custody. He offered an apology to Mr. Tendo when he was asked to stay for dinner. It was apparent that he had something else on his mind. He asked for a moment of Ranma and Ryoga's time and led them outside the front gate of the Tendo household.
"Is everything alright Phil?" Ranma asked once they had come to a stop.
Phillip looked sadly at the two teenagers and then slowly shook his head.
"I'm to immediately be flown to the carrier Independence, which is now sitting in between Taiwan and China. Once there I will consider myself under arrest and then will be immediately flown back to the States where I will face a general court-martial."
"Oh shit!" Ryoga said.
"Yeah that about covers it," Phillip said sadly. "I checked in on Kimura and he'll be alright. Bullet passed right through him without hitting anything. Oh yeah, the girl at the house was his girl. He was wondering if you might come to see him and to bring Akane and Akari."
Phillip put on a smile that was very evidently forced.
"I'll see you guys later; thank your family in there for me."
He climbed into his jeep and pulled down the street.
===============
"So were heading straight to Independence?" Phillip asked the three uniformed American Navy personnel.
Once he returned to the police station he had been turned over to the custody of the American military. He had been flown to Fukuoka, where he was then placed onto an American EA-6B Prowler.
The Prowler was an aircraft that was included with every aircraft carrier group. The EA-6B is a multi-mission capable platform that couples human interface with a sophisticated electronic warfare package. The Prowler is derived from the two-seater A-6 Intruder attack aircraft. The basic airframe was stretched and strengthened to accommodate a four-seat cockpit. Another distinguishing feature is the pod-shaped fairing at the top of the vertical fin. The heart of the EA-6B is the AN/ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System. The Prowler can carry up to five pods (one belly mounted and two on each wing). Each pod is integrally powered and houses two jamming transmitters that cover one of seven frequency bands. The EA-6B can carry any mix of pods, fuel tanks and/or HARM anti-radiation missiles depending on mission requirements.
It was very unusual to have one sent out with the mission to recover one regular army major.
"Yes sir, once there you will be 'detained'," one of the pilots said with a little humility in his voice.
Parker strained his head around to get a look at the pilot and saw that he was being laughed at. He decided that waiting and seeing what kind of reception he got while on Independence before he made any snap judgments about what would really happen to him.
The landing was pure textbook and Phillip was quickly taken to the Admirals quarters. He marched briskly into Admiral Lowell's office and stood in front of his desk.
"Sir, Major Phillip S. Parker reporting as ordered!" he boomed.
Lowell looked up at him with a mixture of amusement and annoyance.
"This isn't the army Parker, and even so, you aren't even doing it right."
"Sir?" Parker asked, confused. He had not yet lowered his salute. The admiral returned it and then grabbed a folder from his desk. He handed it to Parker.
"I think after reading that you'll understand what you did wrong," Lowell said as Parker read it.
Parker smiled after reading it and then came back to attention.
"Sir, Lieutenant Colonel Phillip S. Parker reporting as ordered," he said with a huge grin. Lowell grinned back and extended his hand.
"Well Colonel, I hope you understand that under the present circumstances we have yet to get you your silver chicken, but I'm sure they'll fix that when you get back to the States."
Parker's face turned into a saddened expression.
Lowell saw this. "What's wrong?"
"I'm sure the Admiral knows about my situation," Parker said. Realization had just dawned on him that he wouldn't even be able to stay in the army long enough to have the lieutenant colonel part added to his title.
"Why yes I do. But I don't see why you are so down about it. If this had happened to me I would be buying everyone in the entire fleet a round of beers."
Parker looked at him in confusion. Lowell handed him another folder. Inside there was three sheets stapled together. They read:
Parker murder case. File #4536225
Lieutenant Colonel Parker, Phillip S. is hereby acquitted of the charges of Article 92. Report comes at 1345 of present day.
Colonel Parker was charged with the act of committing gross and irresponsible actions that resulted in the deaths of seven Japanese citizens. He had been subjected to be sent to Fort Rucker where he would stand before a panel of judges and brought to face up to his actions.
Name below authorizes the acquittal of charges to Lieutenant Colonel Parker.
Bill Rodgers.
Commander of Special Warfare School
Brigadier General Designate
Parker is hereby ordered to temporary duty with the Special Warfare School. He will report to the commanding officer by the 27 October.
The following is quoted from Brigadier General Rodgers:
After pulling your ass from the flames once again Phillip my lad, I realized that for once, it would benefit me. I'm assuming that Admiral Lowell will give this to you at the earliest possible time. After that, you're going to be staying on Independence with the Green Berets that will be flown in later in the day. Once they are dropped off you will be assigned to their unit as second in command and sent with them to Taipei. You will then be responsible for setting up a temporary protective detail for the President of Taiwan. More later. Bill.
Officer's signature below officially assigns officer: Phillip S. Parker, to the Special Warfare School.
Bill Rodgers
Parker looked up at Admiral Lowell.
"Jesus, how the hell could he have pulled this off?"
"Through a whole lot of ass-grinding and ass-kissing I'd imagine," Lowell replied.
"Christ, I can't believe he did that," Parker said.
Lowell looked at him for a moment than he reached underneath his desk and retrieved a bottle of scotch.
"I would like to be the first to congratulate you on your promotion. I just hope that you're becoming a lieutenant colonel by age twenty-nine does not go directly to your head."
"Don't worry admiral, I don't have that much room in my head for such thoughts," Parker said. He took the extended glass and raised his it above his head.
"Absent companions," he said and then took a drink.
"Absent companions," Lowell mirrored and then drank.
Parker looked at Lowell and smiled. In a matter of hours his career had gone from being dead in the water, to being promoted and assigned to a new unit.
===============
Author's Notes: When I first released this chapter, it was a few days before the first anniversary of the September 11th attacks on our country. I did not think I could truthfully write it again, so I decided to simply copy it from the original. It reads as follows:
I'm dedicating this story to BullDog, who went to his grave while in Afghanistan, killed in action. Even if you went before your time, I want you to know you'll always remain my mentor and friend.
To Bill, I hope you finally found that meaning in your life. Killed in action in Afghanistan, seven months ago.
I would also like to take this time to offer my condolences to the people that lost loved ones during the September 11 attacks. The losing of someone you love is a great challenge, and not one that you will soon overcome.
To the soldiers that I have served with and fought alongside. You are my brothers and sisters, my eternal family. May you always be the men and women that protect this country.
To the people of America. There are many things that come with living in America, and it is a privilege that many don't fully understand until the freedom that America gives has been taken away. I hope that everyone out there understands just what it means to put on a uniform and swear an oath to protect your country and defend it against all of its enemies. Remember that being a soldier is not the easy job that is displayed to you in movies and television.
To the intelligence community. I want the people out there to realize that without organizations like the CIA, America would be crippled. Do not hold onto the belief that intelligence officers are evil merciless people that pray on the disgruntled and rape other countries. Intelligence on your enemy is something that is incredibly vital to the overall success of a mission. And although the intelligence community is under fire today, I hold the belief that they are still the credible force they have been for the better part of the century.
And finally, to my comrades in arms that have fallen. You have made the ultimate sacrifice for your country. You have traded your life so that others may live. And that, my friends is the noblest act of them all.
Thank you for your time. Please review and if you want, you can offer an opinion about what I have mentioned above.
Kimura smiled demurely at the man sitting behind the large oak desk. He looked around the room and again thought that it seemed a lot smaller than he thought it would be.
The room was often referred to as the oval office, an office that was circular in shape and housed the most powerful man in the world. What surprised people the most about the oval office when they saw it for the first time was its size, it was no bigger than an office for a middle- management type executive.
The President of the United States quickly read the document put before him. He looked up at the three men from the CIA and Kimura.
"You are positive that this is real?" He asked them. He received nodded heads in return. The President let out a breath and sank back into his chair. "And what should we do about it?"
"Mr. President," the DCI (Director of Central Intelligence) started. "I believe that it would be best for you to listen to the taped recording as well."
The DO sat the tape recorder on the desk and hit play. The conversation lasted only a few minutes, but it was enough for the President to be worked into a fury.
"Those sonsofbitches!" He yelled furiously, surprising the men in the room. When he spoke next, his voice was tight, with barely concealed fury. "I'm going to have a call put through to the Chinese Premier."
The DO, Phillip Parker III, spoke up. "Sir, I believe it would be best if you didn't do that." The President looked at him with impatience. "I mean, the Chinese are going to outright deny this anyway, and if you were to call now, it may increase the speed with which their doing things. Right now, we have a very limited amount of time to think this through, and if the Chinese were to speed their operation up, than we may be powerless to stop them."
The President looked at him with anger for a moment, but then his features softened.
"You may be right, but I am not going to sit by and watch as they blow President Lee away. The United States may have a 'One China' policy, but that doesn't mean we don't support the democracy part of it. We've still got the Taiwanese Relations Act of 1979. If Taiwan is attacked, we can state that such a thing represents a threat to peace in the Western Pacific area. If the situation arises, I will declare all relations with the People's Republic put on hold."
"I believe," Earl Murray, the DI, began, "that it would be best if we just warned President Lee of this, and then offer to put United States forces in between the two countries and help create a peaceful atmosphere."
The President looked thoughtful for a moment and then smiled. "You always were good at coming up with a peaceful solution Earl."
"Thank you Mr. President."
The President turned and regarded the DCI. "Do you believe that the presence of American ships would keep the Chinese at bay?"
"I would believe that it would give them pause sir, but I'm not entirely sure that it would stop them," the DCI answered. "I'm not too sure what sort of American ships we have that are close enough to the two China's to stop the assassination."
"Well, that's something we can always find out," the President said. He picked up his phone and dialed a number. "Get me the pentagon." There was silence for a few moments. "Hello Chuck, I was wondering if you happened to know just what sort of forces we have that we can put between Taiwan and China." There was a slight pause. "Ok, thanks Chuck."
The President set the phone back into its cradle. "We've got the aircraft carrier Nimitz and it's support ships, and the carrier Independence and its support ships low in the Pacific. They could be moved to the Asian countries in as little as a week."
Parker thought that over. "That would leave us with about three days before the assassination is to be carried out. Do you think that if Lee allows us to put some American protection on him, that we could put a small Special Forces unit on the ship to be dropped off on Taiwan?"
"Yes," the President nodded. "But I will have to get the Secretary of the Army's approval before such actions, as well as President Lee's."
The DCI nodded his head towards Kimura. "What about him? Are you sure we can let him go off on his own?"
"No," the President shook his head. "But Phillip has said that he will put a protective detail around him, and to ensure he doesn't try and run off."
Kimura looked a little pale and he used considerable effort to keep his body upright.
"If you gentlemen will excuse me, I need to place a few calls," the President said, ending the meeting.
===============
The carrier Independence was situated on the equator. Temperatures were reaching one hundred degrees and showed no signs of dropping. The sailors and officers aboard were making use of the ship's enormous deck size to do some activities that they had been forced to put on hold as they moved south from the coastal waters of northern Russia. There was a game of football and soccer being played. The deck was large, about two hundred yards. Any sailor that knocked or threw the ball over the edge was forced into what is normally referred to as a sailor shower. The sailor is thrown off the edge of the ship and into the waters below, where he is forced to retrieve the previously lost ball.
Aircraft carriers are routinely forward deployed around the world, engaging in joint (U.S. Navy, Marines, Army and Air Force) and combined (with other allied nations) exercises. These exercises hone our own combat skills as well as providing valuable experience in operating with other forces. While deployed, aircraft carriers operate in international waters providing a reassuring presence to our allies and a warning to potential enemies. This presence can be quickly increased or withdrawn as the situation dictates. Should the situation require it, the aircraft carrier and air wing team are ready on arrival to accomplish whatever mission is given, from unobtrusive surveillance to devastating strikes and anything in between. Although aircraft carriers are routinely deployed near traditional areas of potential conflict, the aircraft carrier can move quickly to another area of the world should a crisis erupt, and be ready to operate immediately.
At the moment, the world was in a sense of peace, so the sailors aboard could relax and enjoy the weather. That did not mean the ships were unprotected, most aircraft carriers can house thousands of Navy personnel.
The Admiral of Independence was Geoff Lowell, a career sailor. He was already past sixty, but in good physical shape. He was broad shouldered, although they were beginning to show signs of muscle contraction. He had a handsome face, and there was an indication of growing jowls around his mouth.
Admiral Lowell had first joined the Navy during World War II and had never left. He was a career navy man, and was beginning to accept that Admiral was as far as he would be able to go in his career.
He frowned; he was inside his mess and was staring at some of the maps that adorned the walls. Independence was supposed to be heading towards the Atlantic. At the moment they were on the wrong side of South America and it would take at least a week to arrive at the prearranged location.
The frown was still on his face when his executive officer came into his quarters.
"We've got a message coming in Admiral."
Geoff got to his feet and followed his XO. Independence was a large ship, and it took them twelve minutes to reach the bridge.
"Any idea where this message is coming from Porter?" Admiral Lowell asked.
"No sir," the XO replied. "It's likely to be coming from the States considering how long it is."
Geoff grabbed the intercept and read it.
1350 hours, 17 October. Independence is ordered to move from current location to the north Pacific at earliest possible time. Will be joined by Nimitz at later date, more orders will follow. VOP.
"What the hell is VOP?" the Xo asked.
"It means 'Verbal Order of the President'," Geoff answered automatically. He smiled to himself. The last time his orders had been changed was when they were ordered to go to the Gulf, and that had been because some crazy Iraqi leader had decided to invade Kuwait. Something must be happening over in Asia.
"Do you have any idea what this is about Admiral?" the radioman asked.
"No, but I guess the troops are going to have to forget about their leave time in Peru."
Admiral Lowell turned to his XO.
"Have a message prepared to be sent," he ordered. "Message received, and acknowledged. Will begin execution of orders at present time, and requires specific location from which we will dock."
Lowell thanked his XO and the radioman, and returned to his quarters. He sat on his bunk and a smile lit his face. The commander of Nimitz was an old friend of his. The United States never sent two aircraft carriers at the same location unless the situation demanded it, and that meant that they would at least be seeing some combat in one form or another.
He went to his cabinet and removed his khaki trunks. He took out his Navy blues and laid them on the bed. Maybe he would see a little more action before he was forced to retire.
===============
"So what was your impression of the President?" Phillip Sheridan Parker IV asked.
Phillip was a regular army soldier. He had attended Norwich, not West Point, so he was acquainted with armor, not infantry. He had earned his majority during the Gulf War, when he commanded a battalion in Task Force Bengal with the Saudi's. He had been twenty-seven when he got his leaf. Five years later he was sure that he was on the five-percent list for lieutenant colonel.
At the moment Phil was sitting inside his father's living room. Being a retired General and a high ranking person in the CIA allowed you to have a few benefits. But Phil's father seemed to disregard that fact.
His father's house was quite small, and having two extra people in the house was nearly unbearable. After Kimura's impromptu meeting with the President of the United States, Kimura had been turned over to Phil for the immediate future. Phil was still on leave from the army, but he knew that he would have been called back for duty if it weren't for his present duty to watch Kimura.
"Quite scary, I wasn't sure if I was either going to faint or piss my pants," Kimura answered.
Phillip laughed. "Well, I wouldn't have expected that sort of reaction. So what do you want to do now, most people would want to go see the Washington Monument."
"Actually, what I would like to do is go back to Japan," Kimura said.
"You know we can't do that," Phil said sternly. "If we went back to Japan we would have the Yakuza and the Chinese breathing down our necks."
Kimura didn't reply, he just looked down at the ground.
"Why do you want to go back to Japan anyway?"
Kimura spoke so softly that Phil almost didn't hear him.
"I have to."
"What the hell are you talking about? The only thing that would come from you going to Japan would be your death and probably a hell of a lot of Yakuza."
"I must return," Kimura said with desperation in his voice. Then everything spilled out, everything that had happened with the Oyabun and his daughter.
"If I don't return he may kill her."
"Jesus! Why the hell didn't you tell me earlier?" Parker asked furious.
Kimura looked at him in surprise when Phillip got to his feet.
"What are you doing?"
Parker ignored him and walked to a nearby phone. He picked up the receiver and dialed a number.
"I want to know when the next flight to Tokyo leaves," Parker said.
Kimura got out of the chair. "Are you serious Phillip?"
"1700 hours? Thank you," he said and hung up. "Get your coat, were leaving."
Kimura nodded dumbly and grabbed his coat. He didn't have any idea what he would do once he got there, but Phillip seemed to know.
Phil grabbed a pad and wrote a quick note down. He ripped the paper from the pad and put the note on the table and grabbed his coat. He turned to Kimura.
"I may be a stupid regular army major, but I do know when to let my instincts take over, and right now my guts telling me that going to Japan is the right thing to do, and screw everyone else. Not many people may understand why I do the things I do, and I can take that. But what I can't take is a person criticizing me when I do something that ends up working out. So if you think I'm planning on going to Japan and not putting this Yakuza shit in jail, than your wrong."
Kimura didn't reply because he was having trouble fighting the tears that threatened to escape his eyes.
===============
"The assassination will be carried out in one week. I have received word from Japan that the team is on their way to Taiwan," Zhisheng told the assembled group of men. No one replied. "I have also consulted with Wei Liang and he has told me that the PLA has its forces ready to invade Taiwan and take Taipei on a moments notice."
Zhisheng took note of Jingshu's uneasiness. "What is wrong Jingshu?"
Jingshu got unsteadily to his feet. "Comrades, as you know, I am the Transportation Minister and am also in charge of the Treasury. Yesterday on my annual report I received some very troubling news. The report I received described in detail how our economy's faulting. If the report I received is to be believed, then we are out of money."
"What!?" Liang scoffed. "How can a country be out of money?"
"By dwindling there funds into their military and nothing else," Jingshu said to Wei. He turned to the others. "Comrades, all of our revenue is gone. The harvest was poor and unemployment is up. The Americans are finding ways to get out of contracts and the rest of the world seems to be moving their business to Taiwan."
"Who gave you this report?" Renyang asked.
"It was given to me by my staff," Jingshu answered sharply. "And I will not have anyone in this room try and take their anger out on them. We have put ourselves into this hole because of poor management. Sixty-five percent of our revenue from last year went into the army. No country in the world can do this for very long without finally coming to the point where they have used up their funds, and we have been doing it for decades."
When Renyang spoke, his voice was tight and his eyes burned with fury.
"Jingshu, you will consider yourself relieved from your position. Get out."
Jingshu reared back as if struck and then collected his papers and left the room in a stunned state.
Renyang turned back to the group. "I want this operation against Taiwan to be completed and damn the consequences. If it fails, then I will put the entire army onto Taiwan's shores."
There was no reply from any of the Politburo members.
"Meeting adjourned," Renyang said and left the room.
===============
Ranma watched as his father staggered into the room. He felt a wave of relief flash through him.
"Jeez pop, I would think you'd have learned to duck by now," Ranma said conversationally.
"Watch your tongue boy!" Genma said sharply. "Or am I going to have to teach you a lesson."
"I'd like to see you teach me a lesson when you're on those crutches pop," Ranma said and laughed when Genma swung at him.
"Ranma," Nodoka said, gently but firmly, "stop teasing your father."
The exchange went unnoticed by Akane, who was watching Akari and Ryoga. She had been hoping to talk to Akari alone but ever since they had gotten to the house, she had never left Ryoga's side. Akane was going to run out of chances for the night since everyone else was coming over for a party. Before she could get the chance, Ishii asked if he could talk to the four returnees for a moment.
Ishii led them down the hall and into the guestroom. He motioned for them to sit down but neglected to do so himself.
"I wanted to be the one to tell you guys before any of the others could say anything."
"What is it?" Ryoga asked, a little fear creeping into his voice.
"After you guys took off through the woods at Jusenkyo, Phillip went and grabbed Seiji and brought him into the guide's hut. Seiji was very badly injured and there wasn't anything we could do and he wouldn't have survived the trip through the woods," Ishii said.
Akari grabbed Ryoga's hand and Akane did the same with Ranma.
"Seiji told me and Phillip to leave him behind. He knew that if we took him that he would slow us down. Phillip stayed and talked to him after me and Kimura went out of the window. Phillip had given him his grenade and then followed us. After we went about twenty yards, we heard the grenade go off. Seiji had killed himself and the other soldiers so we could get ourselves out of there," Ishii's voice broke and tears started in his eyes.
Akari started crying and Ryoga pulled her to his chest. Ranma did the same with Akane.
Ishii rubbed furiously at his eyes as his tears flowed. He sank down to his knees and let out a sob.
Ranma and Ryoga looked at each other and a look of sadness was mirrored on their faces.
"He told Phillip that that was the way he wanted to go out, taking as many of those godless bastards with him."
Akari struggled from Ryoga's grasp and crawled over to Ishii and hugged him.
"Is Phillip at least okay?" Akari asked as a sob escaped her throat.
Ishii nodded and returned Akari's hug. "He went to go tell his father about what happened to my father."
"Father?" Ranma asked, confused.
Akane sat up and looked at Ishii. "Did you just say father Ishii?"
Ishii looked a little uncomfortable and removed his arms from around Akari.
"Yes, I apologize for not telling any of you about it, but Seiji and I decided that it would be best if you didn't know."
Akane joined Akari in hugging Ishii.
Ranma and Ryoga looked at each other. Ranma shrugged and Ryoga nodded. They got to their feet and lifted Ishii, Akane and Akari to their feet and joined in the group hug.
Once they had parted Ishii looked at everyone.
"I know that Seiji really liked all of you, and that he would want you to be happy. That is why I'm going to do everything I can to make sure you four live in peace. It's what Seiji would have wanted."
Ranma left the room and returned quickly with one of the sake bottles and some glasses from the party that was being set up. He handed out the glasses and then filled them with the sake. He raised his glass for a toast.
"To Seiji Inafune," he began, "He may have been a little strange, but he was one hell of a man!"
And that was something they could all drink to.
===============
Kimura watched with utter disbelief on his face when Phillip came around into the airport pick-up and drop-off zone at the wheels of a jeep. Phil was wearing a big grin and motioned for Kimura to hop in.
"Where the hell did you find this?" Kimura asked as Phillip pulled away from the airport.
"You'd be surprised how quickly and efficiently people will get things that you want when you have somehow come into possession of a top CIA employee's passport."
Kimura looked at him, surprised. "You stole your father's passport?" he asked in disbelief.
"The way I look at it is, I'm merely using a bit of my daddy's political power. After all, I'm a soldier, I deserve to have a chance to reap the benefits of being close to the politicians who send us grunts out to get killed," Parker said, then laughed. "Ah hell, I think I'm turning into some kind of politician myself. I didn't believe one goddamned word of what I just said."
Kimura laughed too, but it was to hide his discomfort. He was riding back into the valley of death, straight back into the organization that he had fought so hard to escape from. And he was going alone.
===============
The jeep stopped outside the Tendo Dojo. Kimura looked over at Phillip with confusion.
"What are we doing here?"
"Do you remember those Japanese teenagers that were with me in China?" Phillip asked. Kimura nodded. "Well, this is where they live."
Kimura's eyes widened and he looked through the gate.
Phillip got out of the jeep and walked briskly up to the front door. Kimura had to run to catch up to him.
"Are you sure this is wise? What if they forget that I ended up on their side?"
Phillip laughed. "Listen, if were going to go get your girl back from that piece of shit Yakuza guy, then were going to need Ranma and Ryoga."
A young woman came to the door, dressed in a very decorative kimono.
"Hello, how may I help you?" Kasumi asked in English. The black man was very obviously a foreigner.
"Hi, we were wondering if we may impose on you and if we could see Ranma and Ryoga," Phillip said in Japanese. The girl showed obvious surprise over him speaking Japanese and she smiled.
"Follow me."
She led them through the house into a room where there seemed to be a party going on. Most of the people looked at the two men with hostility and confusion.
Then Ranma recognized them.
"Phil!" he shouted and jumped to his feet and wrapped the large man up in a bear hug. Ryoga was close behind and he quickly got Phillip free from Ranma's arms and hugged the large man himself. Akari and Akane squealed with pleasure and ran to Phil and hugged him.
After the four had gotten in their greetings, Akari recognized Kimura.
"Kimura?"
"Hello," Kimura greeted demurely.
Akari hugged him and smiled.
"I'm so glad that you made it out too!"
Parker observed the room. He bowed to the occupants that were still looking at him and Kimura with confusion.
"Hello, my name is Phillip Sheridan Parker IV, and this is my associate, Isamu Kimura. We were with Ranma and Ryoga in China."
The reception immediately changed as Parker and Kimura were greeted in turn by Ranma and Akane's parents and family and a gentle looking man wearing glasses. Next came two Chinese and a girl that was dressed almost like a boy, and a guy that was dressed up as a girl.
"Did we come in the middle of a party?" Kimura asked.
"Actually, you arrived right when we were finishing off the sake," Ryoga said.
"Well that's okay," Phil said. "I'll just go out and get some more. Would you two mind accompanying me?" he asked Ranma and Ryoga. They nodded and Phil could tell that they were anxious to leave. He turned to Kimura. "Just wait here and I'll be right back."
He turned and walked out of the house with Ranma and Ryoga in tow.
"Phil, we need to talk," Ranma said once they were outside the gate.
Parker smiled at them and waited for Ranma to continue.
"Were a little uneasy about being back in Japan, now that Seiji's gone we've got no protection from the Yakuza. They've already come after our families once, and that's one too many times. We don't want to have to be looking over our shoulders every minute to see if someone is following us."
Phil laughed and earned an angry look from Ranma and Ryoga.
"Sorry, I'm not laughing at you. The reason I wanted to talk to you was because I was going to ask you for your help."
"Help with what?" Ryoga asked.
"Kimura apparently has a connection with the Oyabun's daughter and I want to help him get her out, and at the same time put that bastard Oyabun down."
Ranma and Ryoga looked at each other for a moment before replying.
"Okay," they said in unison.
"'Okay'?" Phil mimicked, "that's it?"
They nodded.
Phil grinned. "I always knew you little bastards were soldiers at heart. Seiji would be very proud of you."
That reply made them choke up a little.
"By the way, where's Ishii? I know he wanted to come to your house the minute we landed."
"He said that he needed to go work out some details out of Seiji's will and stuff," Ryoga answered.
"Okay," Phil said. "Just make sure you don't tell him about this, I know he will take the first chance he can get to shoot that chickenshit sonofabitch, and we can't have him doing that."
Ryoga and Ranma nodded their understanding.
"Alright then, let's go get some booze."
===============
Ranma slowly made his way downstairs. His head was pounding and he wasn't sure where each step was and he had to be careful. The party last night had gone into the very early hours of the morning. Finally, around three, everyone had left and after they had Phil and Kimura set up to sleep in the living room, they had gone to bed.
Ryoga had been set up inside Mr. Tendo's room but Ranma was sure he had heard him sneak out during the very early hours of the morning. Ranma didn't blame him, if Mr. Tendo found out about Ryoga's new curse, he would probably go ballistic.
Ranma peeked his head into the guest room and nearly gasped in surprise. Lying on a futon were Ryoga and Akari. Ryoga was stark naked and Ranma was sure Akari was as well. A blanket was covering Akari's more feminine parts. He crept into the room and, making sure he didn't look at Akari, he shook Ryoga awake. Akari had always seemed too pure, almost angelic. Seeing her naked would seemed wrong to Ranma.
Ryoga slowly came to and when he saw Ranma, he blushed.
"This isn't what it looks," he said.
"Yeah sure it isn't," Ranma said. "Get dressed and cover up Akari. Were the only ones awake right now." He left the room.
Ryoga slipped into a pair of pants and sweater and then covered up Akari. He took a moment to gaze at her face and thought, for the hundredth time, that she was the most beautiful girl he had ever met.
He joined Ranma outside and then went into the kitchen, where a kettle was set on the stove. He sat down at the small table and looked over at Ranma.
"You're not going to tell anyone are you?" Ryoga asked.
Ranma shook his head. "No, I wouldn't do something like that, but Akane already knows."
Ryoga looked at Ranma for a moment than looked away.
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it man," Ranma said. "But I do want to ask you something."
"What?"
"Whose decision was it to have sex?"
Ryoga blushed and looked angry for a moment, before remembering that Ranma was being sincere.
"Hers I guess. It happened when we went to that hot spring in China."
Ranma nodded. "Well, don't worry about it man, your going to be married soon so I think no one will care if they found out anyways."
Ryoga looked at Ranma and the relief on his face was evident. "Thank you Ranma."
Ranma was a little uncomfortable with the emotion in Ryoga's voice.
"So, what do you think Phillip has planned?" Ranma asked, changing the subject.
"I'm not sure, but I don't think we have anything to worry about, Phil's a damn genius when it comes to anything military," Ryoga said.
"Yeah, you got a point there. I don't know about keeping this from Ishii though. The guy has the right to avenge Seiji. Hell, I'm not even sure I'll be able to hold back when I see that bastard."
"Don't let Phil hear you say that, or you'll be sitting here with the girls when we go out to get him."
Ranma nodded his head. He looked at the wall clock. It was nine thirty, the others should have gotten up by now.
The kettle began to whistle as soon as Ranma stood up.
"Could you get that Ryoga? I'm going to go wake everyone else up."
As Ryoga moved to the stove, Phillip came lumbering into the room.
"Jeez, I never expected the sake could take me down so fast," he said. He was clad in only boxer shorts. He saw Ryoga and smiled.
"Hey Ryoga," he greeted.
"Morning Phil," Ryoga said.
Phil grabbed some cups and set them on the table and sat down on one of the chairs.
"So, Akari keep you up late?" he asked conversationally.
Ryoga spun around and stared at Phil, horrified.
Phil waved his hand, as if brushing aside Ryoga's shock.
"Don't worry Ryoga, I'm sure that I was the only one up," Phil said. "I actually expected Ranma and Akane to be the first ones to consummate their relationship."
Ryoga blushed and set the kettle onto the table and sat down in the chair opposite Phil.
"You're not going to tell anyone are you?"
"No, but I do want some details," Phillip said, and then laughed.
Ryoga looked a shifted uncomfortably.
"Have you decided on a plan yet?" Ryoga asked, hopefully changing the subject to something safe.
"Yeah, and don't worry, you and Ranma shouldn't be in any danger," Phil said. "Kimura and I are going to be the ones in the middle of the crossfire; you guys will be watching the perimeter. If everything goes according to plan, than it should all be over in about five minutes."
Ryoga nodded but didn't say anything.
"I don't want either of you to tell Akari or Akane about this."
"Why?" Ryoga asked.
"Because one of them will tell Ishii about it, and I don't want to have him hating me. I also don't want more people knowing about this. If this gets back to the military, I'm finished."
"What do you mean?"
"Think of it like this," Phil started. "If the American military were to find out that a regular army major is helping apprehend a mob boss in Japan, with no orders to do so, they will kick my ass out of the army faster than Ranma throws a punch."
"What does it matter if you are thrown out of the army?" Ryoga asked.
Phil looked at Ryoga as if the question was stupid.
"The army is my life Ryoga," Phil said simply. "All my life the only thing that I've been trained for is the army. If they were to kick me out, my life would have no meaning. I'd likely become a drunk within weeks."
"Than why are you doing this?"
"I have more of a reason going after this bastard than either you or Ranma have," Phil said sharply. "Seiji was my father's best friend, and mine. I owe him a debt of honor to avenge his death by bringing in the leader of the Yakuza. If I were to simply let the man go, than I could never look myself in the mirror."
Ryoga nodded. "I understand Phil, but maybe letting the police handle this is the best thing."
Phillip shook his head. "I don't think so. The Oyabun would just hand them some bribes and be out of jail in a matter of hours. No offence Ryoga, but the Japanese police force is about as useful as their Maritime Defense Force. One American battalion could wipe them out."
Phil took a deep breath. "There are other things involved here Ryoga. The Yakuza are being used as contract killers for the PRC."
Ryoga's eyebrows rose but he didn't say anything.
"I also know that the Chinese are on the verge of invading Taiwan. Now, I'm not sure that the American military would get involved, but if they do, I know damn well that I'm going to be sent into Taiwan. If we eliminate the threat the Oyabun creates, than maybe we can avert a war, and that is one hell of a reason for me to lay my life on the line."
Ryoga didn't know what to say so he just nodded.
"Sorry to lay all this on you Ryoga, but its nice to be able to talk to someone."
Phil took a deep pull on his teacup and got to his feet, Ryoga's eyes were drawn to the long zipper like scar on Phil's thigh.
"Where'd you get that?" Ryoga asked without thinking.
Parker unconsciously ran his hand along the scar.
"Kuwait. I was in on Task Force Bengal and I took some shrapnel when my sixty encountered some counter fire. It was really strange, they say I lost over five pints of blood but I'm sure I never remembered being hit. They gave me a Purple Heart for this. I also got the Distinguished Service Cross for my part in Task Force Bengal. The Secretary of the Army pinned it to me while I was in the hospital. Even Seiji flew down for the ceremony," Phil said.
"Do you ever miss being in combat?" Ryoga asked, again without thinking.
"The hardest thing any man has to do in life is order your comrades into a fight where you know that some of them are going to die. But one of the greatest things a man can do is lead his men into combat," Parker said, his voice deadly serious. "So yeah, I do miss being in command, but I'm certainly not going to hope it happens again."
Ryoga saw the sad look that passed over Phil's face and decided not to reply.
"That's funny," Ranma said coming into the kitchen. "I always thought the hardest thing a man can do is not put his foot into his mouth when talking to a girl."
Phil laughed and Ryoga joined in.
"You are quite right Ranma," Phil said chuckling. "Now let me go clothe my magnificent ebony body and then we can get this day started."
===============
"This just came in Mr. President," the President's press speaker announced as he walked into the Oval Office. He handed the President a small slip of paper and then stood beside the desk as he read it.
"Thanks John, tell Black that he can go ahead and put his Green Berets aboard the ship."
"Right away Mr. President," he said and then left the office. The President's secretary walked in through the open door.
"We have the DO coming in next Mr. President, then the Transportation Minister at three."
"Thank you Joan, send him in."
General Parker walked into the room and shook hands with the President of the United States before sitting down on a chair.
"Thank you for seeing me so soon Mr. President."
"I will always have time to see you Phil," the President replied. "Now, what have you got for me today?"
Parker's face seemed to be a mixture of anger and sadness.
"I'm sorry to have to bring this news to you sir, but it seems my son has taken the young Japanese man back to Japan."
The President's eyebrows rose but he said nothing.
"They left some time yesterday and Phillip wrote me a note but all it said was where they were going."
"And why do you think they went to Japan?"
"I believe they are going to try and get the head of the Yakuza," Parker said with little remorse. "Those damn fools."
"Why do you think that will prove to be such a problem?" the President asked.
"If it gets out that an American Special Forces team member is inside Japan attempting to apprehend a Japanese mob boss than the shit is really going to hit the fan. The Chinese will know that we know and then they will call us on our oath that there is one and only one China."
"That would appear to be a problem. But I'm afraid that it doesn't really matter what young Phil does right now."
"Huh?" Parker said.
The President handed him the small slip of paper he had received just moments before.
Parker read it.
Top Secret
Central Intelligence Agency
Langley, Virginia
From: Director of Central Intelligence
Subject: Chinese and Taiwanese Relations (Memorandum #134)
To: The President of the United States. Room 001. The White House. Washington D.C.
By Courier
In Compliance with the Presidential Memorandum to the Director, Subject: "Chinese and Taiwanese Relations" dated 16 October 1996, the following information is furnished:
(Reliability Scale Four) (From CIA Taipei, Taiwan) Chinese forces mobilizing on border facing Taiwan. Reports indicate that they are within forty miles of Taiwan.
(Reliability Scale Three) (From CIA Beijing, China) Chinese fighters took off from Air Force base last night and were armed. Not white colored training missiles but actual missiles. Headed towards coast.
Howard O' Connor
Top Secret
===============
Kimura watched as the Oyabun's house rolled into view. He got control of his breath and looked over at the driver of the car.
"Stop just out of view. Once I'm allowed in, wait four minutes and then come inside. Don't shoot anyone once you first get in, if something goes wrong, I'll give you the code signal," Kimura said, pointing to the small radio on his lapel.
Phil nodded and then stopped the car; Kimura gave them a smile and then opened the door. He walked down the sidewalk and then turned to go up the walkway leading to the house of the Oyabun, the head of the Yakuza.
Phillip turned around and looked at the other occupants of the car.
"Remember what I said you two. Do not try and enter the house unless you're going to warn me and Kimura about some incoming forces."
He received nods from Ranma and Ryoga and then turned around and looked at the small radio intercept he had in his hand. He could hear Kimura ring the doorbell.
The Oyabun's house was quite grand by Japanese standards. The house was located three miles outside Tokyo. There were literally no signs of life for within two miles.
Parker chambered a round inside his hand gun just as some voices came over the radio.
*Hello?*
*Hi, my names Kimura, I believe the Oyabun is expecting me.*
*Yes, please come inside.*
There followed a few moments of static before some more voices came over the radio.
*Hello Isamu.* A voice, it must have been the Oyabun's, Phillip thought. He seemed to be regarding Kimura with hostility.
*Greetings Oyabun, how are you this evening?*
*Why are you here?*
*Is there something wrong with my being here?*
Oh shit, Phillip thought. That was the danger signal. Something was wrong.
"Let's go."
He jolted the car door open and took off towards the house. He sprinted across the lawn with Ranma and Ryoga on his heels. Phillip charged and kicked the door, smashing it form it's hinges. There were three men standing in the hallway, all holding small handguns.
Phillip reached back to his waistband and came up with his Berretta. He brought the gun around to bear on the three men and fired two small bursts. Two of the men went down and the third was bringing his gun around to face Phillip. He pushed off the wall and rolled, just as the man fired at the doorway. Phil fired two more rounds at the man as he came out of the roll.
He jumped to his feet and this time Ranma and Ryoga took the lead. They turned and ran into what appeared to be a library.
There, standing in the center of the room were Kimura and the Oyabun. There were some more guards but Ranma and Ryoga took them down before they could even chamber a round in their weapons.
Kimura quickly turned to the Oyabun.
"Where is she?" He said.
"I'm sure I have no idea what you're talking about," the Oyabun said as he took a step backwards.
"Your daughter you son of a bitch, where the hell is Mariko?!" He shouted.
The Oyabun took one look at the four men and then quickly reached into his jacket pocket.
Parker, seeing this, expected the action meant he was reaching for a gun so he brought his gun up, but another shot rang out before he fired.
The Oyabun went down from a shot to the chest, just as Kimura seemed to have been hit in the side.
Parker saw Ryoga dash across the room and slam a guard through the wall with a bone shattering tackle. The guard had come through an adjoining room.
Phil rushed towards the two fallen men and saw that his shot had hit the Oyabun in the head. The whole back of the man's head was a red mess. There was brain matter on the bookshelf. Phil turned and looked at Kimura. He had been hit around his collar bone. Parker squatted down and checked for a pulse. There was one. He was about to stand back up when he heard noise from the end of the room. He spun around and saw a young woman standing at the doorway with a terrified expression on her face.
The young girl saw the scene and looked like she may pass out, but then she seemed to recognize Kimura.
"Oh my god!" she said, almost a wail. She rushed across the room and stood over Kimura.
"Kimura!" she said and then went down to her knees and put her hand onto his wound.
She turned around and looked at Parker for a moment.
Parker turned and looked at Ranma.
"Get Ryoga out of the wall and go call an ambulance."
He turned back and looked at the young girl.
"Christ lady, I sure as hell hope you're that Mariko girl."
===============
The police were on the scene within minutes. Kimura was loaded into an ambulance with the young woman and was driven to a hospital. Phillip, Ranma, and Ryoga were detained at the scene and were subjected to a police interrogation.
But before the police could ask any of them some questions, the lieutenant on the scene received a call on his squad box. He came back to the three detainees and asked to speak to them alone.
He brought them into the house, which by now had the bodies removed from the inside, and led them to what appeared to be the dining room.
"I know exactly what you three were doing here today, and if I had my way I would make sure that you three faced a judge. But, I just received the call that not only was the men you killed members of the Yakuza, but that one of them was the head Oyabun."
He stared at all three of them before going on.
"I doubt that there would be a court in this world that would not feel obliged to the three men that just killed the man responsible for the countless deaths of innocent civilians. I hope you understand that, and I hope I'm getting the message clear that I don't want to ever see you guys or your friend in the ambulance again."
They nodded and turned to leave when the lieutenant stopped Parker.
"There's just one more thing that the message said. I was told that around four in the afternoon today, the Prime Minister received a call from the President of the United States and he asked that if one Major Phillip Sheridan Parker IV happened to fall into police custody, could he please be sent to the nearest secure phone line and allowed to put a call through to the Prime Ministers office. I'll do that now."
Phillip didn't seem especially surprised over the news and he turned to Ranma and Ryoga.
"You guys go on home; I'll be there in a couple of hours."
===============
Phillip arrived back at the Tendo Dojo after four hours of being in police custody. He offered an apology to Mr. Tendo when he was asked to stay for dinner. It was apparent that he had something else on his mind. He asked for a moment of Ranma and Ryoga's time and led them outside the front gate of the Tendo household.
"Is everything alright Phil?" Ranma asked once they had come to a stop.
Phillip looked sadly at the two teenagers and then slowly shook his head.
"I'm to immediately be flown to the carrier Independence, which is now sitting in between Taiwan and China. Once there I will consider myself under arrest and then will be immediately flown back to the States where I will face a general court-martial."
"Oh shit!" Ryoga said.
"Yeah that about covers it," Phillip said sadly. "I checked in on Kimura and he'll be alright. Bullet passed right through him without hitting anything. Oh yeah, the girl at the house was his girl. He was wondering if you might come to see him and to bring Akane and Akari."
Phillip put on a smile that was very evidently forced.
"I'll see you guys later; thank your family in there for me."
He climbed into his jeep and pulled down the street.
===============
"So were heading straight to Independence?" Phillip asked the three uniformed American Navy personnel.
Once he returned to the police station he had been turned over to the custody of the American military. He had been flown to Fukuoka, where he was then placed onto an American EA-6B Prowler.
The Prowler was an aircraft that was included with every aircraft carrier group. The EA-6B is a multi-mission capable platform that couples human interface with a sophisticated electronic warfare package. The Prowler is derived from the two-seater A-6 Intruder attack aircraft. The basic airframe was stretched and strengthened to accommodate a four-seat cockpit. Another distinguishing feature is the pod-shaped fairing at the top of the vertical fin. The heart of the EA-6B is the AN/ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System. The Prowler can carry up to five pods (one belly mounted and two on each wing). Each pod is integrally powered and houses two jamming transmitters that cover one of seven frequency bands. The EA-6B can carry any mix of pods, fuel tanks and/or HARM anti-radiation missiles depending on mission requirements.
It was very unusual to have one sent out with the mission to recover one regular army major.
"Yes sir, once there you will be 'detained'," one of the pilots said with a little humility in his voice.
Parker strained his head around to get a look at the pilot and saw that he was being laughed at. He decided that waiting and seeing what kind of reception he got while on Independence before he made any snap judgments about what would really happen to him.
The landing was pure textbook and Phillip was quickly taken to the Admirals quarters. He marched briskly into Admiral Lowell's office and stood in front of his desk.
"Sir, Major Phillip S. Parker reporting as ordered!" he boomed.
Lowell looked up at him with a mixture of amusement and annoyance.
"This isn't the army Parker, and even so, you aren't even doing it right."
"Sir?" Parker asked, confused. He had not yet lowered his salute. The admiral returned it and then grabbed a folder from his desk. He handed it to Parker.
"I think after reading that you'll understand what you did wrong," Lowell said as Parker read it.
Parker smiled after reading it and then came back to attention.
"Sir, Lieutenant Colonel Phillip S. Parker reporting as ordered," he said with a huge grin. Lowell grinned back and extended his hand.
"Well Colonel, I hope you understand that under the present circumstances we have yet to get you your silver chicken, but I'm sure they'll fix that when you get back to the States."
Parker's face turned into a saddened expression.
Lowell saw this. "What's wrong?"
"I'm sure the Admiral knows about my situation," Parker said. Realization had just dawned on him that he wouldn't even be able to stay in the army long enough to have the lieutenant colonel part added to his title.
"Why yes I do. But I don't see why you are so down about it. If this had happened to me I would be buying everyone in the entire fleet a round of beers."
Parker looked at him in confusion. Lowell handed him another folder. Inside there was three sheets stapled together. They read:
Parker murder case. File #4536225
Lieutenant Colonel Parker, Phillip S. is hereby acquitted of the charges of Article 92. Report comes at 1345 of present day.
Colonel Parker was charged with the act of committing gross and irresponsible actions that resulted in the deaths of seven Japanese citizens. He had been subjected to be sent to Fort Rucker where he would stand before a panel of judges and brought to face up to his actions.
Name below authorizes the acquittal of charges to Lieutenant Colonel Parker.
Bill Rodgers.
Commander of Special Warfare School
Brigadier General Designate
Parker is hereby ordered to temporary duty with the Special Warfare School. He will report to the commanding officer by the 27 October.
The following is quoted from Brigadier General Rodgers:
After pulling your ass from the flames once again Phillip my lad, I realized that for once, it would benefit me. I'm assuming that Admiral Lowell will give this to you at the earliest possible time. After that, you're going to be staying on Independence with the Green Berets that will be flown in later in the day. Once they are dropped off you will be assigned to their unit as second in command and sent with them to Taipei. You will then be responsible for setting up a temporary protective detail for the President of Taiwan. More later. Bill.
Officer's signature below officially assigns officer: Phillip S. Parker, to the Special Warfare School.
Bill Rodgers
Parker looked up at Admiral Lowell.
"Jesus, how the hell could he have pulled this off?"
"Through a whole lot of ass-grinding and ass-kissing I'd imagine," Lowell replied.
"Christ, I can't believe he did that," Parker said.
Lowell looked at him for a moment than he reached underneath his desk and retrieved a bottle of scotch.
"I would like to be the first to congratulate you on your promotion. I just hope that you're becoming a lieutenant colonel by age twenty-nine does not go directly to your head."
"Don't worry admiral, I don't have that much room in my head for such thoughts," Parker said. He took the extended glass and raised his it above his head.
"Absent companions," he said and then took a drink.
"Absent companions," Lowell mirrored and then drank.
Parker looked at Lowell and smiled. In a matter of hours his career had gone from being dead in the water, to being promoted and assigned to a new unit.
===============
Author's Notes: When I first released this chapter, it was a few days before the first anniversary of the September 11th attacks on our country. I did not think I could truthfully write it again, so I decided to simply copy it from the original. It reads as follows:
I'm dedicating this story to BullDog, who went to his grave while in Afghanistan, killed in action. Even if you went before your time, I want you to know you'll always remain my mentor and friend.
To Bill, I hope you finally found that meaning in your life. Killed in action in Afghanistan, seven months ago.
I would also like to take this time to offer my condolences to the people that lost loved ones during the September 11 attacks. The losing of someone you love is a great challenge, and not one that you will soon overcome.
To the soldiers that I have served with and fought alongside. You are my brothers and sisters, my eternal family. May you always be the men and women that protect this country.
To the people of America. There are many things that come with living in America, and it is a privilege that many don't fully understand until the freedom that America gives has been taken away. I hope that everyone out there understands just what it means to put on a uniform and swear an oath to protect your country and defend it against all of its enemies. Remember that being a soldier is not the easy job that is displayed to you in movies and television.
To the intelligence community. I want the people out there to realize that without organizations like the CIA, America would be crippled. Do not hold onto the belief that intelligence officers are evil merciless people that pray on the disgruntled and rape other countries. Intelligence on your enemy is something that is incredibly vital to the overall success of a mission. And although the intelligence community is under fire today, I hold the belief that they are still the credible force they have been for the better part of the century.
And finally, to my comrades in arms that have fallen. You have made the ultimate sacrifice for your country. You have traded your life so that others may live. And that, my friends is the noblest act of them all.
Thank you for your time. Please review and if you want, you can offer an opinion about what I have mentioned above.