Debt of Honor
Chapter 4
Beginning of the End
Ranma looked sadly outside his classroom window. He had told himself that he was way too far behind the rest of the class for him to be daydreaming, but he found his mind wandering constantly.
They had gone to see Kimura in the hospital. He didn't look very good and the girl that sat beside him wasn't very talkative. Ranma had felt a little uncomfortable being there, but he tried to find some comforting words for the man. Akane and Akari were there usual selves and instantly tried to do everything possible to make Mariko feel comfortable with them. It wasn't successful, but they did have her talking at one point.
Ryoga had been his usual stone cold self. The guy had said about two words the whole time. He seemed to be thinking about something, but Ryoga didn't offer Ranma any information and he didn't go searching for it.
He turned his head and gazed at Akane. She was paying rapt attention to the teacher, which was what she usually did. Ranma was stuck with the thought about what he would do if she went away to some college and left him behind. Maybe he should take his father's opinion and marry her before the end of high school. At least that way he would be sure that no guy would hit on her, at least no normal guy would.
His mind drifted to Phillip. He hadn't been gone for more than two days and Ranma was finding himself missing the giant black man. Ranma had never really seen an African-American before, but he wasn't like the most of the other people in Japan, who regarded anyone that was not native to the soil as some evil foreigner bent on destroying their beliefs. Ranma really hoped the man would come back to visit.
Ishii hadn't been by either, and that was strange, Ranma had really begun to regard the man as a friend. Ranma didn't have many friends; and at the moment, Ryoga seemed to be the only man that he knew that just simply hung around because he truthfully like Ranma.
Ranma thought back to the conversation he had had with Ryoga about coming to school. Ryoga had looked at him and then gently but firmly said that he was not the type to go back to school. He would probably get lost and he didn't want to be separated from Akari for a minute. But then Akari had said that she would try and get back to her farm. Ranma realized that he very strongly wanted the two of them to stay in Tokyo. They were a big part of his everyday life now, and he didn't want anything to change.
Ranma sighed and looked up to the front of the class. The teacher was talking again and Ranma tried to keep his mind on the subject being taught. He smiled once he understood what the teacher was talking about. The subject today was Chinese politics. He now knew a lot about that subject.
===============
"Are you sure about this Akari?" Ryoga asked.
"One hundred percent," Akari responded as she finished signing the papers. "I don't think my hearts into this anymore."
Ryoga looked at his soon-to-be wife and frowned. "I just want to make sure your not doing this for my sake."
Akari and Ryoga had not gone to Akari's farm to check up on it. Once they were there, they were met by an investor from the bank of Tokyo. Akari had explained to him that she wanted the farm appraised and to be put up for sale at the soonest opportunity. Akari had told Ryoga that she really didn't want to be a farmer anymore, the city had gotten to her and she wanted to live there. Ryoga had asked her about Katsunishiki, which she had replied, "I love Katsunishiki very much, so much that I understand the best thing to do is give him up to whatever people buy this place, so he can continue his sumo training.
Ryoga didn't want to tell Akari but he was very glad that she had decided to sell the farm. He really didn't want to live his life out in a pig farm. Living in the city with her and in a nice close distance to Ranma and his friends was going to be very nice. Ryoga had never really had that many friends, and now that he did, he was going to do everything in his power to keep them.
He smiled at Akari and thanked the man from the bank and then led her back to the farm. Akari said goodbye to the pigs, and then she gave a teary apology to Katsunishiki. Ryoga than got inside the cab they had waiting for them and drove back into Tokyo and instructed the driver to take them to the Tendo Dojo.
===============
Ranma drummed his fingers on the table as he watched the steady rainfall through the open doors leading into the garden. He was oblivious to the glares he was receiving from the other people at the table.
"Ranma," Nodoka said gently, "is there something on your mind?"
"He's been like this all day aunty," Akane said. Ranma turned to look at her. "It's true," Akane said defensively.
Ranma shrugged. "Just have some things on my mind," he said quietly.
The other family members looked at each other and watched as he went back to drumming his fingers.
There came the sound of a car pulling up to the gate out front. Kasumi got up to go check.
"Oh!" Kasumi's voice came from the front door. "Hello Mr. Inafune."
Ranma immediately leapt to his feet and rushed to the door before the others had a chance to blink.
"Ishii!" Ranma shouted and very enthusiastically grabbed the man's shoulders.
"Hello Ranma," Ishii greeted. "It's very nice to see you again."
"Well come on in buddy, were just having supper," Ranma said and led the young man into the dining room.
Ishii greeted the family members and set a large briefcase beside him as he sat down.
"What's that?" Ranma asked as he plopped down next to him.
"The reason for my visit," Kimura said. He laid the briefcase onto the table and clicked off the safety bolts and opened it up. He extracted some papers and handed them to Ranma.
"Where's Ryoga?" Ishii asked.
"Oh, he went over to Akari's farm earlier, they should be back soon," Ranma said as he looked over the first paper. "Hey! This is Seiji's will."
"Yes," Ishii nodded his head. "Seiji had named you and Ryoga his very good friends and left you some things."
"What about you?" Ranma asked absentmindedly as he read through the document.
"Do not worry about me, I am inheriting all of my mother's assets as well as some of my father's," Ishii said. "I am a little curious as to what he left you two though."
"Holy shit!" Ranma shouted. He raised his eyes from the page he was reading and looked at the others. He handed the papers over to Ishii.
Ishii looked at them:
Subject: Seiji Inafune's Will and Testament.
Subject left one, Ranma Saotome, half ownership of restaurant chain throughout Japan and China. Details upon which restaurants to be controlled will be worked out through one, Ryoga Hibiki and Ishii Inafune. Estimated worth, 34, 567, 876 American dollars.
Subject left one, Ranma Saotome, half ownership over investment banking group in America. Seiji, Kimiko, and Porter. Estimated worth, 345, 569, 690 American dollars. Details upon exact definition to be worked out with one, Ryoga Hibiki and Ishii Inafune.
One, Ranma Saotome, will receive items after Subject has passed and passing confirmed by Insurance Company.
Joan Guddenbacker
Ishii smiled and handed the papers over to Nabiki, who was dying of anxiety to see what Ranma had been given.
"Looks like Seiji was prepared for everything," Ishii said.
The papers made their way around the table until they ended up back at Ranma. He mindlessly took the pen Ishii offered him.
Akane looked a little shocked after reading the paper and she grabbed Ranma's free hand for support. He squeezed it in return.
"I don't know if I'll be comfortable taking this Ishii," Ranma said. Genma nearly chocked on his tea but was silenced by Nodoka.
"It's quite alright Ranma; Seiji wanted you to have this. If it wasn't for either of you, he would still be working for the Yakuza."
Ranma nodded at Ishii's words and looked over at Akane. She appeared to be as confused as Ranma but she gave him a calming smile.
Ranma scrawled his signature at the bottom of the page and handed them back to Ishii. He gave Akane's hand another squeeze and let out a breath.
"What does this mean Ishii?" Ranma asked. He didn't have a very large idea about what he had just signed.
Ishii stuffed the papers back inside the briefcase but left Ryoga's lying on the table. He smiled at Ranma before he got to his feet.
"Everything will be all right Ranma. Just get Ryoga to sign those papers and than we will be able to have a nice peaceful dinner, before we take a little trip to the United States."
He bowed to the other family members and left.
Genma moved around the table and grasped his son's shoulder.
"You've made your father a very proud man," he said.
Ranma glared at his father. "Pop, I'm going to tell you this once. I was named as the beneficiary to those things, not you. Ryoga, Ishii, and I are going to figure all this out."
He grabbed Ryoga's papers and got to his feet. He stormed out of the room with Akane right behind him.
===============
They encountered Ryoga and Akari as they arrived at the front gate.
Ryoga was just paying the taxi driver when Ranma and Akane came running up to them.
"We need to have a little chat," Ranma said to Ryoga and led him to the Dojo.
Akari turned and looked at Akane in confusion.
"What's going on?"
Akane looked at her a little tiredly.
"Ishii came by and he had some papers with him. It seems that Seiji had named Ranma and Ryoga his 'very good friends' and left them some things."
Akari smiled. "How nice. I'm sure whatever he left him, it will be a good help for us."
Akane looked at Akari. Akari smiled.
"I decided to sell the farm. Ryoga and I are going to live in the city," Akari told her proudly.
Akane smiled and gave the girl a hug.
"That's wonderful Akari, now we can go to school together."
Akane decided that it would probably be for the best if Ryoga told Akari about the exact things Seiji had left them.
"Yes, and I'm sure I can convince Ryoga to go to," Akari said.
Akane didn't really know if Ryoga would be up to the idea of going back to school, but she was not about to tell Akari that.
===============
Phillip watched with amusement as the Green Beret team encountered the occupants of the carrier group Independence. The Green Berets were decked out in full gear, including the Green Beret cap, and were carrying their web packs and weapons. At the moment they were inside the cafeteria and having a staring contest with the sailors.
"What are you guys doing here?" one of the sailors asked.
"Were here to stop your guy's mutiny," a Green beret Sergeant answered.
"What mutiny?"
"Oh Jesus, not another goose hunt," the same sergeant said.
Parker walked into the room and received stiff salutes from the Green Beret team. The sailors looked at him but did not render salutes. It just wasn't done. The navy was an entirely different life from army life.
Parker returned the salutes from the team members and looked at the team leader.
"You got your men assembled Captain?"
"Yes sir, we are ready to be deployed," the captain answered.
"Okay, you guys follow me, I'll debrief you inside my quarters," Parker said and walked out of the room. But not before he heard some of the remarks from the other Green Berets.
"Jesus, I think I signed up for the wrong service. These sailors get pizza and steak for supper."
"Must be because their out at sea for so long," a Green Beret master sergeant said.
"Yeah well, I can take six months out at sea if it means I get to have custom made dinners."
Parker laughed silently as he led the team into his quarters. His quarters were actually the commandeered quarters of the ships XO. Admiral Lowell had ordered Parker to find suitable housing for the debriefing of the soldiers once they arrived.
Parker sat down onto a couch and motioned for the soldiers to put their gear onto the floor and sit down in the chairs he had stolen from the mess hall.
"I'm not entirely sure just what you know about why you're here, but I'm going to attempt to explain it," Parker told the assembled troops.
"We are going to be airlifted into Taipei, where we are going to be assigned as part of the protective detail for Taiwanese President Lee. President Lee is going on a trip to America and it has been reported that the Chinese are going to attempt to assassinate him on his trip from his house to the plane that he will be taking to America. All were going to be doing is ensuring that the surrounding area of Lee's route is safe and that there is no chance for someone to get a clear shot at Lee."
Parker looked at the faces of the Green Berets and saw they were stone faced.
"We will be taking the Huey that brought you in later today. Until then, try not to start any fights with the sailors."
The troops laughed as they saluted and walked out of the room.
Parker smiled to himself and looked outside the window.
It may not be what I expected, but I'm finally getting control of some troops.
===============
As the Politburo met for the sixth time that day, the previously empty seat of Jingshu was now filled with the body of his aide, Xian Ling.
Zhisheng felt very nauseous. He had gotten the report earlier in the day about the events in Japan. He was now going to have to face the wrath of the Politburo.
After the others gave their reports on the usual boring political material, Zhisheng stood up.
"I'm afraid that I have some terrible news comrades," he said gravely. "I received a report earlier today stating that the head member of the Yakuza and other members were shot and killed inside their home."
"How did this happen?" Premier Renyang asked.
"It seems that there was a betrayer in the group and he went to the Americans and told them everything. The report tells me that an American major was detained on the scene but was released and is now out of the country."
Zhisheng looked at the faces of the men that surrounded him and saw the looks on their faces. Fear.
"I also have the sad duty of reporting that the American carrier group Independence and Nimitz, are now located in coastal waters of Taiwan," he paused. "The Americans know of our plans to assassinate the Taiwanese President."
Renyang looked furious for a moment but then his face softened.
"Sit down Zhisheng," he said softly.
"The Americans may know what we are planning on doing but that doesn't matter. Even if they wanted to try and stop us, they couldn't. Two aircraft carriers are hardly enough to stop the millions of soldiers we have ready to invade Taiwan."
"Are you talking about actually going after the Americans?" Zhisheng asked incredulously.
"Only if they prove it necessary," Renyang said. "If they wish to play peacemaker, than we will force them out of that role."
Zhisheng spoke up. "Comrade, I do not think that is wise. Remember what happened in the Korean War. The Americans taught us a lesson there, and they would likely do the same if we decided to attack now. I believe we should just go after Taiwan and leave the Americans alone."
Renyang looked at him with amusement.
"That is what I want to do as well Zhisheng, but if the Americans prove to be a real threat, then we will have no choice but to try and eliminate that threat," Renyang said.
Renyang did not know at the moment, but he had just changed his country forever.
===============
Author's Notes: There is an indefinite amount of time before I am to be given my new assignment. I have been hoping for an assignment that will allow me to stay in Washington, but it looks as if I may be sent overseas again. Weapons inspectors are being admitted into Iraqi again and I may have to go over there to supervise things.
But don't worry, this will do nothing to stall my writing of Until the End, because my wife has heroically stepped up and agreed to do the writing again if I am indeed sent overseas again.
Thanks to everyone that has read this far, and a special thanks to everyone that has written a review.
Ranma looked sadly outside his classroom window. He had told himself that he was way too far behind the rest of the class for him to be daydreaming, but he found his mind wandering constantly.
They had gone to see Kimura in the hospital. He didn't look very good and the girl that sat beside him wasn't very talkative. Ranma had felt a little uncomfortable being there, but he tried to find some comforting words for the man. Akane and Akari were there usual selves and instantly tried to do everything possible to make Mariko feel comfortable with them. It wasn't successful, but they did have her talking at one point.
Ryoga had been his usual stone cold self. The guy had said about two words the whole time. He seemed to be thinking about something, but Ryoga didn't offer Ranma any information and he didn't go searching for it.
He turned his head and gazed at Akane. She was paying rapt attention to the teacher, which was what she usually did. Ranma was stuck with the thought about what he would do if she went away to some college and left him behind. Maybe he should take his father's opinion and marry her before the end of high school. At least that way he would be sure that no guy would hit on her, at least no normal guy would.
His mind drifted to Phillip. He hadn't been gone for more than two days and Ranma was finding himself missing the giant black man. Ranma had never really seen an African-American before, but he wasn't like the most of the other people in Japan, who regarded anyone that was not native to the soil as some evil foreigner bent on destroying their beliefs. Ranma really hoped the man would come back to visit.
Ishii hadn't been by either, and that was strange, Ranma had really begun to regard the man as a friend. Ranma didn't have many friends; and at the moment, Ryoga seemed to be the only man that he knew that just simply hung around because he truthfully like Ranma.
Ranma thought back to the conversation he had had with Ryoga about coming to school. Ryoga had looked at him and then gently but firmly said that he was not the type to go back to school. He would probably get lost and he didn't want to be separated from Akari for a minute. But then Akari had said that she would try and get back to her farm. Ranma realized that he very strongly wanted the two of them to stay in Tokyo. They were a big part of his everyday life now, and he didn't want anything to change.
Ranma sighed and looked up to the front of the class. The teacher was talking again and Ranma tried to keep his mind on the subject being taught. He smiled once he understood what the teacher was talking about. The subject today was Chinese politics. He now knew a lot about that subject.
===============
"Are you sure about this Akari?" Ryoga asked.
"One hundred percent," Akari responded as she finished signing the papers. "I don't think my hearts into this anymore."
Ryoga looked at his soon-to-be wife and frowned. "I just want to make sure your not doing this for my sake."
Akari and Ryoga had not gone to Akari's farm to check up on it. Once they were there, they were met by an investor from the bank of Tokyo. Akari had explained to him that she wanted the farm appraised and to be put up for sale at the soonest opportunity. Akari had told Ryoga that she really didn't want to be a farmer anymore, the city had gotten to her and she wanted to live there. Ryoga had asked her about Katsunishiki, which she had replied, "I love Katsunishiki very much, so much that I understand the best thing to do is give him up to whatever people buy this place, so he can continue his sumo training.
Ryoga didn't want to tell Akari but he was very glad that she had decided to sell the farm. He really didn't want to live his life out in a pig farm. Living in the city with her and in a nice close distance to Ranma and his friends was going to be very nice. Ryoga had never really had that many friends, and now that he did, he was going to do everything in his power to keep them.
He smiled at Akari and thanked the man from the bank and then led her back to the farm. Akari said goodbye to the pigs, and then she gave a teary apology to Katsunishiki. Ryoga than got inside the cab they had waiting for them and drove back into Tokyo and instructed the driver to take them to the Tendo Dojo.
===============
Ranma drummed his fingers on the table as he watched the steady rainfall through the open doors leading into the garden. He was oblivious to the glares he was receiving from the other people at the table.
"Ranma," Nodoka said gently, "is there something on your mind?"
"He's been like this all day aunty," Akane said. Ranma turned to look at her. "It's true," Akane said defensively.
Ranma shrugged. "Just have some things on my mind," he said quietly.
The other family members looked at each other and watched as he went back to drumming his fingers.
There came the sound of a car pulling up to the gate out front. Kasumi got up to go check.
"Oh!" Kasumi's voice came from the front door. "Hello Mr. Inafune."
Ranma immediately leapt to his feet and rushed to the door before the others had a chance to blink.
"Ishii!" Ranma shouted and very enthusiastically grabbed the man's shoulders.
"Hello Ranma," Ishii greeted. "It's very nice to see you again."
"Well come on in buddy, were just having supper," Ranma said and led the young man into the dining room.
Ishii greeted the family members and set a large briefcase beside him as he sat down.
"What's that?" Ranma asked as he plopped down next to him.
"The reason for my visit," Kimura said. He laid the briefcase onto the table and clicked off the safety bolts and opened it up. He extracted some papers and handed them to Ranma.
"Where's Ryoga?" Ishii asked.
"Oh, he went over to Akari's farm earlier, they should be back soon," Ranma said as he looked over the first paper. "Hey! This is Seiji's will."
"Yes," Ishii nodded his head. "Seiji had named you and Ryoga his very good friends and left you some things."
"What about you?" Ranma asked absentmindedly as he read through the document.
"Do not worry about me, I am inheriting all of my mother's assets as well as some of my father's," Ishii said. "I am a little curious as to what he left you two though."
"Holy shit!" Ranma shouted. He raised his eyes from the page he was reading and looked at the others. He handed the papers over to Ishii.
Ishii looked at them:
Subject: Seiji Inafune's Will and Testament.
Subject left one, Ranma Saotome, half ownership of restaurant chain throughout Japan and China. Details upon which restaurants to be controlled will be worked out through one, Ryoga Hibiki and Ishii Inafune. Estimated worth, 34, 567, 876 American dollars.
Subject left one, Ranma Saotome, half ownership over investment banking group in America. Seiji, Kimiko, and Porter. Estimated worth, 345, 569, 690 American dollars. Details upon exact definition to be worked out with one, Ryoga Hibiki and Ishii Inafune.
One, Ranma Saotome, will receive items after Subject has passed and passing confirmed by Insurance Company.
Joan Guddenbacker
Ishii smiled and handed the papers over to Nabiki, who was dying of anxiety to see what Ranma had been given.
"Looks like Seiji was prepared for everything," Ishii said.
The papers made their way around the table until they ended up back at Ranma. He mindlessly took the pen Ishii offered him.
Akane looked a little shocked after reading the paper and she grabbed Ranma's free hand for support. He squeezed it in return.
"I don't know if I'll be comfortable taking this Ishii," Ranma said. Genma nearly chocked on his tea but was silenced by Nodoka.
"It's quite alright Ranma; Seiji wanted you to have this. If it wasn't for either of you, he would still be working for the Yakuza."
Ranma nodded at Ishii's words and looked over at Akane. She appeared to be as confused as Ranma but she gave him a calming smile.
Ranma scrawled his signature at the bottom of the page and handed them back to Ishii. He gave Akane's hand another squeeze and let out a breath.
"What does this mean Ishii?" Ranma asked. He didn't have a very large idea about what he had just signed.
Ishii stuffed the papers back inside the briefcase but left Ryoga's lying on the table. He smiled at Ranma before he got to his feet.
"Everything will be all right Ranma. Just get Ryoga to sign those papers and than we will be able to have a nice peaceful dinner, before we take a little trip to the United States."
He bowed to the other family members and left.
Genma moved around the table and grasped his son's shoulder.
"You've made your father a very proud man," he said.
Ranma glared at his father. "Pop, I'm going to tell you this once. I was named as the beneficiary to those things, not you. Ryoga, Ishii, and I are going to figure all this out."
He grabbed Ryoga's papers and got to his feet. He stormed out of the room with Akane right behind him.
===============
They encountered Ryoga and Akari as they arrived at the front gate.
Ryoga was just paying the taxi driver when Ranma and Akane came running up to them.
"We need to have a little chat," Ranma said to Ryoga and led him to the Dojo.
Akari turned and looked at Akane in confusion.
"What's going on?"
Akane looked at her a little tiredly.
"Ishii came by and he had some papers with him. It seems that Seiji had named Ranma and Ryoga his 'very good friends' and left them some things."
Akari smiled. "How nice. I'm sure whatever he left him, it will be a good help for us."
Akane looked at Akari. Akari smiled.
"I decided to sell the farm. Ryoga and I are going to live in the city," Akari told her proudly.
Akane smiled and gave the girl a hug.
"That's wonderful Akari, now we can go to school together."
Akane decided that it would probably be for the best if Ryoga told Akari about the exact things Seiji had left them.
"Yes, and I'm sure I can convince Ryoga to go to," Akari said.
Akane didn't really know if Ryoga would be up to the idea of going back to school, but she was not about to tell Akari that.
===============
Phillip watched with amusement as the Green Beret team encountered the occupants of the carrier group Independence. The Green Berets were decked out in full gear, including the Green Beret cap, and were carrying their web packs and weapons. At the moment they were inside the cafeteria and having a staring contest with the sailors.
"What are you guys doing here?" one of the sailors asked.
"Were here to stop your guy's mutiny," a Green beret Sergeant answered.
"What mutiny?"
"Oh Jesus, not another goose hunt," the same sergeant said.
Parker walked into the room and received stiff salutes from the Green Beret team. The sailors looked at him but did not render salutes. It just wasn't done. The navy was an entirely different life from army life.
Parker returned the salutes from the team members and looked at the team leader.
"You got your men assembled Captain?"
"Yes sir, we are ready to be deployed," the captain answered.
"Okay, you guys follow me, I'll debrief you inside my quarters," Parker said and walked out of the room. But not before he heard some of the remarks from the other Green Berets.
"Jesus, I think I signed up for the wrong service. These sailors get pizza and steak for supper."
"Must be because their out at sea for so long," a Green Beret master sergeant said.
"Yeah well, I can take six months out at sea if it means I get to have custom made dinners."
Parker laughed silently as he led the team into his quarters. His quarters were actually the commandeered quarters of the ships XO. Admiral Lowell had ordered Parker to find suitable housing for the debriefing of the soldiers once they arrived.
Parker sat down onto a couch and motioned for the soldiers to put their gear onto the floor and sit down in the chairs he had stolen from the mess hall.
"I'm not entirely sure just what you know about why you're here, but I'm going to attempt to explain it," Parker told the assembled troops.
"We are going to be airlifted into Taipei, where we are going to be assigned as part of the protective detail for Taiwanese President Lee. President Lee is going on a trip to America and it has been reported that the Chinese are going to attempt to assassinate him on his trip from his house to the plane that he will be taking to America. All were going to be doing is ensuring that the surrounding area of Lee's route is safe and that there is no chance for someone to get a clear shot at Lee."
Parker looked at the faces of the Green Berets and saw they were stone faced.
"We will be taking the Huey that brought you in later today. Until then, try not to start any fights with the sailors."
The troops laughed as they saluted and walked out of the room.
Parker smiled to himself and looked outside the window.
It may not be what I expected, but I'm finally getting control of some troops.
===============
As the Politburo met for the sixth time that day, the previously empty seat of Jingshu was now filled with the body of his aide, Xian Ling.
Zhisheng felt very nauseous. He had gotten the report earlier in the day about the events in Japan. He was now going to have to face the wrath of the Politburo.
After the others gave their reports on the usual boring political material, Zhisheng stood up.
"I'm afraid that I have some terrible news comrades," he said gravely. "I received a report earlier today stating that the head member of the Yakuza and other members were shot and killed inside their home."
"How did this happen?" Premier Renyang asked.
"It seems that there was a betrayer in the group and he went to the Americans and told them everything. The report tells me that an American major was detained on the scene but was released and is now out of the country."
Zhisheng looked at the faces of the men that surrounded him and saw the looks on their faces. Fear.
"I also have the sad duty of reporting that the American carrier group Independence and Nimitz, are now located in coastal waters of Taiwan," he paused. "The Americans know of our plans to assassinate the Taiwanese President."
Renyang looked furious for a moment but then his face softened.
"Sit down Zhisheng," he said softly.
"The Americans may know what we are planning on doing but that doesn't matter. Even if they wanted to try and stop us, they couldn't. Two aircraft carriers are hardly enough to stop the millions of soldiers we have ready to invade Taiwan."
"Are you talking about actually going after the Americans?" Zhisheng asked incredulously.
"Only if they prove it necessary," Renyang said. "If they wish to play peacemaker, than we will force them out of that role."
Zhisheng spoke up. "Comrade, I do not think that is wise. Remember what happened in the Korean War. The Americans taught us a lesson there, and they would likely do the same if we decided to attack now. I believe we should just go after Taiwan and leave the Americans alone."
Renyang looked at him with amusement.
"That is what I want to do as well Zhisheng, but if the Americans prove to be a real threat, then we will have no choice but to try and eliminate that threat," Renyang said.
Renyang did not know at the moment, but he had just changed his country forever.
===============
Author's Notes: There is an indefinite amount of time before I am to be given my new assignment. I have been hoping for an assignment that will allow me to stay in Washington, but it looks as if I may be sent overseas again. Weapons inspectors are being admitted into Iraqi again and I may have to go over there to supervise things.
But don't worry, this will do nothing to stall my writing of Until the End, because my wife has heroically stepped up and agreed to do the writing again if I am indeed sent overseas again.
Thanks to everyone that has read this far, and a special thanks to everyone that has written a review.