Plura Ater Nox

Chapter 12

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Sighing, Chelsea stretched out her tired fingers, trying to avoid cracking her knuckles, for it would be very unladylike of her if she were to. She still heard her mother's voice echoing in her brain, telling her to be dainty, not to do anything masculine for it would scare the guys around her and her potential for acquiring a suitable escort and suitor for marriage would be severely impeded by her lack of femininity. She also sat properly. That is with her ankle crossed and her skirt falling just short of touching her ankle, about mid-way between her knees and ankles, neatly pressed. Her blouse fell softly against her gentle flowing hourglass figure, which he mother stressed was important. It would accentuate Chelsea's delicate features, watering down her intimidating level of intelligence.

The young secretary scowled in resentment at the last thought. She always hated the way her sweet naïve yet orthodox mother would push on her ideals that oppressed females, making them docile slaves to men, nothing more than eye candy and sex toys, with the sole purpose of breeding and slaving vainly behind the stove for no reward.

Her job, her career of choice, she knew, would likely push all prospective suitors away, simply because she was what was known as a self-made women who wouldn't need a guy. In other words, simply put, a spinster, someone who should sit behind a desk, typing diligently away at the type writer, not doing anything else, stuck in a dead-end job because she was too stubborn to accept her place in society. She hated the fact that there wasn't room for her to climb as the most incompetent, maladroit harlequins grasped positions they were unworthy of; jobs she could do in the blink of an eye. But because she was a woman, she was seen as the weak, incompetent one, unable to handle a man's job.

Sighing, she resigned to continuing the monotony of her job. At least she had one and she was in demand. She also was aware of the fact that it was simply because the men were off fighting yet another war and women were the next available resource the country had to keep the economy functioning. Also, to prevent it from falling into a recession and having to suffer the throes of yet another depression. They had just finish the one of the thirties. They hadn't been as badly affected as the Americans, whom had been hit the hardest by the Great Depression.

Diligently typing up a document for the general, she glanced up from the page at the oncoming sound of footsteps that approached her desk from the long, narrow corridor leading up to the strategy rooms and the general's opulent office. She didn't at first recognise the approaching man, but when he came into view, she noted him to be one of the badly whipped scouts that worked under the command of the merciless captain.

Warmly she smiled, as she ought to not because she simply felt like it. She greeted him with a statement of welcoming. "Hello, Captain Andreas is in a meeting now sir, is there anything I can help you with? I could always hand your document to him when he's done, sir."

'Jackass!' She thought, eyeing him with utmost resent. She couldn't stand the scouts that had been hired to be at the disposal of Captain Andreas. She didn't mind the commanding officer; he didn't go anywhere near her unless it was to give her work. Work was a relief from the sexist remarks and the chauvinist attitudes all because she simply decided she didn't want to hold a stereotypical role in society doing so-called, colourfully dubbed: women's work.

"Oh, he isn't out of the meeting at the time?" The scout appeared despondent by that. Here he had such great information he had acquired and he couldn't even go thrust it into the grapevine and make waves.

He sighed resignedly, not liking this. He turned to face the young woman. He didn't like the concept of women working. They were only there to serve men and meant to be behind the stove, raising children, not doing this. He furthermore didn't trust her not to bumble up the information he had. It was organised in the most effective way and he didn't trust her not to do anything to wreck it.

He spoke in the most impolite manner, with pre-eminent sarcasm. "Can I at least know when he's going to be done or is that confidential information?!"

"If you are going to talk to me like that, sir, then I won't be of any service. Perhaps if you had asked politely, I would have provided the necessary information." Chelsea retorted with a firm tone, not raising her voice. It wouldn't have been ladylike of her if she had. As she spoke, in the back of her mind, she could hear her mother chiding her for being crude towards a man. She could hear the echoing nagging, forcing her to be submissive and the little perfect lady in the office place.

"Look here lady, skip on this and just tell me where the hell I can find him! It's fucking important and I don't trust you not to fuck it up."

"Since you've degraded yourself in your vocabulary sir, I feel no desire to accommodate your needs at this time."

"Look here, I'm here on--"

"I don't care, now kindly leave the papers for Captain Andreas and show yourself to the door before I call the MPs in to escort you out."

Chelsea stood up, holding the radio microphone in hand. "I have given you your warning, now you have ten seconds to leave the papers on the desk and leave unless you're going to be patient and not be needlessly rude toward me."

The scout cursed her out in a mutter before thrusting the papers down on her desk and briskly strutting out. Glancing back, he stated. "If not for the war, you'd be where you belong behind the damn stove like a good little bitch."

"Get out now, sir!" Her voice climbed an octave and her green eyes flared. On her foot, hidden by the desk but not by her sheer stockings, a red character flared to life on her foot. Confidence had been built up in her.

Her eyes narrowed. "I needn't tell you that you should leave now?! If you don't you certainly won't have your chance to speak with Captain Andreas."

Her heightened defences raised the level of her chi. It drew someone out of the conference room. It wasn't the blonde captain, but rather his ally, Captain Stonewall. The regal man strolled over, placing a hand on Chelsea's shoulder. "Have a seat Miss Chelsea, I'll see that this bothersome gentleman is escorted out."

"Thank you, sir."

Captain Stonewall turned to face the scout. "You didn't have to be rude to her, she's doing her job, not seeking confrontation. I may have been in meeting, but I was merely observing, I heard the way you spoke with her. It was most rude and unacceptable. Now, you have the choice to leave or I will kill you."

Beneath the concealing high-collar of his jacket, a red character came to life. It didn't show, but to the young lady, she could sense the calm man's anger with the scout. She remembered vaguely a chi matching his. It belonged to a man who had ruled a peaceful country that sought to avoid war with neighbouring Kutou.

She sighed. 'Hotohori-sama.'

Once the scout had vanished, the captained turned to face the young lady. "Your chi, it's exceptional. I don't know why, but I've never felt it touch my so sharply before. Andreas surely noticed as well." He paused for a moment. "Forgive my personal intrusive question, but do you by chance have a character like this on your body." He pulled his collar down, revealing the slowing character of star on his next.

"So...I would be right in calling you Hotohori-sama, right sir?" Chelsea asked reluctantly, her gaze at the ground. A small meek blush crept over her cheeks as she spoke. She didn't know if she would be right or not, she feared repercussions for any overly conclusive statements she might make.

He nodded. "You're not off at all, you're quite right, Miss Chelsea." He smiled warmly, he friendly eyes glinting with the familiar warm spark she was used to seeing, especially when she had first been introduced to the emperor as Chiriko in her past life.

She didn't have a chance to speak before the captain spoke more. "Miss Chelsea, you do seem to know who I am, perhaps I could know who you were. I recognise your chi as being one of the Suzaku, but I was far too inclined on getting that man to depart that I failed to read yours correctly."

"Chiriko, sir."

"Our Chiriko, the young genius?" The captain brushed a hand over the young lady's face, memorising her facial details. "You're still just as youthful in your looks. I gather you discovered the strength of your intelligence at a young age, especially since you are working for such a high-ranking military man."

"Yes sir, I did. My mother felt intimidated by it, saying I ought to be meek and act 'properly' around men so that I shan't scare them with my intellect. She fears it would have impeded on my chances of getting a husband and that it would crush my femininity, making me into something of a masculine caricature." Chelsea scornfully remarked, though not intending to speak ill of her mother but rather of her situation, thoughts and beliefs.

She sighed. "I do love my mother dearly, I just think she lives too much in the nineteenth century though."

"Many do fear the changing times, especially now during the war where we have women doing what only men used to before. I don't mind; it's certainly refreshing. I find women are more efficient in some fields, making up for what was lacked." He brushed a soft thumb over her delicate, silky skin.

"Your words are most kind, sir." She flushed moderately at his statement.

"No, they are simply true." He replied. He then promptly changed the thread of thought with an opening question. "Would you be interested in helping with some strategic military planning. I remember you having quite the sharp mind for planning the route to Hokkan. We could use your valuable resource.

"Also, you made mention of a gentleman by the name of Brennan Mackenzie in the same phrase that you had mentioned something of the IRA. Before I bring you into the room, I need to know what the relation between this gentleman and the IRA is.

"Perhaps, if you can, try and think of other names related to him and that...militant group of unscrupulous rebels."

"Brennan Mackenzie is an IRA fighter. He happens to be the young man courting me, or so he says. He claims to, but it isn't the case. But in either case, there is another young man by the name of Séamus Kennedy who also has connections with the IRA. He isn't actually a fighter; he's more of an assassin. Both though are excellent fighters." Chelsea smiled sweetly as she spoke.

"Also, so you're not shocked, sir. Brennan is likely Tasuki. I don't know which twin Séamus would be; it's difficult to tell. So you know, you'd be getting a Suzaku and a Seiryuu to help with the campaign."

"Tasuki." A thin, amused smile crept over his lips. "He's always a fighter, no matter what time and age he's in."

Author's Notes: There is still more to come. I think it'll be quite a few chapters before an ending lurks on the horizon, so you don't have to be disappointed about this piece ending too early.

I think now I should make some notes or at least give a cast listing for you people now. You've made it this far, and as you can likely tell, I'm not going to be adding new characters after this point. So, it's now my rightful duty to present to you the cast listing, which shall hopefully give you an idea of who's who. It's broken down into groups. I hope everyone isn't disappointed. Some of the characters listed, haven't made a direct appearance yet or haven't at all and come in in later chapters.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Allies

Nakago - Captain JC Andreas

Hotohori - Captain Russell Stonewall

Amiboshi - Jeremiah Dallas (ex-private)

Chiriko - Chelsea Llwellyn (secretary)

Mitsukake - General Dwight Marshall

Chichiri - Marcus Faulkner (monk/war veteran)

IRA

Suboshi - Séamus Kennedy (assassin)

Tasuki - Brennan Mackenzie

POWs/Résistance

Soi - Aimée Beauregard

Nuriko - Angelique St Pierre

Tomite - Achan Stern (Jewish boy)

Iname - Arielle Stern (Jewish girl)

Germans

Tomo - Lieutenant Johan Van Eyke

Ashitare - Aaron Schnip (Gestapo officer)

Miboshi - Wherther Yorck (German spy)

Hikitsu - Albrecht Kepler (SS Officer)

White Rose

Subaru - Elisabet Schuldich

Tokaki - Theodor Dietrich

Tatara - Nickolaus Wendell