Chapter Thirty-Five - Lead The Way, Earthian
***
Aiyana was at the crux of a dilemma.
On the one hand, she could run off and try to find the ginzuishou on her own. King Endymion had said something about a connection between his power and his wife's, and she was sure that if she fired off enough impulses, she would be able to discover the location of the ginzuishou. Usa was not talking to her at this point, and she wasn't sure she wanted to venture past the stone wall the girl had erected against her.
On the other hand, Usa was only thirteen. She might be able to reason with her, console her, and eventually get her to lead her to where the ginzuishou was kept. It would help her out a great deal - she wouldn't have to search blindly for it. Usa might also be more cooperative for future endeavors if Aiyana strove to work with her.
She took a few steps over toward the bed where Usa had thrown herself after her fit, but was stopped mid-step by an announcement made in sloppy- telekinesis - it was half-telekinetic, half-shouted. "All Omega Empire personnel from Zeta level up please report to the main throne room of the palace."
Aiyana sighed, shooting a glance at Usa. "I have to go," she said.
"Get out of here!" Usa sobbed, seeming to just notice that Aiyana was still in her bedroom.
She nodded and acquiesced, softly closing the door behind her. As an afterthought, she created a seal around the door with some of her inherited powers - weak enough so that it wouldn't be picked up by a Zeta sensor, but strong enough so that Usa would have to have another episode with the ginzuishou to break it down. She then headed towards the throne room.
The Zeta scientists in the room were chattering animatedly, discussing what they thought they would do with the newfound power in the room. The Epsilon soldiers were bored.
The Delta were their silent selves, waiting for new orders and information from the Omega.
The Omega were the most comfortable members of the room. The emperor was seated in the grand throne the queen frequented, the prince seated next to him in the king's throne. Aiyana strolled in the room, obviously later than everyone else, because the emperor's eyes brightened as he watched her enter. He waited until she had strolled all the way across the room, taking her place at the head of the military - front line, first in rank - before he cleared his throat and called for order.
"Before I began, I'd like a report from each of the Delta. Half of you I haven't seen all day. Where have you been and what have you been doing?" He turned his eyes to Delta Khalidah. "You first, First Delta."
Aiyana took a moment before she answered, moistening her lips. "Sealing the princess into her bedroom."
"It took you that long?" Prince Tamashiiro interrupted.
"Yes." She turned her violet stare to the prince. "She tried to start a fistfight with me."
"Losing your touch, Delta Khalidah?" asked Second Delta Hojo, rather amused. The rest of the rank chuckled, lightly but maliciously.
Delta Khalidah turned a glare down the rest of the line, but it cleared, and she smiled. "No. It just took me quite a while to apprehend her while trying not to hurt her. The urge was strong. As it is now." Her eyes flickered violet.
Delta Hojo was taken aback. He clamped his mouth shut.
Emperor Omega held in a smile as he turned his attention to the rest of the Delta, getting reports from each. The top three (below Aiyana, that is) were doing research, and the other three were practicing their judo on each other.
The emperor nodded as he finished with the Seventh Delta. "Good," he said. "I don't know much you've heard, but the Zeta detected an important and powerful power source in the palace. They've divined the location and found this little gem-" Emperor Omega gestured to his son, and Tamashiiro held up the small silver crystal.
Aiyana struggled not to groan out loud. ~Chikuso,~ she thought.
"The Maboroshi no Ginzuishou." The name rolled much more easily off his tongue than it did from anyone else's - the Alphan tongue was definitely not made to handle the Japanese language. The Andromedan tongue was only slightly better.
"This tiny gem has unlimited power - limited only through the limitations of its user. Unfortunately, we don't have much information besides that on the ginzuishou." He swept his gaze over the seven Delta, letting it rest on Aiyana longer than anyone else. She stiffened.
"Has anyone found any other information about this?"
Aiyana debated. Should she speak? Any information she gave might be a crucial piece that would help the Alphas. Yet it would seem weird if she had been here seven months and had not found any information about the ginzuishou.
"It's an item that has been passed down in the Moon Queen's line for centuries," she said, raising her eyes to the emperor. "It's connected to the legend of the White Moon Kingdom-" Aiyana chuckled as she realized that the story King Endymion had told her earlier *was* the legend of the White Moon Kingdom. The story was true. "-but obviously, this gem is not a myth, as I believed." She shrugged. "I would have done more serious investigation on it, but the palace was inaccessible, and I didn't know it really existed in any event."
"Do you realize what this means?" one of the Zeta - thirteenth, by his place in line - exclaimed excitedly. "We can run tests - make super- Alphans - do all sorts of things with this wonderful gem! The Psi's powers will be increased a hundredfold! And, if there's any other sort of magical- "
"Hush," said the First Zeta. The Thirteenth Zeta fell silent.
"I'll give you all three hours. During the three hours the Zeta and Delta both have tasks. Zeta, I expect you to come up with a plan of action regarding this precious gem. Second Omega Prince Tamashiiro will give the First Zeta the crystal. He alone should handle the crystal, and with utmost care.
"Delta, you have three hours to find as much information - history, makeup, anything - about the Marbososhi - the masalbochi - the malabrokotchi-"
"Maboroshi no Ginzuishou."
"Yes," Emperor Omega said, shooting a half-affectionate look at his son. "How can you pronounce that so well?"
Tamashiiro shrugged - a little too quickly for Aiyana's liking. She narrowed her eyes.
"What does that mean?" the emperor asked, surveying the group before him.
"Literally translated, 'silver water crystal of illusions'. The closest translation possible."
The other six Delta peered at Aiyana.
The emperor looked at her strangely, then smiled slyly. "Research pairs. Seventh and Sixth, Fifth and Fourth, Third and Second...and First Delta Khalidah, you will research alongside Prince Tamashiiro. Seeing as he was the Second Delta and your former partner in any case." He regarded the crew closely. "You are dismissed."
The blockade broke up, striding in all different directions. Delta Khalidah walked up to Prince Tamashiiro and eyed him carefully. "Let's go."
He raised an eyebrow, turned on his heel, and icily walked from the room without saying a word.
Aiyana rolled her eyes. Males!
***
"This library is divided by subject," Aiyana explained, pointing through the vast library. One other pair of Delta had decided to come to this building. The other two were hunting through the specialized libraries on the fourth floor. "This wing has the histories of many great cultures as well as other social studies...Omega Prince Tamashiiro, are you listening?"
"Not really," the prince admitted, turning his hazel stare upon Aiyana. It was so painful she had to turn away. "You were always the strong suit in research. I just did the actions."
"You're going to have to help me. This library is much bigger than the one at home in Andromeda." Aiyana had to struggle to append the words 'at home' to Andromeda. ~This is my home now,~ she thought.
Tamashiiro rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "Lead the way, Earthian."
Aiyana whipped around to face Tamashiiro. "What did you call me?" Her eyes flashed violet.
Tamashiiro threw his hands up, and he actually looked frightened for a second - or at least startled. "Earthian. You've spent so much time here, I would think you were the authority on Earthian history." He chuckled. "At least I didn't call you a human."
Aiyana pointed a slender finger in the prince's face, making him lean backwards from her. She leaned over his much taller form far enough so that her blue eyes bored into his hazel ones, trying hard to ignore the resemblance he bore to her daughter. It was so strong!
"You know something about me, Andromedan," she snarled, spitting the last word like bitter hemlock. "I'll find out what it is before this mission is over."
"You'd better get that finger out of my face, Earthian," Tamashiiro snarled back, closing his fingers around Aiyana's one and gently pushing it away - the gentleness a calculated control of power. "You may have had the upper hand for those few months, but remember, I'm the head dog now." He started to say more, but he let his eyes carry the warning.
Aiyana kept hers trained on his, and surprisingly, he turned away first.
~How could this monster be the father of my sweet little Mikomi-chan?~ she thought despairingly. Tamashiiro must never find out about her.
"Let's go, Aiyana," he said, deliberately using her first name. It was a sign of either disrespect or closeness in the military to use a comrade's first name. Tamashiiro had no permission, so the intended was disrespect.
Aiyana shrugged. Military titles meant nothing to her now. She led him to the alphabetical card catalog and flipped through until she found a selection of titles about Crystal Tokyo history. She pulled them out and shoved them in the prince's arms.
"Here," she said. "Go find these volumes. Or do you not know how to use the decimal system?"
Tamashiiro was taken aback by the curt order as well as the insulting question. Aiyana had never acted quite so boldly before. Her earlier outburst about his implied knowledge of her birth was out of character for the timid little mouse, and this too was an anomaly. Even when she was First Delta and he was Second, she had to feed her instructions through him to the other Delta - which usually resulted in them being altered or altogether trashed and rewritten. He'd thought that her cold quip to Second Delta Hojo was hilarious, but when her sarcasm was directed towards him, it wasn't quite so funny.
"Do you?"
"Don't be stupid, prince."
"Don't order me around, Earthian."
She ignored the last and worked with the rest of the catalog. Why oh why did the emperor pair him with his stupid insubordinate son?!
Aiyana found all her volumes first and plunked them on the table. She was studying them when she felt someone's stare on her back. Turning around, she noticed Prince Tamashiiro looking nervously at her, but as soon as he caught her looking, his stare turned into a glare and he whipped back around to his work.
The episode repeated itself three times before Aiyana finally slapped the pages of the book she was reading, raising herself to her full height. "Damnit, you arrogant kisama, just admit you don't know how to use the damn decimal system!"
"I can use the decimal system! I found the damn books!"
"What is it, then? Can't you read?"
Tamashiiro opened his mouth to scream some more, but closed it as he realized protesting loudly wouldn't solve anything. "I can read."
"Just not Japanese."
"This book isn't written in any of the kana systems we were taught in low military.*"
"Their important government documents are written in the kana. What kind of book is that?"
"Non-fiction."
"Yes. In enjoyment books, they use kanji. The kanji characters are based more on ideas than sounds. Phonetic systems won't work since different kanji carry different connotations and meanings." She raised an eyebrow at the prince. "Help?"
He tipped his head to the side. "Help," he mumbled.
Aiyana rose and strolled over to the bookcase he was standing by, peering over the case. "Where is it?" she said, "I'll read it to you."
The prince stared at her. "The Aiyana Khalidah I knew would never have yelled back."
She paused, staring up at the prince. His eyes - was that actually admiration in them? She shook her head, choosing not to reply.
"What happened to you?"
"I'd rather not say."
"I'll find out."
"I welcome you to try."
"Here's the damn book." He stretched his lean form up to retrieve the book and flipped through it quickly. It had pictures in it, facilitating his search form information. "I always hated research. Like a kid in low military." He stopped as he arrived on one of the last pages of the book. "Look, this book must have been recently published. It has some information on the pink-haired spore." He pointed to the picture of the princess, rolling his eyes. "I wish the Zeta didn't want her so much. I desperately want to kill her."
Aiyana chuckled, but the prince's admission made her stomach churn. Poor Usa. She was still in the room, perhaps still sobbing. The girl was probably scared out of her wits, not sure she had anyone on her side. She wished the girl trusted her more, so she wouldn't be so scared and alone at the time. Sisters could bond over stuff like this - even if they were only half-sisters.
She shrugged it off and followed where Tamashiiro was pointing. "It says that the princess is in the dynasty to inherit the throne," she told him.
"Does it say anything about the ginzuishou?"
"Eto...matte. Here it says that she can control the ginzuishou. Let me read it - 'After the former Moon Queen relinquishes the throne by death or by the loss of her powers, the princess comes into full possessive power of the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou.' Hey...that implies-"
"It doesn't imply anything. It flat-out tells you. Now that the queen is dead - thanks to you, Delta Khalidah - that little pink-haired spore frying her brains out is in complete, utter control of the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou." He smiled widely. "Why would they leave a mush-head like that in control of so precious a source?"
"Why did they put a mush-head like you into the Second Omega's spot?"
He glared at her, then broke into a thin smile. "Point taken. She's probably undergoing some kind of training. And yet, there's more."
"What's more?"
"Now see, you were always the researcher, but I was the military strategist." He grinned.
"Right. What do you have?" Aiyana raised an eyebrow. "Prince," she added.
"Well, it's quite simple, actually," he said, crossing his arms. "The Moon Line passes the throne, the power of the ginzuishou - the whole eight meters - down the dynasty to their daughters, right?"
"Following you there."
"I'm shocked."
"They didn't give me your job for nothing."
"Touché. In any event, Princess Lady Serenity is not yet married. Which means she has no daughter to pass the power to, right?"
"Right..." Suddenly she was following Tamashiiro very clearly, and she did not like it one bit.
"So, I get to kill the little spore after all!"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------
*low military -- like high school. This is the lower military school for people grafted into the system at an early age.
I hope you enjoyed. I'm already working on the next chapter.
keskiivikko@yahoo.com
***
Aiyana was at the crux of a dilemma.
On the one hand, she could run off and try to find the ginzuishou on her own. King Endymion had said something about a connection between his power and his wife's, and she was sure that if she fired off enough impulses, she would be able to discover the location of the ginzuishou. Usa was not talking to her at this point, and she wasn't sure she wanted to venture past the stone wall the girl had erected against her.
On the other hand, Usa was only thirteen. She might be able to reason with her, console her, and eventually get her to lead her to where the ginzuishou was kept. It would help her out a great deal - she wouldn't have to search blindly for it. Usa might also be more cooperative for future endeavors if Aiyana strove to work with her.
She took a few steps over toward the bed where Usa had thrown herself after her fit, but was stopped mid-step by an announcement made in sloppy- telekinesis - it was half-telekinetic, half-shouted. "All Omega Empire personnel from Zeta level up please report to the main throne room of the palace."
Aiyana sighed, shooting a glance at Usa. "I have to go," she said.
"Get out of here!" Usa sobbed, seeming to just notice that Aiyana was still in her bedroom.
She nodded and acquiesced, softly closing the door behind her. As an afterthought, she created a seal around the door with some of her inherited powers - weak enough so that it wouldn't be picked up by a Zeta sensor, but strong enough so that Usa would have to have another episode with the ginzuishou to break it down. She then headed towards the throne room.
The Zeta scientists in the room were chattering animatedly, discussing what they thought they would do with the newfound power in the room. The Epsilon soldiers were bored.
The Delta were their silent selves, waiting for new orders and information from the Omega.
The Omega were the most comfortable members of the room. The emperor was seated in the grand throne the queen frequented, the prince seated next to him in the king's throne. Aiyana strolled in the room, obviously later than everyone else, because the emperor's eyes brightened as he watched her enter. He waited until she had strolled all the way across the room, taking her place at the head of the military - front line, first in rank - before he cleared his throat and called for order.
"Before I began, I'd like a report from each of the Delta. Half of you I haven't seen all day. Where have you been and what have you been doing?" He turned his eyes to Delta Khalidah. "You first, First Delta."
Aiyana took a moment before she answered, moistening her lips. "Sealing the princess into her bedroom."
"It took you that long?" Prince Tamashiiro interrupted.
"Yes." She turned her violet stare to the prince. "She tried to start a fistfight with me."
"Losing your touch, Delta Khalidah?" asked Second Delta Hojo, rather amused. The rest of the rank chuckled, lightly but maliciously.
Delta Khalidah turned a glare down the rest of the line, but it cleared, and she smiled. "No. It just took me quite a while to apprehend her while trying not to hurt her. The urge was strong. As it is now." Her eyes flickered violet.
Delta Hojo was taken aback. He clamped his mouth shut.
Emperor Omega held in a smile as he turned his attention to the rest of the Delta, getting reports from each. The top three (below Aiyana, that is) were doing research, and the other three were practicing their judo on each other.
The emperor nodded as he finished with the Seventh Delta. "Good," he said. "I don't know much you've heard, but the Zeta detected an important and powerful power source in the palace. They've divined the location and found this little gem-" Emperor Omega gestured to his son, and Tamashiiro held up the small silver crystal.
Aiyana struggled not to groan out loud. ~Chikuso,~ she thought.
"The Maboroshi no Ginzuishou." The name rolled much more easily off his tongue than it did from anyone else's - the Alphan tongue was definitely not made to handle the Japanese language. The Andromedan tongue was only slightly better.
"This tiny gem has unlimited power - limited only through the limitations of its user. Unfortunately, we don't have much information besides that on the ginzuishou." He swept his gaze over the seven Delta, letting it rest on Aiyana longer than anyone else. She stiffened.
"Has anyone found any other information about this?"
Aiyana debated. Should she speak? Any information she gave might be a crucial piece that would help the Alphas. Yet it would seem weird if she had been here seven months and had not found any information about the ginzuishou.
"It's an item that has been passed down in the Moon Queen's line for centuries," she said, raising her eyes to the emperor. "It's connected to the legend of the White Moon Kingdom-" Aiyana chuckled as she realized that the story King Endymion had told her earlier *was* the legend of the White Moon Kingdom. The story was true. "-but obviously, this gem is not a myth, as I believed." She shrugged. "I would have done more serious investigation on it, but the palace was inaccessible, and I didn't know it really existed in any event."
"Do you realize what this means?" one of the Zeta - thirteenth, by his place in line - exclaimed excitedly. "We can run tests - make super- Alphans - do all sorts of things with this wonderful gem! The Psi's powers will be increased a hundredfold! And, if there's any other sort of magical- "
"Hush," said the First Zeta. The Thirteenth Zeta fell silent.
"I'll give you all three hours. During the three hours the Zeta and Delta both have tasks. Zeta, I expect you to come up with a plan of action regarding this precious gem. Second Omega Prince Tamashiiro will give the First Zeta the crystal. He alone should handle the crystal, and with utmost care.
"Delta, you have three hours to find as much information - history, makeup, anything - about the Marbososhi - the masalbochi - the malabrokotchi-"
"Maboroshi no Ginzuishou."
"Yes," Emperor Omega said, shooting a half-affectionate look at his son. "How can you pronounce that so well?"
Tamashiiro shrugged - a little too quickly for Aiyana's liking. She narrowed her eyes.
"What does that mean?" the emperor asked, surveying the group before him.
"Literally translated, 'silver water crystal of illusions'. The closest translation possible."
The other six Delta peered at Aiyana.
The emperor looked at her strangely, then smiled slyly. "Research pairs. Seventh and Sixth, Fifth and Fourth, Third and Second...and First Delta Khalidah, you will research alongside Prince Tamashiiro. Seeing as he was the Second Delta and your former partner in any case." He regarded the crew closely. "You are dismissed."
The blockade broke up, striding in all different directions. Delta Khalidah walked up to Prince Tamashiiro and eyed him carefully. "Let's go."
He raised an eyebrow, turned on his heel, and icily walked from the room without saying a word.
Aiyana rolled her eyes. Males!
***
"This library is divided by subject," Aiyana explained, pointing through the vast library. One other pair of Delta had decided to come to this building. The other two were hunting through the specialized libraries on the fourth floor. "This wing has the histories of many great cultures as well as other social studies...Omega Prince Tamashiiro, are you listening?"
"Not really," the prince admitted, turning his hazel stare upon Aiyana. It was so painful she had to turn away. "You were always the strong suit in research. I just did the actions."
"You're going to have to help me. This library is much bigger than the one at home in Andromeda." Aiyana had to struggle to append the words 'at home' to Andromeda. ~This is my home now,~ she thought.
Tamashiiro rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "Lead the way, Earthian."
Aiyana whipped around to face Tamashiiro. "What did you call me?" Her eyes flashed violet.
Tamashiiro threw his hands up, and he actually looked frightened for a second - or at least startled. "Earthian. You've spent so much time here, I would think you were the authority on Earthian history." He chuckled. "At least I didn't call you a human."
Aiyana pointed a slender finger in the prince's face, making him lean backwards from her. She leaned over his much taller form far enough so that her blue eyes bored into his hazel ones, trying hard to ignore the resemblance he bore to her daughter. It was so strong!
"You know something about me, Andromedan," she snarled, spitting the last word like bitter hemlock. "I'll find out what it is before this mission is over."
"You'd better get that finger out of my face, Earthian," Tamashiiro snarled back, closing his fingers around Aiyana's one and gently pushing it away - the gentleness a calculated control of power. "You may have had the upper hand for those few months, but remember, I'm the head dog now." He started to say more, but he let his eyes carry the warning.
Aiyana kept hers trained on his, and surprisingly, he turned away first.
~How could this monster be the father of my sweet little Mikomi-chan?~ she thought despairingly. Tamashiiro must never find out about her.
"Let's go, Aiyana," he said, deliberately using her first name. It was a sign of either disrespect or closeness in the military to use a comrade's first name. Tamashiiro had no permission, so the intended was disrespect.
Aiyana shrugged. Military titles meant nothing to her now. She led him to the alphabetical card catalog and flipped through until she found a selection of titles about Crystal Tokyo history. She pulled them out and shoved them in the prince's arms.
"Here," she said. "Go find these volumes. Or do you not know how to use the decimal system?"
Tamashiiro was taken aback by the curt order as well as the insulting question. Aiyana had never acted quite so boldly before. Her earlier outburst about his implied knowledge of her birth was out of character for the timid little mouse, and this too was an anomaly. Even when she was First Delta and he was Second, she had to feed her instructions through him to the other Delta - which usually resulted in them being altered or altogether trashed and rewritten. He'd thought that her cold quip to Second Delta Hojo was hilarious, but when her sarcasm was directed towards him, it wasn't quite so funny.
"Do you?"
"Don't be stupid, prince."
"Don't order me around, Earthian."
She ignored the last and worked with the rest of the catalog. Why oh why did the emperor pair him with his stupid insubordinate son?!
Aiyana found all her volumes first and plunked them on the table. She was studying them when she felt someone's stare on her back. Turning around, she noticed Prince Tamashiiro looking nervously at her, but as soon as he caught her looking, his stare turned into a glare and he whipped back around to his work.
The episode repeated itself three times before Aiyana finally slapped the pages of the book she was reading, raising herself to her full height. "Damnit, you arrogant kisama, just admit you don't know how to use the damn decimal system!"
"I can use the decimal system! I found the damn books!"
"What is it, then? Can't you read?"
Tamashiiro opened his mouth to scream some more, but closed it as he realized protesting loudly wouldn't solve anything. "I can read."
"Just not Japanese."
"This book isn't written in any of the kana systems we were taught in low military.*"
"Their important government documents are written in the kana. What kind of book is that?"
"Non-fiction."
"Yes. In enjoyment books, they use kanji. The kanji characters are based more on ideas than sounds. Phonetic systems won't work since different kanji carry different connotations and meanings." She raised an eyebrow at the prince. "Help?"
He tipped his head to the side. "Help," he mumbled.
Aiyana rose and strolled over to the bookcase he was standing by, peering over the case. "Where is it?" she said, "I'll read it to you."
The prince stared at her. "The Aiyana Khalidah I knew would never have yelled back."
She paused, staring up at the prince. His eyes - was that actually admiration in them? She shook her head, choosing not to reply.
"What happened to you?"
"I'd rather not say."
"I'll find out."
"I welcome you to try."
"Here's the damn book." He stretched his lean form up to retrieve the book and flipped through it quickly. It had pictures in it, facilitating his search form information. "I always hated research. Like a kid in low military." He stopped as he arrived on one of the last pages of the book. "Look, this book must have been recently published. It has some information on the pink-haired spore." He pointed to the picture of the princess, rolling his eyes. "I wish the Zeta didn't want her so much. I desperately want to kill her."
Aiyana chuckled, but the prince's admission made her stomach churn. Poor Usa. She was still in the room, perhaps still sobbing. The girl was probably scared out of her wits, not sure she had anyone on her side. She wished the girl trusted her more, so she wouldn't be so scared and alone at the time. Sisters could bond over stuff like this - even if they were only half-sisters.
She shrugged it off and followed where Tamashiiro was pointing. "It says that the princess is in the dynasty to inherit the throne," she told him.
"Does it say anything about the ginzuishou?"
"Eto...matte. Here it says that she can control the ginzuishou. Let me read it - 'After the former Moon Queen relinquishes the throne by death or by the loss of her powers, the princess comes into full possessive power of the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou.' Hey...that implies-"
"It doesn't imply anything. It flat-out tells you. Now that the queen is dead - thanks to you, Delta Khalidah - that little pink-haired spore frying her brains out is in complete, utter control of the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou." He smiled widely. "Why would they leave a mush-head like that in control of so precious a source?"
"Why did they put a mush-head like you into the Second Omega's spot?"
He glared at her, then broke into a thin smile. "Point taken. She's probably undergoing some kind of training. And yet, there's more."
"What's more?"
"Now see, you were always the researcher, but I was the military strategist." He grinned.
"Right. What do you have?" Aiyana raised an eyebrow. "Prince," she added.
"Well, it's quite simple, actually," he said, crossing his arms. "The Moon Line passes the throne, the power of the ginzuishou - the whole eight meters - down the dynasty to their daughters, right?"
"Following you there."
"I'm shocked."
"They didn't give me your job for nothing."
"Touché. In any event, Princess Lady Serenity is not yet married. Which means she has no daughter to pass the power to, right?"
"Right..." Suddenly she was following Tamashiiro very clearly, and she did not like it one bit.
"So, I get to kill the little spore after all!"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------
*low military -- like high school. This is the lower military school for people grafted into the system at an early age.
I hope you enjoyed. I'm already working on the next chapter.
keskiivikko@yahoo.com