Sakura Wars: The 21st Century

By Steve Edward

Chapter 3

Task Group Rose Headquarters – January 10, 2010 1000 hours – Norfolk, Virginia

With cup of coffee in hand, the Admiral sits at his desk and looks over the remaining paperwork. Staff Sergeant Bloomberg not needed for the moment leaves the interior office to make some phone calls from her outer office.

Glancing at the cabinet that contains the security monitors, she sees that the Suburban is being carefully loaded with the Admiral's possessions. Hers are already inside, having been loaded into the vehicle at 0300 hours this morning at the BEQ.

Glancing at the short list of whom she has to call, she begins with Captain Orkney now at Area 51 in Nevada. Speaking briefly over secure voice she brings him up to date with current events and confirming the final travel plans.

He confirms that a C-17 Cargo Aircraft is awaiting the Admiral at Naval Air Station Norfolk and its final cargo load out had been put onboard. The only cargo remaining was the Suburban, her and the Admiral. With that comment she smiled and signed off.

Continuing other calls, also on secure voice finishing up the minor details; it was nearly 1130 hours when Admiral John Long came walking out the door, briefcase in hand ready to head to Area 51.

U.S.S. Wisconsin BB-64 – Underway 1115 hours – Main Ship Channel

Captain Hollister, from her chair watched as her bridge crew took the grand ship out. This would be the last time that the U.S.S. Wisconsin BB-64 would sail from Norfolk, Virginia. Now enroute to Tokyo, Japan by way of San Diego, California Sammy pondered her orders.

Still sealed in her safe were the final orders; that she could not and would not open until ship was at a certain position in the Atlantic. It would be only then she would learn just what Admiral John Long would be doing and by then unable to voice her dissent into the final plan, the only thing she could do was follow the outlined orders and sail to San Diego.

Area 51 – 0845 Hours Local – Captain Frank Orkney

Frank too had been busy with final preparations. With Admiral Long soon to be enroute by air from Norfolk, Virginia; Frank reviewed the latest seismology reports from around the globe. Increasing with frequency again, the earthquakes that had rattled the earth for so many years had been linked to the appearance of the Sea Wraith in March 2007. This proved to be a clue to the outbreak of similar creatures that had been observed as land based types in the 1915 to 1927 incidents in Japan, France and the United States.

With the historical information from those hectic days in many instances lost over a period of time; it went without saying the hope of finding a way to battle these creatures could be discovered and implemented.

Enter Admiral Long. After his battle with a sea wraith off of New York; while recovering from his injuries he acquires the services of Professor Walters. The Professor found similar occurrences now long forgotten. Reviewing the files of the long ago battles he realized that any hope of battling these creatures now rested on a mythical but legendary combat group in Japan known formerly as the Imperial Flower Combat Troop.

Made up of young women and interestingly a male commander the Imperial Flower Combat Troop with their steam powered combat units called Koubus and Eisenkleid's they had fought these evil incarnates that had put in appearances with the Imperial Capital of Japan, the city of Tokyo.

Then he made a shocking discovery, without any explanation the group was disbanded on June 30th, 1927 and for all practical purposes had disappeared from the face of the earth along with their equipment.

Captain Orkney who by now was Admiral Long's Chief of Staff was hard pressed to get information on this mysterious combat troop. Professor Walters's knack of history and where to look helped uncover the final truth. In the classified report found in the archives of the Pentagon the statement of a visitor from the future coming to Japan and taking them with him set off shockwaves. In the report dated November 4th, 1927 it entailed the circumstances of a young woman named Lachette Altair, at first reported to be an actress but in truth a member of the United States Army who was soon to be part of combat troupe to be named the New York Fighting Troupe; who had disappeared along with members of the Imperial Flower Combat Troop and their associated equipment. Her own Esienkleid too was also missing and never found.

Frank looking back to that day he first flew to Area 51, where he meets for the first time the science team running the time travel program, Dr.'s Julie and Mary Long; both sisters to Admiral John Long. After initial refusal of cooperation and denial that his suggestion of such a program evens exists; but with written orders from the President of the United States the sisters cooperate.

With admittance of the program he contacts Admiral Long, who is already battling Congress over the refit costs of the U.S.S. Wisconsin BB-64. Admiral Long too flies to Nevada and Area 51 where he is briefed on the Ultra-Secret Operation by both his sisters. Afterward with an estimated cost being tossed around to do such an operation to the past; he returns to Washington where he meets with Congressional Committee's in closed and classified sessions to obtain funding, he reveals the possibilities of what might happen if he can not do the mission.

Following the second week of October 2007, Congress allocates ten billion dollars to the task of refitting the U.S.S. Wisconsin BB-64, along with other related and needed requirements to fulfill the mission obligations of the future Task Group Rose. Great Britain grateful of Admiral Long for sacrificing the U.S.S. Doyle FFG-39; in an action that saved the Queen Mary 2 that they allocate three billion dollars of their own and two surprises, a Koubu and an Esienkleid that are in storage; originally in found in Paris, France after World War 2.

Captain Orkney, who had the two machines shipped to San Diego after the operational tests in Norfolk wonders if the Admiral's plan is still viable. Truth be known; Frank was already having second thoughts. The June 30th, 1927 deactivation date for the Imperial Flower Combat Troop could have just been a ruse; but no matter how hard the researchers looked through records both in the Pentagon and the collection from the former Imperial Army archives in Japan there could not be found in any instance of what had happened to the members or even their equipment, with the exception of the Gourai-Go, considered to be the first instance of a bullet type train used to transport the Koubus and Eisenkleids into battle by ground and the Shougei-Maru a transport blimp. Both of these pieces of equipment were reported to have been dismantled and scrapped in 1928.

As for the commanding officer of the Imperial Flower Combat Troop and reportedly the theater manger of the Imperial Theater in Tokyo; General Ikki Yoneda had retired in September of 1927. No mention or trace of the General was found in records after 1927. General Ikki Yoneda's whereabouts or even his fate was never mentioned in any record afterward and a mystery to that man's disappearance ate at Captain Orkney.

Onboard C-17 Transport – Admiral John Long – 1330 Hours

Able to take cat naps just about anywhere, Admiral Long slept fitfully; the "Mickey Mouse" ears dampening the sounds of the aircrafts engines as he lay on a cot provided by the Air Force crew. Nearby Staff Sergeant Teresa Bloomberg having changed to her BDU's; well alert to the surroundings read a message that had been received from the aircraft commander.

It was a brief update on what was going on where. The Wisconsin now safely out to sea and headed south towards Panama, reported no difficulties and her Captain advising of all previous problems reported left over from the ships refit had been solved.

Captain Orkney confirming that the schedule for departure was up and running; meaning that the countdown clock had been started for the mission.

Teresa, still not comfortable with the Admiral's plan had tried again to persuade him to allow her to go with him but he adamantly refused; simply stating "Having one to go back is worrisome enough, but two it can bring even more complications into this, no I am sorry Teresa I can't allow it," and with that he took to the cot and his catnap.

Area 51, Nevada – 1730 hours – T-minus 5 hours and 30 minutes

The C-17 landed on time at Area 51, and taxied to a hanger complex where it was guided inside. It was only after the doors were sealed that the rear ramp was fully lowered. Because it was only a short distance to where they needed to go the Suburban was left onboard and with an Air Force Specialist driving the golf cart; Admiral John Long and Staff Sergeant Teresa Bloomberg were taken to a nearby elevator. There cart and all entered and under close scrutiny and after verification of their identities finally were allowed to go to the lower floors.

Though no visible readout was seen in the elevator, the Admiral who had been at Area 51 previously had never been directly to this part of the base so as to how far they were descending; not even the Air Force escort would say. The only thing he did know was that two of his sisters were involved in the program and what that involvement had been. To where they did the "magic" as he called he had not been directly told. Informed that he would be given that information at the last moment he was intrigued, but also concerned. If it was indeed underground, how would the equipment; be moved to ground level? Would they have to dismantle it? After seeing the other elevators his concerns diminished.

Area 51, Nevada – 1900 hours – T-minus 4 hours

After arrival and meeting with his sisters and other concerned parties Admiral John Long, was no longer wearing a U.S. Military uniform but was wearing a conservative but unobtrusive black woolen three piece suite. He did not want the suite to appear too neat and as such was wearing attire that would commonly be found worn by men of stature and importance in the late 1920's.

Professor Lenny Irvine Walters, now with the Admiral paced back and forth in the room; his agitated state showing clearly. Lenny pondered the upcoming historical event that he would too become part of. Would some future Professor discussing the event; be raking him over the proverbial coals so to speak for failing to mention or cover an unlikely event? Or would he or she be praising him while picking apart the first draft of what would likely become the bible of time travel law and regulations?

Again napping, John had enough of the unsystematic pacing and brought the recliner to the full upright position; grabbing the Professor by his left arm jerked him to a stop. Completely out of normal character; he snapped at Lenny to stop the infernal pacing, surprised with mouth half agape Professor Walters sat in a nearby chair. Glancing at Staff Sergeant Bloomberg, his eyes focused on hers; he ordered her to "Shoot him in the foot if he starts up again!"

With a slight smile, Teresa removes the Glock Model 21C from her holster and lays it in front of her. Professor Walters remained absolutely still for the next hour, his eyes occasionally moving to the cold blue steel of the Glock and back to the Admiral who was now peacefully snoring.

Elsewhere final preparations were being made, the steamer trunk, cargo cart, brief case and suitcases had been moved into position. Identical copies of each were in a nearby briefing room their contents lining the tables in order of packing.

Finally a small mechanical bell sounded at the appropriate time and with a practiced flourish the Admiral who had assumed the persona of Herbert Robert Long removed the pocket watch and stabbed the button to silence the alarm. Glancing down at the open watch face noting the time of 1955 hours or 7:55 PM in civilian terms got to his feet and headed for the door.

The Professor asking Staff Sergeant Bloomberg to leave them for a moment, John turns questionably to Professor Walters and hears the final comments from the Professor, who by now has regained his composure. Words that will eventually be included in the hefty and voluminous bible simply called "The Law of Time Travel and Regulations."

Professor Lenny Irvin Walters's turns to John Long who is standing near the door begins. "We all have imagined to what are our actual purposes on this earth are. We have all made mistakes at one time or another and wished we could take it back. But then what ifs come into play, begging to be discussed as well. We wrestle with that choice now that we have the power to change things; you must guard against playing God. There is only one true God, and he has already mapped out our destinies. Do not succumb to the temptations but stay true to the course that already has been mapped. The fear of making a mistake will still be a part of you; and you are only human therefore when you take that step through the doorway of past, rest easy as God is with you; whether here in the present or past because of the faith that you he will guide your hand. You and I can not play God, temptation to change fates will be great; but staying to the true course and ones purpose is paramount above anything else."

With that Professor Lenny Irvine Walters, clasps his hands into John's and says a silent prayer. Releasing them slowly he bids his friend farewell as he begins a journey that will make history.