Sakura Wars: The 21st Century
By Steve Edward
Chapter 11
Friday, June 3rd, 1927 – Shouwa 1- Sendai, Japan – 0500 hours –
After the meeting with both mother and grandmother, John had dinner with both Sakura and her family. Retiring to the guest house, he wrote into his diary of the events that had taken place. Falling to sleep he had slept soundly undisturbed. He awoke early and slipped out of the house. He had seen from a distance the family burial plot and wanted to visit it.
As he silently approached the family burial plot of the Shinguji family he noted the gravestone of Sakura's father Colonel Kazuma Shinguji, its black granite facing beginning to reflect the morning light.
Kneeling before it and beginning to pray, he thanked the late Colonel's spirit. Lost in prayer, John did not hear Sakura as she silently approached from behind. It was only when she knelt next to him that he acknowledged her presence.
"Ms. Shinguji my apologies for intruding here," as John turned to face her; Sakura smiling in return, "It is all right Mr. Long, my father would welcome you regardless."
After both had completed their respective prayers, they stood as one and began to walk back to the main family house; Sakura asked John what her grandmother had done with him?
John turned to Sakura, "Sakura, there are some things best left unsaid and in this case it is one of them, as I prefer not to discuss it," a bit taken aback by his answer she stopped momentarily but then continued after him.
Returning to the main house he joined with both Sakura's mother and grandmother for breakfast. Afterward he and Sakura's grandmother would have discussions on the history of the Shinguji family.
In the afternoon he asked Sakura if she would like to take in a little sword practice which she agreed to and for the small audience present; the display of his and Sakura's sword fighting skills were spectacular.
The sword practice ended with the shattering of the practice swords in which John witnessed and experienced the full fury of the Exorcist bloodline that lay within Sakura, when her grandmother had to step in to breakup the mock battle; after Sakura had knocked John to the ground and pounced atop of him bringing the shattered edge of the practice sword dangerously close to his jugular, the lust for the kill evident in her eyes.
Writing later in his diary he reflected on just how powerful Sakura was in both physical and metaphysical strength. He ruefully noted that he would not want to have Sakura for an enemy as she was quit capable of defending herself.
Saturday, June 4th, 1927 – Shouwa 1- Sendai, Japan – 0700 hours –
At the train station in Sendai, John and Sakura took their seats for the return trip to Tokyo. There had been a shedding of tears and affectionate hugs from the grandmother and mother. Looking at both on the platform, John knew that they now carried a heavy burden. Sending their only daughter and granddaughter off never to be seen again by both.
As the train began to move Sakura's mother walked along side the rail car till she could no longer keep up; John turned to look at Sakura her face reflecting sadness and joy, with determination to do well Sakura waved one last time and then sat back in the seat, John reached over and clasped her hand, "Sakura, you family has bestowed a great charge upon me and I intend to honor that. You can rest assured that you will never feel alone and you will have family to talk to when needed." Sakura smiling in return, "Though I may be leaving my real family behind I am gaining one in return, and I am deeply honored that you have accepted me."
As the country side passed, turning from farm land to scattered hamlets to the scenery of a growing city that Tokyo would become John thought of the future to which the train was taking him and Sakura to.
The other members of the Flower Division who would be coming with them were going to unfamiliar surroundings, unimaginable in this timeline were technological wonders that would both amaze and confound them.
Later that afternoon the train pulled into the Tokyo passenger station where Maria was waiting to pick them up. On the way back to the Theater, John noted a advertisement billboard announcing the upcoming Waltz's of the World performance; on it was his persona of Herbert Robert Long as a guest performer and dancer. The performance was set for Saturday, June 25th, 1927 at 18:00 hours.
Monday, June 6th, 1927 – Shouwa 1- Imperial Theater – 0900 hours –
Rehearsals for the upcoming show began in earnest with John selecting the different music for the respective dances. Each dance would show case the different cultures. For Leni's dance routine, John had selected a German waltz that had a graceful couple dance in 3/4 time. The first of the three beats of waltz rhythm (both in music and in dance) has a strong, propulsive impulse; it is followed by two lighter beats (or steps), the second of these an upbeat "pushing" into the new first beat (... three ONE two three ONE two ...).
Because of Leni's lack of emotional feeling, John wanted to utilize the power of the music along with the speed to bring out her hidden feelings. Gradually speeding up the music until ¾ time beat was reached John carefully crafted the dance routine.
Whirling about the stage, guiding her to the highlights and the lows; her emotional responses grew, the other cast members watched in amazement as Leni's joy grew. John could feel Leni's spiritual energy growing in relation to the beat and the movements. In the final act of the dance where they come to a stop, then holding hands kneel towards each other as the music fades, Leni began to sob not in sadness but in joy of feeling the power of the music as it had flowed around her; she landed a surprise kiss on John.Blushing, John returned a peck on her cheek in return, standing he turned towards the gallery rehearsing a final bow to the audience.
Maria who had been waiting off stage, entered for her part, joining with John they began a form of dance called Varsovienne which was based on a Polish Dance routine that had been incorporated by the late Russian choreographer Marius Petipa (1818-1910) into folk dances. Originally a dance for multiple couples, this single couple dance routine a powerful ¾ beat step dance profiled the Russian Cultural heritage. Leading through the various steps, John was impressed with Maria's display of power, grace and symmetry.
Utilizing Lachette Altair, John practiced the Lindy Hop. The Lindy Hop begins with a syncopated two-step, after which partners separate and perform intricate steps individually before coming back together. The music for this swing style or jazz type of music is with a ¾ beat as well. Orihime's grand piano is changed out for a standup bar style and her tickling of the ivories definitely starts a memorable dance routine.
Taking a break for the rest of the afternoon, John is surprised to see the Flower Division rehearsing later in the afternoon with Ichiro Oogami being his stand-in. John who sits unobserved on the upper balcony watches with interest as Ichiro and Sakura practice a waltz. He will make a program change later that evening; making the announcement that Ichiro is going to be a dance partner to Sakura who will together perform on stage for the first time as dance partners.
The dance routine that John had settled on as an introductory to the Waltz's of the World show was known as the Contra Dance. Contra Dancing is a form of American folk dance in which the dancers form a set of two parallel lines which run the length of the hall. Each dance consists of a sequence of moves that ends with couples having progressed one position up or down the set. As the sequence is repeated, a couple will eventually dance with every other couple in the set. Contra Dancing was all the rage in the late1800's and since it incorporates various dance styles it is; John decides a perfect lead in for the show itself.
Friday, June 10th, 1927 – Shouwa 1- Imperial Theater – 1900 hours –
John and Ikki Yoneda were ensconced in Ikki's office going over the planned movement of the Flower Division. After a dazzling week of practice of which the General had observed, Yoneda commented to John; "You have, it seems been able to strengthen the Flower Division's moral in more ways than one;" as Ikki took a sip of Sake.
John relaxing in a nearby chair, "Putting focus on the entertainment aspect of their performance is something that I had hoped would take their minds off the future so to speak. Sitting around and waiting while the pieces get moved into place can be wearing on the mind." The movement of the equipment in piece meal so as to not arouse suspicion had worked so far. The staging area located Northeast of Tokyo was now under heavy watch and guard by specially selected members of the Moon Division. The final equipment movement would take place on the morning of Sunday, June 26th after the show.
It was Captain Yuichi Kayama strolling outside the theater who spotted the suspicious vehicle. Ducking to a side alley, Yuichi became alarmed when he spotted Haruyoshi Tanuma exit the vehicle and with a group of men make his way to the main entrance of the theater.
Breaking cover, Captain Kayama runs to a hidden side entrance of the theater and enters the building to notify General Yoneda.
Leni Milchstrase and Iris Chateaubriand are together on the stage continuing to practice their dance routines with each other and take no notice of Tanuma's entrance. Two of Tanuma's minions have broken off from the main party stand near the grand stairs leading to the second floor, to prevent interference.
Tsubaki is the first to encounter the thugs as her vision is obscured by the pile of flyers that she is carrying. Bumping into one of them, she feels the barrel of a revolver pressed hard to her forehead as the flyers spill to the ground.
The urgent buzz of the intercom interrupts the talk between General Yoneda and Admiral Long, alarmed at what they hear; they both head towards the grand staircase. John who was in the lead, spots both men one of them holding Tsubaki at gun point. Motioning to Ikki they move back to a rear staircase and descend to the first floor.
The Colt .45 now in his hand, John glances into the hallway leading to the lobby and enters quietly followed by Ikki.
Spotting a flower vase nearby, John empties its contents and then launches it like a football; the trajectory carrying it silently over the heads of the thugs where it smashes loudly on the landing above them. Startled they both turn toward the source of the noise and the loud booming of a 1911A1 Colt .45 ACP is the last thing that both hear.
Maria Tachibana hearing the gunfire bolts from her room and with Sumire, Sakura and Kanna trailing close behind they race to the staircase. Maria with her own Colt braced for firing slides across the carpet to a stop, below lay two men and Tsubaki who is on her knees is in shock shivering violently. Nearby both General Yoneda and Admiral Long pause long enough to look up, John tracking Maria in his sights, lowers the gun, "Maria check the rest of the theater, we have intruders. Tanuma is here somewhere, Sakura get down here and help Tsubaki."
Lachette who had come down the same hallway as the Admiral and General runs across the lobby towards the theater, doing so she spots another thug exiting the theater to the lobby itself and let flies with three of her throwing knives while she shouts a warning to the Admiral, who hearing her warning from behind ducks and rolls in time as the knives sail over him scoring a direct hit on the thug at the theater door.
The gunfire from the lobby filtered into the theater where it was heard by everyone. Leni was the first to see Tanuma as he walked down the aisle, a gun in his hand clearly visible. Tanuma dismissing the remaining thug to go out to the lobby turned to Leni, "You and Iris are coming with me. Do not bother resisting because I would just rather kill both of you."
Leni stepping in front of Iris, "There is no need for this because you know that Project Wachstum was a failure. Trying to use Iris's powers will not succeed," as she watched Tanuma mount the stage and walk towards them.
Tanuma with a crazed look in his eye's, "Oh, but it will succeed my dear Leni, as I will be able to prove it by having Iris cure you;" as he stopped a short distance away.
The remaining thug standing at the door uselessly tried to hold it shut, all but had it ripped out of his hands by Kanna who reached in and yanked him into the foyer, the sounds of bones breaking then the thud of his lifeless body as it fell to the carpet filtered to the stage.
Tanuma turning was greeted by the sight of the Imperial Flower Division mustering in the aisle, with Maria next to the Admiral and the General.
John disconcerted at the sight of Tanuma holding a gun to Leni's head, "Tanuma, put the weapon down. It is not worth it. Think about what you are doing." Startled to hear John speaking in English, he momentarily wavered.
Giving the cue to Maria in Russian, "Take him out now Maria," and without blinking she did so. Calling the marksmanship of Maria into play; Admiral Long watched as Tanuma fell backwards onto the stage, the expression of surprise frozen on his face as he died; the echo of the gunshot faded within the theater, the smell of burnt cordite drifting about mixing with the tension in the air, the Admiral turned to the others.
"Please conduct a through search of this complex, if any are found still alive hold them for interrogation by the Moon Division. If any resistance is met, kill them. Is that understood?" With his orders understood, the Imperial Flower Division set out to rid the Imperial Theater of any more rats. No others would be found. The abandoned sedan parked outside would be searched; in it was Tanuma's briefcase containing a wealth of information.
Captain Oogami along with Deputy Commander Fujieda who had been with Kohran in the equipment hanger when the bedlam started arrived inside the theater in time to witness the aftermath. Admiral John Long's temper which he demonstrated throughout his naval career to be very level headed and cool in combat had exceeded the proverbial safety limits. John lost his temper.
Seething with rage, he turned to Captain Yuichi Kayama standing in the aisle nearby, "Yuichi, I do not care what it takes to track the remaining bastards down, but find them as there is going to be hell paid for this." Yuichi, glancing at General Yoneda who nodded in agreement, "Do as he says, this had gone far enough; and it is indeed time for retribution."
Turning on his heal, preparing to leave; "And Yuichi, get the trash removed from our theater as soon as possible." With that General Yoneda, departed to make a phone call.
As John turned back to the stage, he focused on both Leni and Iris, "Are you two ok?" as Captain Kayama entered the stage to examine the late Tanuma. Iris stepping from behind Leni; her bear Jean-Paul firmly embraced, "John, we are fine, with thanks to both you and Maria." A few moments later additional men arrived, men belonging to the Moon Division and joining their Commanding Officer on the stage, they soon departed carrying the late Tanuma with them; a few remained to clean the mess on the stage.
Pausing briefly before leaving John gazed to those around him, "I had hoped to avoid becoming directly involved," while glancing down at the Colt still in his hand; "But my actions are moot at this point. We will meet in the dinning room at 2100 hours for a discussion and hopefully a briefing into who we are dealing with." Looking at Captain Kayama directly, "Try the best that you can with what little time you have as we all want some answers." Still seething in rage, John holstered the Colt and walked out of the theater and headed to General Yoneda's office.
Rejoining the General who was on the phone to Count Hanakouji of whom he was informing of the demise of Haruyoshi Tanuma, John pondered just what he had done. Directly killing two of the thugs was something that Professor Wilkins had vehemently and repeatedly told him not to do. "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." As John adjusted the chair, he thought ruefully that he now had pretty much blown that edict clear out of the water and hoped for the best at least for now.
Friday, June 10th, 1927 – Shouwa 1- Imperial Theater – 2100 hours –
With his temper abated, John with General Yoneda entered the dinning room precisely on time. Among those waiting was Count Aritsune Hanakouji who appeared relaxed and rose to greet both men as they entered. Shaking hands with both he turned towards Captain Kayama, "There is good news from all this as Captain Kayama has been able to locate some critical information. It is in the process of being verified now."
Pausing at a brief case opened on the table the Count withdrew some papers and handed them to John.
Sitting across from Deputy Commander Fujieda, John accepted a cup of coffee from Tsubaki who had recovered from her encounter; though John noted with dismay the red welt outlined in the shape of a gun barrel clearly on her forehead. As John began to read the proffered material, Kaede Fujieda noted the displeasure very evident from his expression.
Kaede turning to General Yoneda, "The brief case was found in an abandoned car parked across the street. The vehicle was identified by Captain Kayama, who had seen Tanuma exiting the vehicle before entering the theater."
Glancing at Count Hanakouji who had sat next to Kaede, "It seems that the late Tanuma had inspirations for becoming Prime Minister and in order for him to do so he wanted to utilize the power of spiritual warriors to do his bidding; which if successful would have prevented any counter-actions by either the Imperial Army or the Imperial Navy.
Nodding in agreement the Count had John continue, "The outside forces that I had suspected as being involved; stems from the involvement of the late Tanuma in the original experiments conducted in Germany. The experiments which are known to us as Project Wachstum, involved several subjects; but of which there was only one survivor and she is present with us now, Leni Milchstrase."
Taking his jacket off, the shoulder holster fully visible with the Colt in place, John continued, "After the Star Division was dissolved in Europe, Tanuma looked at the opportunity of bringing Leni to Japan which he did. That is about the only redeeming thing Tanuma did at that point."
"Tanuma knowing that Iris had powers that in short had occurred naturally, he could not remove her from Japan while the Imperial Flower Division was still activated and take her to Germany; so instead he brought the scientists involved in the Project within Germany to Japan."
John took a sip of his coffee, "Tanuma by bringing the scientists from Germany to Japan made it easy for them to study the spiritual energy data that had been collected from Iris so they could formulate a new way to create others like Iris. Since Leni was now here in Japan they could conduct new experiments on Leni herself; perhaps as a way of fixing their previous mistakes."
John related to the Count about reading in the newspaper, a small article relating to the proposed deactivation of the Imperial Flower Division since it was no longer apparently needed.
The Count frowning, "Those discussions were in secret and that fact had been leaked to the press, which did not and would not sit on the story, but I was able to keep the full details out at the time. You should know that Tanuma himself had initiated the proposal for the deactivation." Nodding at that comment, John turned to General Yoneda, "If in fact Tanuma had been successful in this endeavor, would it be your opinion that if a sufficient number of personnel with high spiritual energy were to operate the Koubus and the Esienkleid in large numbers that in probability there would have been little chance by the Imperial Army or even the Navy for that matter to stop them?" General Yoneda nodded, and John thought even with 21st century weapons technology an Esienkleid or Koubu with a strong willed and determined pilot would indeed be hard to stop.
Iris who had been listening with rapt attention spoke up, "Mr. Tanuma said that my powers could cure Leni of her problems. Was he lying?" John turning to look at Iris was greeted by the sight of Jean-Paul hovering between the tables, "Iris I am not a medical doctor and even in the 21st century our own medical doctors still ponder the human brain. I suspect all in all he was indeed lying after he did say he preferred to kill both you and Leni in the first place. I believe instead he wanted to study your brain in some fashion and possibly replicate your abilities in others. Leni was icing on the cake. Having them restudy her brain, again not knowing how this was conducted they could conceivably use her brain as a form of do not do type of demonstration."
Captain Oogami spoke next, "Admiral if indeed he was trying to obtain both Iris and Leni that would mean he may have been preparing for the final phase of his plan; which would involve forcing the creation of the enhanced spiritual powers within others, which we are assuming could be a relatively large number to be the next victims." Turning to Ichiro, "Captain I do not believe that you are far off the mark, look at it at this point, Iris with her natural ability could be used as a focusing device to enhance the process, sort of like putting a polished refractor behind that of a light and artificially enhancing, the beam if you will. Concentrated, as Iris's powers are forced upon the victim it could conceivably have their spiritual energy enhanced under brute force; which could cause even more unknown side effects on the person, and depending on what areas are targeted to get the results that they want; would leave them with nothing more than an empty human shell to do their bidding without fear of having them turn against them."
John turning to Captain Kayama, "I hope you have got a lead on where they might be trying to conduct this experiment, because there may be some innocent people in very deep trouble."
Captain Kayama smiled as he turned just having received a message from an operative in the field; "Yes Admiral we now know where they are at." John replied, "Very well then, let's take them out; permanently!"