Sakura Wars: The 21st Century

By Steve Edward

Chapter 16

Thursday, January 21st, 2010 –Long Family Estate – 0900 hours –

Admiral Long had started his morning early as usual, rising at 0400 hours doing his daily run. He had missed doing the runs while in 1927 Tokyo and wanted to get back into his routine. With Teresa, Maria and Ichiro who joined in on a six kilometer run around the estate the pace unrushed; took them through various parts of the private estate.

After cleaning up and having breakfast, Captain Orkney who had setup the briefing began at 0900 hours. Present included Admiral Long, Commander Kaede Fujieda, Commander Yuichi Kayama, Division Commander Lieutenant Commander Oogami and Doctor Cynthia Long.

Turning to the large display screen Captain Orkney began, "Most of you have seen this display. It is a graphical reference to all Sea Wraith outbreaks that have occurred since 2007. As of 0800 hours local this morning, this is the latest information we have." The world wide history that was displayed flashed off and was replaced with a close up of the Pacific Region.

Cynthia began her part of the briefing, "Based on the earthquakes and their relation to the appearances of the Sea Wraith afterward, the Richter Scale break point at which the Sea Wraith make their appearances is on or about 5.5. As to why this occurs at that point is still unknown and is being studied extensively by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. Their research ships are spread thin and it takes time to get one into position to study the affected areas." It had been a sore point with John and he had lobbied for additional funds for that organization to obtain more ships and equipment, but it was taking time to implement the buildup of research ships and the trained scientists to man the vessels.

Cynthia continued, "The last incident which involved the Wisconsin thoroughly destroyed the Wraith. The resulting frenzy from the sharks feeding on the remnants of the creature did not give us an opportunity to gather a sample of the tissues. In short the Wisconsin slightly overdid it when they fired on the Wraith with their 16 inch guns," as Cynthia looked a bit crossed over that issue.

Flashing an underwater picture taken of the earthquake site, "This was taken from the NOAA research ship Oscar Dyson, which utilized a remote controlled deep dive submarine; which besides being fully equipped for taking still photographs in black and white and color, can also do video." Going to a split screen made up of three graphics, "The upper two represent the before and after appearances of the canyon area of the affected region. What had been an 8,000 foot underwater mountain range was now a mere 1,500 feet in height. The bottom photographic from the previous screen shows the aftermath. We are fortunate that this did not trigger a Tsunami."

Cynthia switched to another screen containing known faults that were known to trigger high reading earthquakes when they shifted, "This is a world wide representation of fault lines in the crust of the earth far below the surface." Switching to the Pacific Region, "Outlined in red are the more active ones, which are still shifting even as I speak. The fault that triggered the last Wraith appearance had never had a reading greater than 3 on the Richter Scale till recorded event."

Turning to Commander Kayama, "I owe you my thanks for bring some historic records from the Tokyo Seismology Institute on records that were taken from 1915 to 1927. Charting your outbreaks of the Kouma that plagued Tokyo during those years has helped with our current problem of trying to forecast the appearances of the Sea Wraith."

Tapping the keyboard of the laptop, Cynthia continued; "This is what we can expect to take place in the next 180 days," As the forecast chart appeared on screen John looked with concern.

"Yes John, it is going to get ugly and Task Group Rose will likely see action by March if not before then," as Cynthia turned to look at him, "So you may want to ramp up your operations as your Task Group and the Wisconsin are going to be rather busy." With that she concluded her briefing and sat down.

Standing and walking to the laptop John brought up a diagram made up of the Wisconsin and of the Koubus which were shown to be airborne around the ship, "Tactics is going to be the issue of integrating the combat abilities of the Koubus and the Eisenkleids with the firepower of the Wisconsin. Cynthia was correct about overdoing it with the 16 inch guns. There will be times that the even with the accuracy and utilizing laser targeting will not be an option. It will be up to the Task Group Rose using the Koubus to become a strike team when it comes to close quarters combat."

Switching to a photograph of the Koubu used at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for testing, "This is one units that was recovered from France by the British Army, and stored in England. I had originally toyed with the idea of using an aircraft carrier, for Task Group Rose, but realized that we needed something else. So I chose the Battleship Wisconsin and her formidable armament and armor.

Because land and sea battles are entirely different we had to have a way of making the Koubus and Esienkleid fly. Using a compact jet turbine propulsion system was the answer and with the help of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration we got what we were looking for."

John switched to the next photo showing the backpack attached to the Koubu and its flight testing, "Staff Sergeant Bloomberg was the pilot during the tests and did some rather amazing maneuvers. Though she was not trained in air to air tactics she was game enough to practice against a veteran combat pilot. Commander Oogami you will be pleased at just what these modifications will do for the performance of your combat division.

John continued, "The top end speed of an airborne Koubu is 400 knots, with a flight duration of two hours and 30 minutes at a cruise speed of just 250 knots. Loitering on station can give us four hours of operation. Though I would hope we never would have to operate that long."

Turning to Commander Fujieda and Lieutenant Commander Oogami, John continued "Both of you will work with Captain Sammy Hollister who is a tactical wizard in her own right. The tactics that we need to develop for the Strike Team and the Wisconsin will benefit from your experiences using the Imperial Capital Barricade Formation. I am looking for something that can be utilized while on the move; let's see what we can do about it."

Thursday, January 21st, 2010 –U.S.S. Wisconsin BB-64 – 1100 hours –

Arriving pier side a day early, the ship and its crew prepared to receive Koubus and Eisenkleid's which had been shipped from Area 51. Captain Hollister doing the final meet and greet with the Base Commanding Officer had after escorting him to the quarterdeck returned to her quarters to change.

Her Executive Officer, Chris Tyler and the Chief Engineer Matt Healey were waiting in civilian clothes near the quarterdeck when she put in her appearance. Sammy wearing a soft blue sun dress elicited a low whistle from her Chief Engineer. Looking crossed, "Now Chief watch your manners when we get to the Admirals Estate. From what I understand, several of those young ladies are quite capable of breaking you in half," Smiling as she walked past him and rung off the ship to a waiting car below.

Chris who turned to Matt, "Matt I really think you watch it with those whistles of yours, one day that whistling is really going to get you into some really hot steam," as they walked down the brow, Matt replied; "Chris, you really deserve getting 50 newbie's, you should have enjoyed it while you still had the chance." At a loss of words, Chris got into the vehicle with Matt and it soon moved off headed to the Long Family Estate.

Thursday, January 21st, 2010 –Long Family Estate – 1230 hours –

As the car reached the gated entrance, a U.S. Marine stepped towards the vehicle. Three of his compatriots came from different directions all closely observing the occupants. Sammy eyed the guards who were dressed identically as the Marine standing at the driver's window. None of them showed any emotion or any indication that they were concerned, but their stances clearly signaled that they were ready.

Glancing backward as the gate closed, Sammy could no longer see the Marines which had moments before surrounded the car. Commenting to Chris, "Really wants you to have those guys at the house to keep the magazine salesman at bay," Turning to his Commanding Officer, "It also makes you wish never to encounter them in a dark alley at night too."

Admiral Long informed that Captain Hollister was on the estate grounds, strolled to the main entrance where he was joined by Iris Chateaubriand and Leni Milchstrase both of whom had been coming from History Classes. As the sedan rolled to a stop, Sammy was surprised when John opened the door for her as she was reaching for the handle. Getting out she met Iris and Leni for the first time.

Matt Healey getting out of the front passenger seat shook hands with the Admiral and heard his name being called by a young woman dressed in Chinese style clothing who was running across the lawn from the Reception Hall.

Kohran had been excited to hear that the Chief Engineer Matt Healey was coming to visit them and she wanted to get to know him. Matt spying Kohran, "Hey Kohran how are you doing?" his southern drawl stretching out the "O" in Kohran. Chris getting out of the rear passenger seat, turned towards the reception hall in time to see Kasumi Fuji leading the entire Dream Division to lunch.

Chris, watching the colorful kimonos with their occupants stroll unconcernedly into the reception hall turned to Matt who was getting his hand furiously pumped by Kohran, "Well Matt I guess you was right. I should have enjoyed it while I could." Matt, between the hand shakes spied the Dream Division and could only shrug his shoulders in response.

John led his guests to the Reception Hall for lunch, where after introductions everyone ate. John noted that Matt and Kohran had hit it off immediately, so engrossed in engineering discussions about the Kobuo's and Eisenkleid's not even Sammy was able to get a word edgewise. Turning to Sammy, "How was the remainder of the trip, Captain?" Sammy sitting back, "Considering that it was the first time since 1991 that Wisconsin fired her guns in anger, I would consider it a success; though I have been informed that we may have over done it with firing 6, 16 inch rounds."

John smiling at that comment, "Cynthia was a bit ticked off at me for that firing demonstration, but I am of the same opinion as you are; if it is there kill it the first time and don't give it a second chance."

Adjourning from lunch, John led his guests to the side as the remainder of the introductions concluded and the Task Group Rose members departed for their afternoon classes.

Captain Frank Orkney walking in with Captain Kincaid approached the Admiral, "John sorry to interrupt, but Walter has asked that he be allowed to give an MRI to both Leni and Iris to finish up his medical evaluations." Turning to Captain Kincaid, "Walter I though you had done the MRI at Area 51?" As Walter handed him a file folder, "Unfortunately I did not get to do that as I was having my chest x-rayed after Leni dropped kicked me in the chair." Sammy turned cocking an eyebrow, "Leni dropped kicked you?" As she glanced at Matt giving him an "I told you so look", "Yes, but it was entirely accidental and purely my fault. Her reflexes and power go above superhuman levels and I was unprepared for that kind of reaction. If Iris had not been present, her rebound would have caught me the second time." Sammy who turned to John, "A rebound, just what is Walter talking about?" John looking up from the folder, "Leni after drop kicking Walter back flipped onto the opposite wall and came back at him. If Iris was not present and had not stopped Leni in mid-air, she would have had a second impact with him that would have been devastating."

John handed back the folder to Walter, "Ok you can do it," Turning to Staff Sergeant Bloomberg, "Teresa, you do the driving. Take the Suburban and make sure that Leni and Iris have a change of clothing since by the time the examinations are done it will late. Also have their consort go with them, I believe it is Petty Officer Nina Bell; once done go the Wisconsin for the night and return in the morning with them and Doctor Kincaid. Also find Kohran and have her take her a change of clothing and her mechanics clothing; I am sure Commander Healey will enjoy her company and it will give her and the engineering staff the chance to map out the strategy of making the modifications to the equipment that need to be done before they are loaded on the Wisconsin."

John turning back to Walter, "Let Kohran have a look at the MRI machine just to satisfy her curiosity and if she has any questions about it, have someone with a lot of patience and technical expertise ready for her questions. Petty Officer Bell is allowed to be with them during the MRI examination if they want her. If it had not been for Kohran's analysis of those torture chambers that I found back in 1927, I doubt you would be this far along in your diagnosis Walter." With that John left with Sammy.

Sammy glancing at John, "You seem to have a bit of concern for those two, what gives?" John came to a halt, his blue eyes focused on her; "Sammy, after reading the medical reports of what they did to Leni and finding the proposed examination routine for Iris you could not begin to fathom the amount of pain that Leni endured or the horrors she faced. Iris's examination would in all likelihood have caused immediate death. That is why I am so concerned about it, because I never want to see these type of experiments ever carried out again."

Reaching the waiting car, John advised Matt to expect Kohran later in the evening to which a big grin broke across his features as he entered the car. Looking at Chris, "Expect Leni, Iris and Kohran on the ship tonight Chris, and make sure that their quarters are ready." With that he closed the door for Sammy and rapped on the roof for the driver to depart.

Thursday, January 21st, 2010 – MRI Exam – 1630 hours –

With Petty Officer Bell sitting nearby, Iris was examined first. Captain Kincaid astonished at what was displayed had the battery of tests redone. The technicians reading the results were astonished as well and began to confer after Iris was removed from the Open MRI machine. Walter began to surmise why the German scientists had been so bent on obtaining Iris for experimentation.

After examining Leni without incident and seeing the damage that had been done by the previous experiments, Walter's own opinion joined that of Admiral John Long that no such experiments should ever be carried out again. Kohran, who had kept the company representative of the manufacture of the Open MRI machine busy for nearly two hours with questions; the company representative was finally relieved when Kohran left with Iris and Leni. Only one other person had put him through the paces before and that was Captain Walter Kincaid.

Leaving the hospital at 1800 hours, Teresa wheeled the Suburban towards the Wisconsin where they arrived 30 minutes later. Getting both Iris and Leni settled with their consort hovering nearby in case she was needed, Teresa called Commander Matt Healey to notify him that Kohran was onboard.

Captain Kincaid after having a late meal, retired to a borrowed cabin and began to write his lengthy report, it would take him until 0200 hours the next morning to complete.

Thursday, January 21st, 2010 – U.S.S. Wisconsin BB-64 – 1900 hours –

Leni and Iris asked Petty Officer Bell to take them on a tour of the ship, which she did. Encountering Kohran and Matt in the hanger bay where the Koubu would be stored, Leni walked over to the two spare machines now onboard. Both had been painted glossy white, it was her comments that surprised Matt to whom Leni addressed, "This is my old machine from France that I left behind when I went to Japan. The other is the machine that belonged to a friend who died there." Matt who apologized for not knowing about the history of the machines was taken aback when Leni thanked him for fixing both machines as it brought back happy memories. With that Leni and Iris departed to continue the rest of the tour.

Kohran peering at both recognizing that they were earlier models than what Task Group Rose had at a nearby warehouse, added to her work list the modifications that she would have to make to them as well and going back to the workshop; both Matt and Kohran would talk into the early morning hours, while jotting notes on schematics.

Friday, January 22nd, 2010 – Long Family Estate – 0900 hours –

The Suburban and its occupants after being closely scrutinized again by the Marine Security Force personnel passed through the open gate. Captain Sammy Hollister returning to the Estate with Captain Kincaid along with Iris and Leni glanced back again as the gate closed and wondered where the Marines withdrew to. Teresa looking in the rearview mirror saw her questioning look, "They are back where they are supposed to be, unseen and unheard. That's why those men and women are so good at what they do Captain," As Sammy replied, "There were female Marines back there?" Teresa nodding in the affirmative, and holding up her hand and showing three fingers with amusement reflected in her eyes.

John had spent the previous evening with the other members in a question and answer session and with Kaede and Ichiro present discussed the development of a barrier defense based on former Imperial Spiritual Barricade Formation. It was John's personal assessment that there could be a way to do it on the move, either utilizing the Wisconsin as the center focal point with Iris onboard or elsewhere on another ship nearby. The only way to know if it would work was to "borrow" a significant number of ships to test the theory. His only option would be a carrier battlegroup.

Throughout the session, Leni's Chow had stayed at his side resting its head on his knee. When it came time for bed, the dog had followed him to his cottage and refusing to be left outside eventually made its way to John's bed where he found the 75 pound animal after awaking, laying on his legs; its head looking at him with its coal black eyes.

Rising at his usual early morning hour, it became his running partner along with Kanna and Sakura and kept up the strong pace from beginning to end.

When alerted to the arrival of the Suburban while in the morning staff meeting, John reached down and patted the dog softly on its head and whispered to it that Leni was back. Watching in amusement as the dog scrambled for the door, he followed after dismissing the staff for the rest of the day.

Seeing that Sammy was back but not Kohran, Sammy held out a sealed envelope for him to open. Noting that it was from Matt Healey he opened it and read the contents, "Damn I should have known!" as he put the letter back in. Captain Orkney who heard John's comments, "John something wrong?" as John turned to Frank; "Yes, the Eisenkleid and the Koubu that were found in France by the British in 1945, well one of them originally belonged to Leni and the other apparently belonged to a friend of hers killed in combat."

John looking at Sammy asked, "Where is Kohran?" Sammy smiled, "She is with Matt at the warehouse preparing the Koubus for their modifications. I did tell them both to be here by 1100 hours." John nodding in his approval, "Well let's hope the Wisconsin is still intact when she comes back here, otherwise Matt is going to pull an all niter to get the ship back together." Sammy who had the night before while doing a tour of the ship had found Matt stuck in an access panel on the spare Koubu with Kohran trying to get him unstuck by yanking on his legs to no avail. Sammy had to finally call for reinforcements in the form of two burly Enginemen to get Matt out of the access hatch.

Seeing Walter, John asked "Well what did you find out?" Captain Kincaid glancing up, "We had better go inside for this, there are some things I need to show you."

Seeing that the presentation laptop was in place, Walter put in a CD-ROM and began.

Describing as best as he could in laymen terms to what was displayed and then showing a photograph of Iris's brain activity after she made Jean-Paul fly around Petty Officer Bell, it was to John like watching July 4th fireworks only in a smaller scale.

Sitting back John asked, "So my guess was correct that the scientists were going to use Iris to try to replicate or create similar activity in others." Walter punched up the next photo which was of Leni's MRI, "That was what they were going to try to do, but with that archaic machine that they were utilizing, they would have instead killed Iris during the attempt. I read the engineering analysis from the Air Force people at Area 51. John, there would have been no way for them to accomplish the project with the machine and I am in agreement; it was a torture device. Bringing it back with you likely saved some innocent people from the same fate," Kaede sitting across from the Admiral silently nodded her agreement.

John turned to Leni and Iris, "Both of you should know that I had the equipment destroyed so that it could never harm anyone again," and hearing that Walter giving thanks to that statement, he asked him to continue on Leni's situation.

Walter split the display screen, on the left Leni's MRI scan and on the right the MRI scan of a healthy 17 year old test subject with normal activity. Tapping another key, he split the monitor into three photographs and utilizing a laser pointer, "Leni's is on the left, the test subject is on the right and Iris's is on the bottom. I found a Public Service Radio Station that was playing a particularly stirring movement of a piano and a violin, a piece that would bring out some emotion and that was at that point that Leni's slide was taken. Iris's brain activity, highly active as she was moving Jean-Paul around Petty Officer Bell, who I had then walk around the room with the bear orbiting her, this slide was taken at that moment."

Walter described the electrical activity that exists in all human bodies and which assisted with sending "electronic" messages throughout the human body. John who had provided a demonstration in electricity to Leni while at the Imperial Theater asked Walter to skip that description after telling him what he had done.

Walter looking at Leni, "You of course see the damage that was done. Of primary concern was the damage to the neural pathways. The good news is that you are recovering, but slowly. Surgically speaking there is little I can do, and even if I could the risk would be too great. Leni, you will eventually "build" new pathways and your emotional feelings will return but not to a level that you would remember having."

As John paused the doctor, "In relation to the reflexes and the strength that she displays, will it return to normal levels or remain the same?" Walter thought a moment, concluding his diagnosis, "She will in all likelihood retain the skills she posses and I might note, that Leni is using more than 55 percent of her brain with Iris topping close to 90 percent while we ordinary folks have to make do with using only 10 percent." Closing the program and retrieving the disk which he gave to John, Walter sat down.

Walter who ruffled the folder, "Now that I have a baseline, I would like to check up on Leni in six months to take another scan, as I want to chart the progress of her recovery. It will benefit the medical community as victims of accidents who suffer similar injures can be treated." John looked at Leni, who nodded yes. Walter stood and asked permission to depart for Washington which John gave his permission. "John, I am giving a briefing to the President on Leni's situation. You put a bug in his ear and you have got his attention on this matter. Don't waste it." With that Captain Kincaid walked out the door to pack.