Sakura Wars: The 21st Century

Circle of Faith

By Steve Edward

The Sakura War Characters within this story are not owned by me. They are based on the original Sakura Wars and Sakura Wars: The Movie story lines by Ohji Hiroi. Additional characters utilized by me are my own creation. Any resemblances to persons living or dead and events are purely coincidental.

Prologue

Now known to the world as the Rose Combat Division their arrival home at Tokyo, Japan onboard the United States Navy Battleship USS Wisconsin BB-64 was tumultuous and heartwarming on March 15, 2010. They have come home to a different city than that they had left 83 years before.

As they begin their new lives in the 21st century, they have to adjust to a vastly changed world. For Admiral John Long who brought them to the year 2010 helping them cope is just one problem in it self since there is also the matter of Sea Wraiths, creatures born within the sea. Some of the questions why the Sea Wraiths appeared in the first place have been answered. How to effectively fight them is another, Admiral John Long looks to find out ways to end this deadly demonic outbreak; that since the year 2007 has claimed nearly 100,000 lives.

Sakura Wars: The 21st Century

Circle of Faith

By Steve Edward

Chapter 1

Saturday, March 20th, 2010 – Tokyo – 0500 hours –

Captain Frank Orkney stepping out of the small but well equipped galley bringing Admiral Long his coffee mused that since the arrival of Task Group Rose Tokyo, that if anything the workload had doubled for the immediate staff.

The idea of having a small core staff had been fine while embarked on the Wisconsin, but with Admiral Long's newly built headquarters Captain Orkney had been getting additional staff in place.

Admiral Long who had been in since 0300 hours to teleconference with Washington D.C. and Pearl Harbor stood up and accepted the cup of coffee from his Chief of Staff and then walked to the window.

Looking out into the harbor, Admiral John Long his eyes taking in the expanse of the city that really never slept now let his thoughts wonder. Staff Sergeant Teresa Bloomberg was not with Task Group Rose this early morning. Her step-mother Abby who had lived in Long Island, New York had suffered a heart attack and despite the best efforts of doctors in New York she had passed away. Abby who had been given the gift of sailing onboard the Queen Elizabeth 2 from England by Teresa was onboard the ship when the Sea Wraith had appeared off of Long Island in March of 2007.

Teresa who had been waiting to see the ship arrive and pickup her step-mother had watched as the USS Doyle FFG-39 had engaged the Sea Wraith that tried to attack the ocean liner. Staff Sergeant Bloomberg a decorated veteran of the Iraq war had commandeered a speed boat to rescue a man that in all likelihood had saved not only her step-mother but thousands of others when he rammed the Sea Wraith with the Navy frigate and detonated the missile magazine. Badly wound and unconscious after the explosion then Rear Admiral John Long sank into the waters of Long Island Sound.

Staff Sergeant Bloomberg diving into a sea awash in flames from the burning fuel spilling from the wrecked frigate, had managed to grab his shredded life vest and pull him to safety.

Teresa who has been on the admiral's staff for three years was on her way to New York, John looking at his watch estimated that Teresa would have arrived in New York eight hours earlier but she would not have to bear her grief alone. Will Long and Martha Long having been called by their son had flown from San Diego, California on the Flowers Investments Gulf Stream 6 and had been at the airport to meet her when she landed.

The funeral would be Saturday afternoon in New York; Abby would be laid to rest next to her late husband Fred who had been a Detective with the New York City Police Department. Fred Bloomberg had died while trying to save lives on September 11, 2001, and had been the reason Teresa was in the Marines.

Saturday, March 20th, 2010 – Tokyo – 0900 hours –

With his day having started at 0300 on this Saturday morning, Admiral John Long reviewing Commander Yuichi Kayama's reports regarding the discovery of two more demonic seals. Yuichi had hit the ground running, his mandate was simple. Locate any surviving seals. One that had been found was on the grounds of a high school in southern Japan, near the location of a furious sea battle waged three years earlier by Captain Sammy Hollister when she had commanded the USS Vincennes CG-49.

The other seal within a small village, part of the town square and the green space of the village. Scientific studies were being undertaken of both. Special search teams had been formed and upon further reports of any demonic seals being discovered the teams would be dispatched to investigate.

Professor Lenny Irvine Walters, who had played a crucial role in researching the famed Imperial Flower Combat Division prior to the time travel mission, had arrived in Tokyo the day before. Still trying to overcome his jet lag he sat across from the admiral half asleep yawning, "John dragging me half way around the world when I could have accomplished the same job in Washington is a bit much" as Lenny yawned again. John smiling slightly, "Well considering the office space and staff that you have here I believe you will enjoy working here."

Professor Walters who had flown on a military transport because of the luggage he had was still crossed with Admiral Long. The luggage had consisted of eleven tons of historical records brought back from 1927. Records relating to the Kouma Wars fought from 1915 to early 1927, which had been loaded on the last transporter to leave the Imperial Theater. Kohran Ri had managed to find the only soft spot in the rural field and had got the heavy Koubu transporter stuck. It had taken a United States Marine Corps manned M1A1 Abrahams Main Battle Tank to free the vehicle and bring it through the doorway. The records having been translated and now accessible in digital form at the touch of a key had been utilized to some extent with the Sea Wraiths. The original books, priceless and irreplaceable had been transferred to the Japanese Government for safe keeping and closer examination.

Quietly knocking Commander Kaede Fujieda entered the admiral's office, "Admiral sorry to disturb you but Captain Orkney has asked could you come and meet the new office staff. He states that all are in place and waiting." Standing and acknowledging the request, Admiral Long looked at Professor Walters, "Lenny you were already itching to come to Tokyo in the first place so stop whining about the flight. I want you to start Monday morning on the translations of what we found on the seals. You will have the manpower and computer power to do what you want. Go home and get some sleep."

Pausing briefly in the outer office at Staff Sergeant Bloomberg's desk which was unoccupied, Admiral Long his finger tips touching the desk said a silent prayer then moved on. Entering the main administrative office area Admiral Long gazed at his new staff all who were standing. Each bowing as he passed they returned to their individual duties. Captain Orkney standing at the back greeted the admiral and gave him a run down on his new staff.

Completing the meet and greet, Admiral Long departed and headed for the equipment hanger where the Koubu and Eisenkleids were being kept when not onboard the Wisconsin. Conducting an inspection of the facilities and its personnel the admiral who was satisfied with how things were going decided he had spent enough of the day at work and that it was now time to go shopping. Since the Rose Combat Division was having its first get together since arriving in Japan, Admiral Long had wanted to prepare some dishes for the event and he would have to go to a local market that he had found a couple of days earlier.

Saturday, March 20th, 2010 – Tokyo – 1400 hours –

The ubiquitous sight of Admiral John Long driving the massive Suburban had caused some chuckles among the base personnel. Captain Orkney who had recommended that a substitute driver be obtained had been turned down by Admiral Long who was already familiar with Tokyo and stating he had no need for a nurse maid still ended up with company. Commander Kaede Fujieda, Lieutenant Lachette Altair, Lieutenant Kanna Kirishima, and Lieutenant Junior Grade Iris Chateaubriand had piled into the Suburban with Admiral Long. All were dressed in civilian clothes for the trip out on the town.

There was no ignoring the massive Chevrolet Suburban as it made its way through traffic, the vehicle having been built in Canada had been transported to a specialized conversion facility then torn apart and completely rebuilt. The vehicle had been armored and could withstand a direct hit from anti-tank weapons and still run. On its front end a brush guard that served not only to deflect hostile fire but could double as a ram. Kohran who had been fascinated with the vehicle had crawled under, over and inside the vehicle while it was stored on the Wisconsin for the trip to Japan. Entering the side parking lot of the market Admiral Long climbed out and after the others had exited the vehicle armed the security system. So far the security system had never had to activate to defend the vehicle, but if required to do so anyone attempting to gain access would find out the hard and painful way just how well the Suburban was protected.

Knowing that Kanna had an appetite that defied even Admiral Long's reasoning for a meal, the Suburban had been brought along for that reason. It could carry a lot of groceries. Getting several shopping carts, the Admiral and his party began to shop. His massive shopping list split between the groups they headed to different parts of the store. The elderly shop owners who had just two years earlier had considered closing their market for the lack of business had stayed open after the support base for the Rose Combat Division and the USS Wisconsin had been built. The neighborhood once seedy and rundown had been revitalized. Though not as bad as it had been, there were still criminal elements that wanted to cause harm. Unknown to the Admiral, one such group was about to be encountered.

The blue Honda that had seen better days pulled in the front of the small market, its occupant's members of a local street gang having cased the store earlier were going after the cash taken in during the noon day shopping. Three of the four occupants exited the car, the driver stayed with the engine running on the lookout for street cops. Entering the store the hoodlums split apart. One had followed the elderly male store owner discreetly to the back office where the safe was. Of the other two, one stayed near the door and the remaining hoodlum made for the elderly female at the cash register. It was Iris who sensed something was wrong and alerted Admiral Long, "John there is something bad about to happen here," just as he had put four massive roasts in the basket of the cart.

Discreetly looking around John observed the activity at the front of the small market on a convex mirror mounted at the corner in the front. Catching the eye of Kanna and Lachette he motioned them quietly over, "Kanna, Lachette, I believe the store is about to be robbed. Kanna go down the center aisle, Lachette go down the far side aisle," Kaede coming around the corner with Kohran had heard the warning joined the Admiral. Kaede had noted the blue car in the loading zone in the front of the market, "Admiral there appears to be a vehicle waiting in the loading perhaps it is related to them?" as Admiral Long casually strolled to a nearby shelf he observed the vehicle. Both passenger doors were ajar.

Just what he did not need he mused, someone wanting to rob the store with them in it; as he walked back to the cart next to Kohran he handed her the key fob and key to the Suburban, "Kohran go out the back entrance and get to the Suburban. Use the communication system to call the base and tell them that the market we are at is being robbed. Then I want you to drive the Suburban to the front and create a diversion. There is a delivery truck parked ahead of that car.

Use the push bumper and trap that car against it. When you hit the car, that will be our diversion, to take out the robbers who are in the store," looking down at Iris; "Iris stay back here out of the way ok?" Iris nodding that she understood stayed with the shopping carts. Though John and Kaede were armed, he did not want any gunplay instructing that firearms be used as a last resort, the group parted their separate ways.

Kohran started the Suburban and motored out of the side parking lot and into the loading zone lane. Calling the Security Detachment Office and advising of the situation; Kohran lined the vehicle up on the Honda and she pressed the accelerator to the floor. The heavily modified Duramax Diesel answering the call pushed her back into the seat. The get-a-way driver heard the diesel powered Suburban accelerating.

With his seat reclined too far back, the impact of the 13,500 pound Suburban catapulted him into the steering wheel and two seconds later the Honda slammed into the back of the delivery truck which had a reinforced loading platform. The airbag deploying hit him full force driving him backward into the seat which then broke. The rear passenger door already open, its hinges broken at moment of impact slid up the sidewalk before coming to a stop at a trash can.

Admiral Long ignoring the impact went after the lookout who was gawking at the Suburban, which was backing away from the Honda. Feeling a tap on his shoulder he turned and only saw two very deep blue eyes then felt a fist as it connected followed by a great deal of pain as his feet were kicked out from under him.

Kanna approaching the surprised hoodlum at the cash register kicked his feet out from under him and sent him flying down a nearby aisle, where Kaede delivered a hit of her own as he attempted to regain his footing. That hoodlum ended up head first in the lettuce bin, out cold.

The remaining hoodlum making his way out with the elderly store owner came face to face with Admiral Long, "I would suggest you let him go otherwise I can not guarantee that you will walk out of here," the hoodlum smirking; shoved the store owner at Admiral Long. Turning to run he encountered Lachette, who had come out of the aisle. Trying to intimidate her, he clicked open the switch blade. Lachette glancing at Admiral Long who had rolled his eyes at the thugs attempt to intimidate only shrugged his shoulders and stepped out of the way taking the elderly man with him. With a demur smile, Lachette advanced on the hoodlum who made the mistake of lunging at her.

Realizing he had missed, the hoodlum spun around but noticed he was missing something, which was his knife. Lachette smiling at him, "Are you looking for this?" As she held up the switch blade knife; which she began flipping between and around her fingers, a large can of cream of corn sailed through the air and impacted onto the hoodlum's head, the impact so great that the can ruptured splattering the hoodlum who collapsed to the ground. Iris still standing at the grocery carts had sent the can sailing from a nearby shelf.

John looking about accounted for his companions, then directed Kaede and Kanna to check the rest of the small market for any additional hoodlums. In the distance, sirens could be heard. Ensuring that the shop owners were safe he stepped outside.

The lead Tokyo Police cruiser slid to a stop, behind it a US Navy Hummer and exiting the vehicle was Captain Frank Orkney and Maria Tachibana, her Glock 21 C at the ready by her side. Frank taking in the pulverized Honda, "Well John have you been giving driving lessons to Kohran?" as the dazed driver was yanked out of the car by a policeman.

Shaking his head no John replied, "No on the driving lessons. We were preoccupied with the robbery. There are three more inside." Hearing the exit door opening Admiral Long turned and watched as Kanna tossed the three hoodlums' one at a time onto the sidewalk.

Frank observing their landings on the sidewalk, "Well I guess the trash has been removed," as additional Tokyo Police Officers scrambled to take the hoodlums into custody.

Saturday, March 20th, 2010 – New York – 0600 hours –

Will Long ever the early riser, was sitting on the couch in the Presidential Suite of the Ritz Carlton watching the Cable News Network. Switching between CNN, MSNBC and Fox News he had taken in the coverage of the robbery attempt in Tokyo which members of the Rose Combat Division had stopped. Captain Frank Orkney giving a brief interview had stated what had happened. The footage of the crumpled and smoking Honda then an interior shot of the small market had completed the news report. Picking up the phone, he dialed the private line of his son Admiral John Long.

Saturday, March 20th, 2010 – Tokyo – 2000 hours –

In the kitchen of his living quarters preparing for the get together on Sunday afternoon, Admiral Long had been searing the roasts in an iron skillet when the phone rang. His sister, Doctor Cynthia Long answered the phone. John held out his hand already knowing who was calling, "Yes Father, everyone is fine," as Cynthia could hear her father, "John just what the hell were you thinking?"

Iris who was helping John prepare the meal for tomorrow tapped him on the arm and held out her hand. John seeing Iris holding out her hand gave her the phone.

Iris waited for the tirade to end then spoke, "Mr. Will Long this is Iris, and John did what had to be done as we all did. Fortunately no one was seriously hurt and the bad men are in jail. Please take that in mind and have a nice day. Goodbye," as she put the phone back in the cradle, Will Long in New York having just had Iris hang the phone up on him was tempted to call John back but thought better of it, and started to laugh as Martha wondering what was going on came out of the bedroom to hear his story.

Iris hopping down from the stool walked past Cynthia and then paused, "Mr. Long means well but John handled the situation correctly and in a professional manner which speaks volumes," Cynthia munching on a carrot with a puzzled look could only blink her eyes in response. Turning back to the stove, John continued preparing the roasts. He could only imagine what the Chairman of JCS was thinking right about now.

Sunday, March 20th, 2010 – Tokyo – 1300 hours –

Dress casually sitting on the grassy hillside, United States Senator Mack Kelley a Republican hailing from Georgia and head of the Senate Armed Forces Committee sat next to Admiral John Long who was similarly attired in civvies. Senator Kelley who had been on pre-planned tour of US Military interests in Japan had asked to visit the support base for Task Group Rose. Admiral Long happy to have an old Navy shipmate drop in for a visit had told him of the get together that Task Group Rose was having with the base personnel and their families.

Mack took in the gathering and estimated that there were nearly 500 present. Admiral Long having just welcomed Sakura Shinguji back from her family reunion sat back down and glanced at the Senator, "Well Mack anything on your mind?" as the Admiral deflected a wayward soccer ball that had been headed for the Senator.

Taking a sip of tea, "John you certainly pulled it off, it was rather regrettable about the security leak; but it was well handled from your end." John shaking his head, "I wish we could have handled it better. I would have preferred a different means of introducing the former Imperial Flower Division to the world."

A wild introduction it had been for the Rose Combat Division. The battle at Hilo, Hawaii followed with the Marshall Islands incident then Task Force 77 and likely the straw that broke the camels back; the attempted holdup at the market. Admiral Long wished for once that the Rose Combat Division and the USS Wisconsin was not in the news. He had been amazed at how well composed the members of Task Group Rose have been. The requests for interviews had continued to come in. The Public Affairs Officer who was newly assigned, Lieutenant Junior Grade Isaac Clay had his hands full just answering the requests even with his office staff of 10.

Mack took in the Dream Division, fifty in all as they were trying to learn the complexities of soccer from Japanese children who belonged to the base support personnel, "John how are things with the Dream Division?" as John jumped up and unadmirallike head butted another wayward ball back to the players; "Improving. They were all orphans when they were recruited for the original Dream Division in the 1920's. In relative years they are the same age as most of those children that belong to the base support personnel. The kids are being accepted for what they are. We have a school here on the base that will assist in their continuing education. Their English skills are astonishing, considering that in less than three months they have reached the level of that equal to a 12th grade education level."

Mack chuckled, "Well I guess being stuck on a Battleship has it advantages," as Kanna walked up and greeted the Senator, "Hi Chief welcome to the party," and shook his hand. Mack wincing from the hand shake, "Thank you Kanna, it is a pleasure to be here," with Admiral Long looking on; the Senator discreetly flexed his hand.

Mack glanced at Admiral Long, "Does she do that all the time?" which John replied; "Yes most of the time," as Kanna sat her towering frame next to the Senator, she quickly stood back up and kicked another soccer ball only a bit too hard. The ball rocketing skyward disappeared into the sun, headed in the general direction of the USS Wisconsin.

Captain Sammy Hollister preparing to leave the USS Wisconsin for the party heard the wayward soccer ball as it slammed into the aft 16 inch turret and violently deflated. Chief Bremer who was the Officer of Deck carefully checked skyward for any other flying objects and picked it up off the fantail. Captain Hollister having a good idea where it had come from takes it from the Chief and leaves the ship.

Arriving a few minutes later, Sammy finds that several soccer games are in progress and watching from the hill side is Admiral John Long, Senator Mack Kelley and of course Lieutenant Commander Kanna Kirishima. Walking up to John, "Well did someone loose a soccer ball?" handing the deflated ball to Kanna, Sammy joined the Admiral, who was pondering where it had landed, "Sammy where did you find it?" Sammy deadpanned, "It slammed into the aft 16 inch turret and deflated rather abruptly. Then Chief Bremer picked it up. I took it with me on the way here." The Senator who was gazing at the upper works of the USS Wisconsin, "Captain that would have to be a good 2/10ths of a mile."

Sammy nodding, "That would be about right."

John glanced at Kanna, "Kanna please watch how hard you kick something like that. It was fortunate that no one was in the path of the ball when it landed," as Kanna spying another wayward ball head butted it back, "I'll remember Chief," as she ran off. Deciding it was time to find another place to relax, Admiral Long and Senator Kelley with Captain Hollister headed for the picnic area which was well away from the enthusiastic soccer players.

Getting down to the serious discussion, Admiral Long spoke; "Mack you are not just here for a reunion? What is really on your mind besides the Dream Division?" as the Admiral pulled a chair out from the table for Sammy.

Mack sitting down across from Admiral Long looked around and satisfied no one was within earshot, "John to be quite frank, you have been putting your neck out too much. Hell when I first heard of the plan of doing the time travel mission to 1927, I thought it was science fiction. But when I heard who was going to make the trip, I personally lobbied the President not to allow you to go. But you did it anyway."

Taking a sip of his tea Mack continued, "When you pulled it off and the President made the notification that the mission was successful, I breathed a sigh of relief. When the President told me of his personal visit with the Rose and Dream Divisions in San Diego and his talk with them; I still was not comfortable because I knew you would be sticking your neck out again on something else and I was right. What the hell would you have done had there been a recall order issued for you and the Wisconsin to return to San Diego? Fight your way to Japan?"

Seeing where it was going John replied, "Mack, I gave that thought some serious consideration, but when the crews of the escort ships sent messages that they would have disobeyed the recall orders; a certain Navy Journalist pulled one off and got the true story out. Hence the disgrace of a blabbermouth from Ohio, who I might add was not on your committee. However had he been a member guess who I would have come after. It would have been you Mack."

Sammy stepped in seeing that it was getting heated, "Both of you settle down. Senator, the Admiral did what he did and its water under the proverbial bridge. But you know that we are in a risky business. Being in the military carries a lot of risk as you should know since John fished you out of the water not once but twice and both times under heavy hostile fire. Then you took a risk. The filibuster on Capital Hill, nearly twenty-six hours worth, which you read the specifications of the Koubus and Eisenkleids right down to the color of the paint on each one. When you finished that, you read the specifications of the Wisconsin. Finally you read the biographies of the Rose Combat Division, before we had even uploaded them to the Pentagon. Their individual stories, the sacrifices that every single one of them made including the Dream Division to come to the year 2010. Out of the entire group only Sakura Shinguji has any relatives that she can consider being family and they are only distant family, and then there were the photographs of them being displayed as you read. Only one person had been alone long enough to take them and it had been the President of the United States. He gave you those photographs. The clincher was the group shot, I do not know how he did it in that cramped room alone but he did."

Mack sat back in his chair, "Guilty as charged, Captain. I knew John needed time to get things organized, so I asked the President what he had talked about and what he had done. When he told me that he had discussed their personal histories, I asked him to send me everything he had which he did, including the pictures." Looking over at the soccer players, "There is another reason I am here as well. Though my tour of the bases here in Japan was pre-planned before your jaunt to 1927, I have been asked to convey a request directly from the President to you John. The Chairmanship for the Joint Chiefs of Staff is going to be vacated. Allen wants to spend more time with his family. The seat is yours if you want it John."

Sitting back in his chair, Admiral Long absorbed the news. Getting out of the chair and looking at the Senator from Georgia he shook his head no, "Mack, I am honored and humbled that I would be considered for the position but the answer is no. I've still got unfinished business here. The Rose and Dream Divisions need someone they can trust and come to when they need to. Tell the President thanks, but I have to decline."

Mack already expecting the answer stood, "I'll tell him the answer was as he expected and leave it at that." Heading to the buffet together, Mack spied a roast, "Is that yours?" as he made a beeline for it John replied, "Yes Mack it is. Done just the way you like it."

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010 – Tokyo – 0400 hours –

Making the morning run from his living quarters to the headquarters building accompanied by Lieutenant Commander Oogami and Lieutenant Commander Maria Tachibana, Admiral John Long having showered and changed was going over the morning message traffic. Commander Kayama's report of the demonic seal discovery on the island of Tangea-Shima and its unusual properties had caught his attention. Besides the standard formation and placement, the seals appeared to be sitting on a large circular bed of flat stones.

A team of archeologists from the University of Tokyo were at the island excavating the site by hand to uncover the stone bed which contained unknown writings. Professor Lenny Walters had been notified of the discovery on Monday and had flown out to the island. Professor Walters had then requested the archeologists from Tokyo that evening.

Reading further, Admiral Long noted that the same phenomena found at Brat Chirpoyev also existed. Looking at the previously located seals, he traced their positions on a chart and took note of the lineup.

The quiet knock on the door announced the presence of Staff Sergeant Teresa Bloomberg, who had returned to Tokyo. Arriving Monday morning she had appeared later that afternoon much to the surprise of Admiral Long. Since Will Long had assisted with legal matters in New York and Teresa did not want to stay any longer in an empty apartment that held too many painful memories she flew back to Japan Sunday evening.

Handing the admiral his coffee Teresa stepped back, "Admiral it appears you can not stay out of trouble even for a little bit," Teresa referring to the incident at the off base market.

John turned, "Trouble seems to be finding me. At least I was not by myself."

Teresa walking to the window viewed the Suburban parked below, "Did you really have Kohran drive it into the car?" as John joined her, "I had meant for her to trap the car between the Suburban and a delivery truck but she underestimated the horsepower and acceleration. Pancaking the car was not my idea. It just came out that way." The brush guard and push bumper manufactured from titanium, with a powder coating in black and fitted with shock absorbers to the frame of the vehicle had been unscathed from the encounter with the Honda.

Walking back to his desk, Admiral Long taking in the schedule quipped "Oh nuts, I forgot about that today." Staff Sergeant Bloomberg joining him looked over his shoulder and read "Doctor N. Seagram 0800 hours. Stitch removal." Admiral Long who had been shot at Okinawa and reinjured afterward was finally getting his stitches removed. Teresa taken aback by his comment, "Admiral, how can you forget something like that?"

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010 – Tangea-Shima – 1100 hours –

Professor Lenny Irvin Walters on his hands and knees with a thick welder's cloth to help deflect the heat radiating from the demonic seal was head to head with Yuria Nishhara, who like him welded a horse hair brush carefully removing accumulated sand and dirt from the base of the inner seal. Yuria a student at the University of Tokyo had volunteered to join her classmates at the dig.

The ancient writings stopped exactly one meter from the rounded base. The temperatures more bearable than those at Brat Chirpoyev, they still were at 100 degrees on the stones themselves though there was no sun shine and it was heavy overcast. The temperatures outside the seal ring itself hovered in the mid-40s'. Studying the ancient script, Professor Walters concluded that their origins predated the Ming Dynasty by some 5,000 years. Unlike Egyptian hieroglyphics there were no pictographs or other more familiar graphs that would help the reader understand what was being communicated. It was an entirely unknown and alien language.

Preparing the camera tripod for vertical shooting, Professor Walters carefully marked his subjective starting point and began the difficult process of photographing the 60 meter diameter ring of flat stones. He hoped that the writings would jog someone's memory.

Friday, March 26th, 2010 – Tokyo – 1800 hours –

Three separate radio reports had been received regarding the sighting of two Sea Wraiths near the town of Hota, Japan. The Sea Wraiths were reportedly entering Tokyo Harbor. Not having received a seismic activity report, the Sea Wraiths appearance had been written off to wanderers, which were not unheard of but very rare.

The Rose Combat Division had been scrambled, and the USS Wisconsin though not steaming could still fire her main batteries if needed went to battle stations.

The UAV launched from the Wisconsin had been above and behind the Rose Combat Division when the ambush was executed. The video feed captured the launching of the surface to air missiles and their impacts. The first one slammed into Leni's Eisenkleid followed by a second impact in Iris's Koubu. Both were scouting the eastern shoreline near Hota when they were hit. A third unseen missile then destroyed the UAV which blinded the Wisconsin and the Task Group Rose shore based Combat Information Center, the time 0255 hours.

Leni and Iris both wrestled with their respective machines in an attempt to regain control, but the damage to the propulsion systems had been fatal. Both crashed landed onto two separate islands northwest of Hota. Commander Oogami had ordered the remaining Rose Combat Division to the ground, in an effort to locate the attackers. Only the empty canisters of surface to air missiles had been found. The missiles were of Russian origins.

Both Leni and Iris were flying at low speed. The indicated air speed from both units showed 150 knots at impact. Had they been going flat out, it likely would have meant both would have disintegrated, but in testament to their builders the machines had held together till impact on the rocky shoreline of the islands. Still the injuries had been bad. Both had concussions, Leni had two fractured ribs and a dislocated shoulder. Iris also had a concussion, a broken rib and hair line fracture in her left femur.

There were no Sea Wraith found and it was determined to have been a hoax. Admiral John Long stood seething in the hallway of the Intensive Care Unit at Tokyo General Hospital. Both Iris and Leni were in medical induced coma's to help ease their pain, behind Admiral Long the remainder of the Rose Combat Division stood. It could have easily been any of them laying on the beds in ICU. Sakura Shinguji had only seen the admiral as angry as he was now and that had been inside the Imperial Theater after the attempt to kill Iris and Leni, but besides seeing his rage she could feel it too. Staff Sergeant Bloomberg sensed it as well knowing he would not rest until he found those responsible.

To be continued...