Sakura Wars: The 21st Century
Circle of Faith
By Steve Edward
Chapter 3
Saturday, April 3rd, 2010 – Tokyo – 1400 hours –
Admiral John Long exited the small market with his purchases followed by Staff Sergeant Teresa Bloomberg. It had been the same market where nearly three weeks earlier the admiral had encountered street hoodlums bent on holding up the mom and pop store. This time no incidents, just a normal shopping trip. A prominently placed sign at the entrance to the market had elicited a smile from the admiral when he had entered.
"This market is frequented by members of the United States Navy Task Group Rose and United States Navy Battleship USS Wisconsin BB-64. Causing harm to proprietors is considered ill advised."
The revitalized neighborhood was attracting new businesses and residents. Incidents of street crime and vandalism had plummeted since Task Group Rose had arrived at its new home. Criminal elements knew their limitations and none of their kind wanted to tangle with the Rose Combat Division. The four men involved in the robbery attempt were going to be spending a considerable period of time behind bars in a Japanese prison.
Admiral Long had gone shopping to prepare for the Cherry Blossom Festival that is celebrated locally, and the weather forecast for Sunday was excellent.
Sunday, April 4th, 2010 – Tokyo – 1100 hours –
Sitting under the trees brought back memories for many of Task Group Rose. The meals that had been prepared ranged from American style dinner dishes to Japanese to Chinese. Admiral John Long reflected briefly back to 1980, thirty years to the day when he was introduced to Claire Wells. The admiral then a lieutenant was visiting Tokyo on a Navy cruiser. He and Claire had hit it right off. Claire the daughter of a Navy Captain serving as a liaison with the US Embassy had promised to meet John when his ship returned to San Diego.
Claire had kept her promise and John who had been wrestling with how to propose to her did so right there on the pier. They were married in August of 1980. It was June of 1981 when Matthew was born. Still a lieutenant, John was deployed to the Persian Gulf when he was born. After transferring to Norfolk, Virginia in 1983 with his family Lieutenant John Long was promoted to Lieutenant Commander.
While John continued with his career, Claire had become active in the Navy community and very popular among both officer wives and the wives of enlisted men. Claire had taken up the issue of aiding the wives of enlisted personnel who had run into difficulties while their husbands were deployed.
Like many military towns, Norfolk, Virginia had its share of bad apples in the business community. Mrs. Claire Long became an advocate for the enlisted community, after John had commented one day of the troubles of an enlisted man under his command that had purchased a car for his wife. After hearing the sordid details; Claire decided to launch classes at the local Navy Community Center on financial survival and even how to buy a car. Claire herself ruefully commented, "The military teaches our young men and women how to fight and survive but they don't bother with how to balance a damn checkbook."
Crooked businesses soon learned it was not wise to cross swords with Mrs. Claire Long and many cleaned up their acts. The ones that did not soon found themselves blacklisted prominently in the local paper and under investigation by civil authorities.
It was in 1986 while Lieutenant Commander John Long was deployed to the Mediterranean with the US 6th fleet that tragedy struck the Long family. Claire who was on her way home from the Navy Community Center, that she and Matthew whom she had picked up from daycare were involved in a tragic accident, which changed John's life.
Lieutenant Frank Orkney stationed at a Destroyer Squadron had driven upon the scene of the accident. The drunk driver had plowed into the side of Claire's car at high-speed killing her and Matthew instantly. The funeral afterward had been packed to overflowing at the base chapel. It was the unforgettable sight of Navy enlisted personnel lining the roadway leading from the chapel and the gathering at the cemetery where both were laid to rest that convinced John that he should continue his career. Other Navy wives took up Claire's cause and if there was any hesitation on the part of businesses to correct their practices; Lieutenant Commander John Long would soon put in an appearance and crossing swords with him as many would learn was even worse than having dealings with the late Claire Long and would lead to serious press exposure and criminal investigations.
Returning to the present, Admiral Long sitting against a Cherry tree watched in amusement as Kanna gave simplified demonstrations of Ryukyuu to surrounding watchers. John remembered the request that was lying on his desk from Kanna requesting permission to open a studio for instruction of Ryukyuu Karate. He had already approved the request and would deliver it officially on Monday. John knew it was important to pass on such skills and that it would benefit not only Kanna to give her a sense of purpose but to ensure that a future generation could harness such skills when needed.
Leni Milchstrase was surrounded six deep with observers taking in the chess game that she was playing. John noted it was the 20th game that she had started since the last hour. Her opponents had challenged her anticipating easy victory but each time she would trounce them and leave them flabbergasted. John wondered how she would do with three dimensional chess; in all likelihood she would be just as devastating.
Leni's ability to see 15 plus moves ahead both from her standpoint and that of her opponent gave her an advantage. The chatter from the gathering rose excitedly as Leni trounced victim number 20 and number 21 took his place. It was all in the pattern of moves. Once she saw the style of play she adjusted and would begin taking out the defensive pieces which from there for her opponent it all went downhill.
Sakura Shinguji considered a master swordsman was too giving a demonstration. For safety purposes practice pieces were being used. The Arataka, sheathed was resting next to the admiral while Sakura and Lachette Altair put on the practice demonstration. Ichiro Oogami was playing referee just in case things got out of control. John had already experienced the power that was within Sakura. Hand to Hand combat with Sakura with or without a sword was low John's list of things to do. Lachette who favored throwing knives as her principle defensive and offensive weapons was just as adapt with a sword.
Turning and looking at the open field in the distance, the Dream Division had divided up and was playing several games of soccer at once. The locals bringing their children to enjoy the blossoms had turned their kids loose to play the Dream Division. Maria Tachibana was nearby with several young children, who were getting ready to face off to a group from the Dream Division. Curious, John stood up and strolled over to where Maria was standing surrounded by the children who all seemed to be dressed alike.
Handing off the Arataka to Commander Fujieda as he passed her where she was in some type of discussion with Staff Sergeant Bloomberg; John approached Maria.
Maria engrossed with giving instructions to the children did not see the admiral approach and was finally asked who that strange man was behind her. John had stood off to her side knowing all too well how far she could reach and that somewhere on her person was the Glock 21 C. He had little desire to get shot or punched.
Maria turned enough to get him in her vision and then smiled, "That is Admiral John Long, my commanding officer." The children's faces lit up and they surrounded John much to Maria's amusement. John taking in the behavior was busy with shaking hands as well as trying to return bows to all of them.
Gathering the children away from the admiral, Maria with a little help from Kasumi Fujii lined the opposing teams up and then had them begin the game. Yuri Sakakibara and Tsubaki Takamura were the referee's trying to keep some semblance of order.
Maria returning to the admiral's side, "The children that are playing with the Dream Division belong to an orphanage that is located near our base. I found it by accident one day when I found a young girl crying and sitting on a sidewalk. She had been on her way back to the orphanage from her school when she had been picked on by some upper classmen. One of them damaged her book bag."
The admiral's interest piqued, he had Maria continue; "I settled her down and helped her pick up the scattered books. The book bag was too damaged to be repaired so on the way to the orphanage I stopped and bought her a new book bag and some other things as well. When we arrived, I found the people who ran the orphanage, they are American Missionaries. The orphanage was established in 1945 shortly after the surrender. American Missionaries who had established it were of the Baptist faith, and over the years there have been several couples who have run the facility."
Admiral Long had seen his share of orphanages over the years, it had become a common practice for United States Naval Vessels when visiting foreign ports of call to assist in community welfare projects, whether it be repairing water purification systems or fixing a clunky generator to outright putting up a new building complete with electrical, water and even heating installed which would sometimes even put Habitat for Humanity program to shame for the speed at which the building was put up; the volunteers from Navy ships the world over had provided aid to hundreds of thousands of men, women and children without ever expecting a word of thanks. The grey paint may symbolize a ship of war but the men and women manning those very same ships had compassion for those in dire straights and they would willingly sacrifice their chance for a little shore liberty to aid those in desperate need.
Catching the errant soccer ball and returning it to the field of play, Admiral Long asked Maria for the address of the orphanage and the names of the missionaries which she gave to him. The admiral departed back to the picnic area where the Rose Division had gathered for a bite to eat. On his way back, he heard the sound of a model plane engine running at full speed from his left.
Turning to look the admiral did not have time to duck. The scale model of a World War II Japanese Zero or Mitsubishi Zeke as it had been officially called, smacked the hapless admiral dead center in his chest; knocking him flat on his back. The Zero tumbled over his head and landed behind him upside down, the wind knocked out of him; Admiral Long sat up dazed, looking at the shocked face of a little boy with Kohran Ri skidding to a stop behind him, "Oh this is bad."
Monday, April 5th, 2010 – Tokyo – 1800 hours –
Staff Sergeant Bloomberg glanced in the rearview mirror of the Suburban at her charge. Admiral John Long sitting behind her was trying his best to find a comfortable position for the ride to the Baptist Orphanage. She had been sitting at a picnic table talking to Commander Kaede Fujieda when the sound of the diminutive radio controlled plane interrupted their conversation.
Teresa had turned in time to witness the World War II airplane model slam into the admiral's chest which knocked him off his feet. Kohran Ri who had been with one of the orphans brought to the outing by Maria Tachibana had let a child try to fly the plane. Teresa with Maria had gingerly picked up the admiral and put him into the Suburban and then hurriedly drove back to base infirmary. Doctor Nicholas Seagram who had been at the outing rode along. After x-ray's it was determined that the Japanese Zero had cracked three of the admiral's ribs. The admiral taken to his quarters surprised everyone as he did not stir until nearly 0900 hours the next morning.
Commander Fujieda in the front seat and Lt. Commander Maria Tachibana in the back seat also were along for the ride. Maria and Kaede both had tried to talk the admiral out of the visit but his stubbornness prevailed. After completing the regular Navy business that he had to do, Admiral Long had called the Baptist Orphanage to schedule the visit.
The orphanage building had originally belonged to the Imperial Japanese Army and had been turned over to the United States Army. Because of the large number of orphaned children in Japan, the Unites States Army had sent out a call for assistance in dealing with such children. The call for assistance was answered by many and among them Baptist Missionaries.
The first missionaries were tasked with rehabilitating a former army building. Still rare at the time, it had been constructed of stone and brick and had been one of the few buildings that had withstood the fire bombings conducted by B-29 bombers over Tokyo. In a war torn nation the missionaries had managed to pull through helped with the generosity of occupying US Army Forces.
The missionaries sorely dependent on funds from Baptist Churches in the United States, would soon learn to mention to passing US Army soldiers of things that were in need. Later at night or sometimes early in the morning a US Army truck would pull up to the entrance and drop off material then leave. The occupants never stayed to be thanked. The missionary couple, a husband and wife team from South Carolina would walk out to find what they had asked for and a lot of extras too.
Over the years, the orphanage flourished; the original missionary husband and wife team finally retired in 1960 and returned home to the United States. Replaced by another couple from Virginia, the missionary husband and wife team carried on the tradition of caring for orphaned children, the original orphans long gone and now carrying on with their lives would donate to the orphanage that had cared for them in times of need.
Over the years the population shrank and grew dependent on good times or bad times. In 1985 after 25 years of caring for orphans the couple from Virginia retired and too headed home back to the United States. Replaced by another couple who lasted until 2005 when they also retired had been replaced by the current missionaries Ruth and Peter Teal from Raleigh, North Carolina.
The orphanage still received funds from Baptist Churches in the United States, but in the high priced economy of Japan the dollar did not go as far as it did. The Japanese government also provided funds but on a limited basis as the government tended to focus their efforts on their prefecture run orphanages. Funds donated by former orphans had dropped off too leaving purse strings tight.
When the black Chevrolet Suburban rolled to a stop in the driveway of the orphanage, Admiral Long took in the grounds, presentable but worn as was the play ground equipment. Parked under an open air garage a tired looking Toyota van, from the looks of it a mid 1980's model its one bright blue paint faded from exposure to the elements and the city traffic of Tokyo.
Gingerly exiting the vehicle, Admiral Long was greeted by the current orphans and the missionaries Ruth and Peter Teal. Not including the missionaries, Admiral Long counted 60. Thirty boys and thirty girls, ranging in age from 5 years of age to 14 years of age, the young boy who Admiral Long learned was flying the model plane that had collided with him was just seven years old. The young boy standing at the front bowed deeply and began to try to apologize for his actions. Admiral Long stepped forward and placed his hand on the child's shoulder to stand him upright looked into his face speaking Japanese, "There is no need to apologize for what you did. It was entirely an accident and could have happened to anyone. I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time to stop the plane."
Ruth Teal stepped forward and introduced herself and her husband Peter. After the introductions the admiral and his party were given a tour of the orphanage. The building showed the effects of use and its war time construction. Admiral Long who had an architectural engineering back ground like his grandfather Herbert Robert Long took in the building from an engineering stand point.
Followed closely behind by Staff Sergeant Bloomberg he had her note areas of concerns. The shear size of the building surprised him. In its original configuration it had been an Imperial Army billet for officers. It had also contained an armory which was now divided into a dormitory for the girls and boys.
Though well maintained by the caregivers they had been at times at the mercy of Japanese contractors to make repairs and some of the repairs were shockingly slipshod. It was the basement area of the building that the admiral found the worst area in need of repairs. Over the years the cast iron piping had finally gave out which resulted in a patch work of different repairs. From copper wraps to rubberized clamps similar to those that would have been used to plug damaged piping on the USS Wisconsin to plastic PVC piping. In short one hell of a mess had been created over the years.
There was no modern air-conditioning, the former armory which originally had no windows, the windows that were there had been installed in 1946 with salvaged window frames now had individual room units mounted in them.
The electrical load on the wiring was not something that Admiral Long wanted to even calculate. The World War II era oil fired boiler was even more of a surprise. It still functioned to a point. Used for heating hot water, it was also heated the building at the same time it made hot water.
Admiral Long unable to bend over had asked Kaede to examine the manufacture plate and read the date of its construction. Kaede squinting at the plate with the help of a flashlight read, "Date of manufacture is listed as 1940 with a serial number of 10, sir."
Admiral Long stepping back and following the piping with his flashlight, "Jeez, its over 70 years old and still fires, after all these years. I hate to see what the tubes and bricking look like," as John turned to Peter to ask when the last time it was examined and repaired the boiler roared unexpectedly to life.
Peter Teal shouted over the noise, "It was last inspected and repaired in 2000, Admiral. We are having problems controlling the temperature output. The internal dampers in the ductwork are barely working now."
Admiral Long was not surprised at hearing that, the counter weights controlling the opening and closing of the dampers were dependant on springs sensitive to changes in temperature. Those springs had since lost those properties over the intervening years. Eyeing the pressure gage, the admiral wondered if the safety control system was even still functional when the boiler finally shut off as the gage nudged into the red. Barely he mused.
Going back upstairs, the admiral's party entered the common room. There the children were doing their homework from school. All sixty shared four rather antiquated personal computers. Two of the monitors appeared on the verge of failure.
Peter explained that the machines had been donated years earlier by a Baptist Church in Tennessee, but with funding issues there was likely little hope that they would get replacements any time soon as there were more pressing matters. Staff Sergeant Bloomberg started a fresh page of notes, she was beginning page 44.
Then there were the children themselves. The clothing was hand-me-downs or donated. The text books which the orphanage had to buy when the current books became too worn to use ate into the budget as well. What would be taken for granted in a normal household family like electronic calculators did not exist here.
Several were using slide rulers for calculations, the markings barely visible. Because of their foreign national status the Lear's could not take part-time jobs so they spent their free time seeking donations. One of them would fly to the United States once a year to solicit there. Resources were spread thin both here in Japan and the United States. The admiral knew he could not solve all ills that were occurring around the world; but he could do something about this.
Excusing himself, Admiral Long stepped outside and walked into the falling darkness alone and opened his cell phone which had a preprogrammed number in its memory.
Dialing the number he waited and after just three rings a Japanese man's voice answered the phone, "Yusuke Takeda, this is Admiral John Long calling how are you doing this evening?" as the admiral paced back and forth in the distance out of earshot, Staff Sergeant Bloomberg wondered just what he was up to now.
Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 – Tokyo – 0700 hours –
As Ruth Teal saw off the children to their respective schools, two trucks stopped at the driveway entrance; their drivers waiting patiently for the children to walk out of the entrance. Ruth stepped back and both trucks drove into the driveway and their occupants exited the vehicles. On the sides of both vehicles were the markings Takeda Construction.
The Nissan Titan that drove in next carried only one occupant, exiting the vehicle Yusuke Takeda eyed the aging building. Approaching Mrs. Ruth Lear, he introduced himself and together followed by the men from the trucks they entered the building.
Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 – Ibetsig, Mongolia – 1100 hours –
Professor Lenny Irvin Walters had been to many historical sites in his lifetime but the ruins of an ancient temple had to be the worse working conditions he had every experienced.
Anything of value had been stripped and carted away untold centuries ago. All that remained was the engravings on the walls. Many of the engravings were so worn as to be undecipherable. The effects of being exposed to the elements had taken their toll.
But with careful excavation what had been protected by the mother earth was proving to be an excellent find. The ruins were larger than originally thought were being remapped. The laborers hired from the local village and used to the harsh weather conditions had continued their work under careful guidance. Professor Walters needed some more equipment, he needed ground mapping radar.
Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 – Tokyo – 1400 hours –
Commander Yuichi Kayama was with Admiral John Long listening to Professor Walters who was on a satellite video phone. Both men watched as the camera was panned around the ruins. In the background, the laborers working with a heavy snow falling, "John the ruins are larger than even earlier estimates.
The University of London is working on a shoe string budget and as such they can not obtain the ground mapping radar. We need it here badly. There is a lot more here than meets the eye and I might add the ruins fit the profile of being on or about the same age as the demonic seals. I think there is something else here. What were thought to be the outer walls of the temple are in fact the inner remnants of the temple itself. This place did not fall down by itself. What we have uncovered suggests that it was attacked and destroyed."
Admiral John Long replied, "Very well Lenny, we will make arraignments for the ground mapping radar. Considering the size of the area that you want to look at we will send four units to you. If you need anything else send the request to Commander Kayama and he will take it from there," as the camera panned back to the Professor; "Thanks John that should be it for now. By the way the Mongolian government representative has already advised that clearances for over flight and landings have been continued. They do ask if anything is found that it be turned over to them. I have given them my word." Admiral Long did not expect anything less, "That is what I prefer Lenny. Share the information perhaps someone there will see something that we might have missed. It is their country and their history. Good luck, Tokyo out."
Saturday, April 10th, 2010 – Tokyo – 1800 hours –
The remainder of the week had been taken up with dealing with various issues. The ground mapping radar units had arrived in Mongolia on Thursday. Professor Walters was not wrong, there was something more to the ruins than had met the eye. Ground radar indicated what appeared to be a passageway leading somewhere under ground. It was in the process of being uncovered.
Admiral Long had ordered the USS Wisconsin to prepare to get underway and deploy with the Rose and Dream Divisions on Monday morning. The Sea Wraiths were still popping up and causing problems. The USS Wisconsin was headed to the Sea of Japan; Commander Kaede Fujieda would be in charge of the Rose and Dream Division during the mission which was expected to take four weeks to complete.
The Japanese Self Defense Forces needed a rest and the Wisconsin would provide that. Doctor Seagram had been rather adamant; Admiral John Long had to stay ashore to mend. Captain Sammy Hollister would work with Commander Fujieda. Captain Frank Orkney would stay ashore with the admiral as would Staff Sergeant Teresa Bloomberg.
Admiral Long was visiting the Baptist Orphanage to see how things were progressing and he was impressed. Takeda had received copies of Admiral Long's inspection and went from there sending in his own specialists. Part of the foundation was indeed about ready to let go and would have to be repaired. Since that would require excavation it would allow the removal of the massive boiler at the same time. A temporary water heater had already been installed, fired by natural gas. The boiler now shut down was nothing more than scrap metal that had to be removed.
The aging electrical system was being removed and a 21st century system was being installed. It would have plenty of capacity for the needs of the orphanage for years to come. The children themselves had not been forgotten. From clothing to school supplies had been donated courtesy of a grant provided by the philanthropy arm of the Flower Investment Group in San Diego, California.
The Tokyo office of the Flower Investment Group had sent a representative to the orphanage to explain the grant and what it covered. Both Ruth and Peter Lear relieved had prayed for a miracle and they got one.
The matter of the harassment from upper-class students had been personally handled by Lt. Commanders Maria Tachibana and Kanna Kirishima. They had been waiting on the route from the schools. Kanna had left a crater in a wall after giving a demonstration, on Wednesday. After that there had been no further incidents and the children could concentrate on other matters.
Sitting in the common room with Yusuke Takeda, Admiral John Long observed the children as they went about their homework. Calculators had replaced the worn slide rulers, the Hewlett-Packard calculators the most advanced made had been the replacements. Those who had been struggling in math classes now had been put on equal footing.
The IT professionals at the Task Group Rose Base had been by to pay a visit. The aging computers were gone replaced by a state of the art system. It was still a work in progress, but the children all sixty of them had their own individual laptops which were top of the line Apples.
After the renovations were complete, the children would be able to access the internet from anywhere within the building and the grounds. The orphanage computers would be protected by a military grade firewall system, the individual laptops able to connect wirelessly or by conventional cable.
Outside the aging blue Toyota van was gone, in its place sat a gleaming brand new Isuzu bus and beside it was parked a blue Nissan Armada SUV. Both clearly marked as belonging to the Baptist Orphanage.
Takeda turned to the admiral, "John, we will have work crews here six days a week till the job is completed. It will be completed by mid-May, which I hope is acceptable."
Admiral Long smiled, "Perfectly acceptable Yusuke. I am glad that you were available to perform the needed work," as Yusuke grunted, "When I observed what was needed myself, I decided to oversee the project personally. The children like any others need a place to live in safety and comfort. These are our future generation; they will remember what has been done for them."
Bidding farewell to each other and saying their goodbyes to Mr. and Mrs. Lear both men departed. Admiral Long gingerly climbed into the Suburban and left the orphanage. Reflecting back, to a bible passage read by Peter Lear from the Book of Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity," musing over that John had to agree but recalling The Book of Proverbs 27:10 'Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you – better an neighbor nearby than a brother far away."
The Baptist run orphanage had found a friend much closer to home, their fellow Baptists far away in the United States unable to help. Adversity when it strikes can be cruel and unmerciful, but a friend can provide the love and support when needed. Task Group Rose had proven that.
Monday, April 12th, 2010 – Tokyo – 0800 hours –
Commander Kaede Fujieda felt uncomfortable as she stood on the wing of the Flag Bridge looking out on the pier. The Rose Combat Division would launch one hour after the Wisconsin sailed to rejoin the ship. The Dream Division already embarked had manned the rails along side the crew of the Wisconsin in their colorful kimonos.
Below on the pier stood Admiral John Long looking up at her, the admiral had already stated that he had full confidence of her abilities as did Captain Hollister who was standing on the bridge wing below her. Admiral Long's injuries prohibited him from sailing as Doctor Seagram who had put the orders in writing was still standing on the quarterdeck ensuring that the admiral would not try to sneak aboard. At 0805 hours the USS Wisconsin was underway.
The blue electric car which Staff Sergeant Bloomberg was driving was more suitable for getting around the base than the Suburban which was parked at the headquarters building. The admiral's next stop was the hanger where the Rose Combat Division was making final preparations for departure.
The surprise of the week for the admiral had been the delivery of the replacement Koubu and Eisenkleid. Both had been delivered a week early and under budget. Both Leni and Iris put their respective machines through their paces.
Improvements to the handling and control systems as well as the fully integrated jet propulsion system were better than anyone had anticipated. The skin of the machines no longer were made of heavy grade steel, instead titanium had been utilized. It made the rest of the Rose Combat Division green with envy. The other replacements would be sitting in the hanger when they returned from their current mission.
Admiral Long eased himself out of the vehicle and walked to Lt. Commander Oogami who rendered a salute, "Ichiro take good care of them out there. Bring them all home safe please." Ichiro replied, "I will do my best Admiral, please try to get well as fast as you can. We will miss your presence."
Stepping back, Admiral Long saluted and walked back to the car and sat back in it. Directing Staff Sergeant Bloomberg to head to the headquarters building, John took one last look as ten brightly painted and colorful machines stood ready to fly from the tarmac.
To be Continued...
