Sakura Wars: The 21st Century
Circle of Faith
By Steve Edward
Chapter 6
Sunday, May 2nd, 2010 – Tokyo – 1500 hours –
The private line of Admiral John Long rang and was briefly answered by Staff Sergeant Bloomberg who handed the phone to Admiral John Long. The caller was Ledford Morgan in Los Angles, California, "John, I got the e-mail specifications and photos of the weapon that you have. According to my contacts at Weatherby, the Krieger barrel was a custom job and shipped after the usual testing to a dealer in Johannesburg, South Africa over three years ago. When it left their manufacturing facility in England it was a 32 inch solid one piece barrel. The modifications for the breakdown were not done at their facility."
Leaning back in his chair Admiral Long pondered the Africa connection, "Ledford what about the dealer there in Johannesburg, South Africa. What do their records indicate transpired with the barrel?" as the admiral jotted some notes down, "John it gets kind of bizarre at this point. The dealer who had a store front operation all very legal and what not turned up dead in February of this year inside what was left of the business. It was reportedly a gun powder handling accident and it was a whooper of a boo-boo."
Jotting down that piece of information, John replied "Just what kind of boo-boo was it Ledford? Are you thinking it was not an accident?" as the sound of papers being shuffled filtered over the phone, "That is what a friend of mine is saying John. The explosion pretty much leveled the entire building and collapsed it into the subbasement. It took them four days to dig him out. The autopsy was inconclusive as well."
Looking up at Staff Sergeant Bloomberg, "Ledford what about the transaction records? Were any located?" Ledford reviewing the incident report, "All computerized no paper. Though my friend has stated that they recovered all the computers from the building that they could find, they have not examined them. They are in law enforcement custody. He does not know the condition of the hard drives."
Now with a grin Admiral Long replied, "Ledford, can you give my telephone number to your friend and have him call me. I will gladly accept the charges. I really need to talk with him now."
Ledford agreed to call his Africa contact and make the request for Admiral Long. Standing up and walking to the window and watching the Rose Combat Division as they put their new equipment through the paces, John absorbed the information that he had just received. The only thing going for them was the unusual barrel configuration a left hand twist instead of the more common right hand. The caliber was another; the massive .460 was a big game round.
The power of the round evident from the dent in Sakura's old Koubu right support leg as it impacted and rocked the Koubu. Mingmei had been crouching at about where the trajectory of the bullet would have taken it had Sakura not placed herself in the line of fire. It would have hit Rear Admiral Ying squarely in her face.
Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 – Tokyo – 0900 hours –
The Dream Division had been busy with having their incantations and chants recorded. A well equipped but mobile recording studio had been brought to the Task Group Rose Base on early Monday morning. Transcribing the incantations and chants was an entirely different matter, as Rear Admiral Ying soon found out.
By Monday evening even with the help of linguists from the University of Tokyo, the transcribing operation had only completed less than 20 percent of the written record and it had become painfully obvious that for some of the incantations that there was no way to put to proper words some of the chants themselves.
Admiral Long had been in communication with the Johannesburg Police Department and with some help from the FBI field agent in Johannesburg he had arraigned for the computers to be shipped to Tokyo for examination. A United States Air Force C-141 Starlifter was enroute to Tokyo and would be arriving later Tuesday evening with the damaged computers.
The new Koubus and Eisenkleids had come on line as scheduled and were fully operational. The members of the Rose Combat Division who had been issued side arms previously had been put through a rigorous training regime by Lt. Commander Maria Tachibana.
Professor Walters stood to give his report, "Admiral, during the discovery phase of the demonic seals; we of course concluded that the language utilized was an early Japanese language called Ainu. Finding someone who is familiar with the language did prove difficult but we have located a native speaker. She is a Shinto Priestess."
Admiral Long taking notes looked up, "Where is she at Lenny?" The Professor walked to the electronic wall map and tapped it then moved his finger to the northern end of Japan, "Admiral, she is living on Rebunto Island near the village of Rebun. Because of her age she prefers not to travel. I would like to travel there to speak with her. Perhaps she can provide a means of transcribing some of the more difficult incantations."
Tapping his notepad Admiral Long replied, "Ok Lenny you have clearance for the trip, but take Commander Kayama with you and a full security team. Commander Kayama coordinate transportation to the island with the Japanese Defense Force, I want them to assist with the security. As it is we are stretching ourselves thin, is that understood?"
Commander Kayama acknowledged the orders and as he stood to leave Rear Admiral Ying interrupted; "Admiral Long, I would like to accompany the Commander and the Professor on the journey. I would like to listen first hand to a native Ainu speaker."
Admiral Long acknowledged her request and they departed the briefing to begin preparations.
Admiral Long looking about the briefing room, "Ok if there is not anything else everyone is dismissed, Staff Sergeant Bloomberg lets get ready to go to the US Embassy. I need to have a chat with the ambassador that can not be done over the phone."
Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 – Rebunto Island – 1000 hours –
Rear Admiral Ying and her party arrived on Rebunto Island shortly before 0900 hours by helicopter. The islands roads necessitated the use of small four wheel drive Suzuki's to get to the shrine which was located on the northern end of the island.
The Priestess, Akiko Kato was 105 years old. Attired in a simple but elegant kimono the priestess welcomed her visitors from her wheel chair which was being pushed by two young women.
After entering the reception area of the shrine and giving an offering, Rear Admiral Ying explained why they had come. Professor Walters requested permission to record the interview and the elderly priestess granted the request.
For Priestess Kato it brought back memories of a distant past when she was but 20 years old. As a mystic she had been much sought after for her skills and her ability to train other young women to become a mystic like herself.
It was the surprising revelation that was made by Priestess Kato that she had been heavily involved with the selection and training of the Imperial Flower Dream Division. Rear Admiral Ying produced a rooster of the Dream Division and Priestess Kato smiled as she went down the list, recalling each of the young women's abilities. When asked by Mingmei as to how she helped them visualize the chants and incantations; Priestess Kato gave a nod to one of her young assistants, "Please retrieve the scrolls and bring them to me."
The young woman returned with a rose wood chest, its wood reflecting the light almost glowing. Setting the chest down, the young woman carefully set the top aside and removed a scroll from its storage slot and reverently handed it to the priestess.
Priestess Kato spoke, "Mingmei these scrolls are the only surviving writings of the Ainu language. I have completed my instruction to my assistants who are both fluent in what you seek. My remaining time here is short which is why these two young women are here now. I entrust the scrolls and the young women to the care of Admiral John Long. You and John will find benefits from my gift, please use them to the utmost. May the gods be with you all."
As if on cue, three monks silently appeared and approached the priestess. One on either side of the wheel chair and the third monk to push, the priestess departed the reception building without further word.
The two young women kneeling as the priestess left then stood and bowed toward Rear Admiral Ying and speaking as one, "We will return to Tokyo with you. It is as she wishes."
Professor Walters who was flummoxed, "Admiral Ying should we not ask her to at least give us a sample of her language?" as the priestess with the three monks disappeared from view, Rear Admiral Ying replied, "No Lenny we shall not, we have two very young priestesses who are versed in what we seek and who's care had been entrusted to us as well as the scrolls. Priestess Kato has somehow seen this current event that has now passed. She has likely seen future events as well. It is her final wish that I will grant."
Commander Kayama stood and watched as the scroll was placed back within the chest. Wanting to help carry the chest, he knelt to pick it up off the floor. He could not even budge it. Rear Admiral Ying taking note of the attempt asked both of the priestesses instead to carry which they did.
Both the young women being identical twins, one named Maya and the other Ai spoke as one, "Only the chosen can only carry the scrolls. Any others will fail." Professor Walters's video taped the procession as they left the shrine, the ubiquitous sight of two mystics, their hands placed on top of the chest as it seemed to float between them to exit would leave a lasting impression on all who were there.
Thursday, May 6th, 2010 – Tokyo – 0700 hours –
Captain Frank Orkney stood on the landing deck of Task Group Rose Base awaiting the arrival of Rear Admiral Mingmei Li Ying and her traveling party. It was the phone call from Mingmei advising that Priestess Kato had passed away from natural causes shortly after their meeting that had even surprised Admiral Long.
Mingmei had further stated that two priestesses who had been her apprentices were now in her custody and that she had followed the last wishes of the elderly priestess that her apprentices were to be put in the care of Admiral John Long.
Captain Orkney mulled the addition of the mystic priestesses, their apparent powers enormous yet not fully understood. He turned his attention back to the present when the Japanese Defense Force Seahawk flared for a landing. Commander Kayama disembarked then assisted the priestesses. It was the chest that caught the attention of the captain. Both young priestesses placed their hands on top of the rose wood chest and it seemed to lift and then hover between the two women. Approaching the captain both greeted him by name and bowed, stating that they were ready to serve Master Long and to please take them to him.
Thursday, May 6th, 2010 – Tokyo – 1500 hours –
Admiral Long had been called by many titles in his Navy career, but being called master had not been one of them. The priestesses when escorted to his office by Captain Orkney had bowed deeply and then addressing him as master calmly assumed sitting positions on either side of his desk. The rose wood chest containing the scrolls had been set to rest at the front of his desk.
John had tried to explain to both that he was not their direct master, but it did little even stir them from their resting positions. When it came time for the morning briefing, Admiral Long discovered that both would assume a position on either side of him when he stood to walk to where ever he was going and where ever he stopped, the young women would assume the resting positions again on either side of him. It had made for an uneasy day for the admiral.
Commander Kaede Fujieda and Rear Admiral Mingmei Ying had done their best to explain to both that Admiral Long was not their direct master, but instead someone that they would report to. Kasumi Fujii had finally reasoned with both young priestesses that their fellow mystics also viewed "Master" Long as their leader but one who would give then direct orders when needed through his apprentices.
When they asked who was to protect their master from harm, Kasumi explained that the master's guardian was always close-by and if assistance was needed she would summon the apprentices of the master. Satisfied at the answers, the priestesses were escorted by Kasumi to their living quarters to be given further instructions.
Still in his office at the front of his desk, the rose wood chest sat. Admiral Long had been forewarned of its protective abilities by Commander Kayama who had stated that the priestesses were apparently the only ones who could even move it. Professor Walters who had been curious about the scrolls had tried to remove the top and found it would not even budge, as Admiral Long watched in amusement as Professor Walters turned red from exertion from his efforts.
During the afternoon round of meetings in his office, the chest had become a nuance as department heads had to maneuver their way around it. Admiral Long finally fed up with it being in the way had forgotten Commander Kayama's warning. Walking around the desk, Admiral Long effortlessly picked it up and carried it to a nearby table to get it out of his way, which was witnessed by both Staff Sergeant Bloomberg and Professor Walters standing in the outer office.
John returning to his desk, turned to see Professor Walters trying yet again to remove the lid and then try to pick it up as well. Lenny having been bested, "John, they must have hexed me. I can not even budge it! What gives?" Shrugging his shoulders, "Lenny for what it is worth, leave it alone for the time being. We are dealing with an unknown power and to be blunt stop messing with that thing before you get hurt. I'll have the priestesses help you later. Let them get settled first."
Lieutenant Commander Sally Sears, the JAG officer for Task Group Rose sat before the admiral reviewing the legal issues surrounding Priestesses Maya Ikura and Ai Ikura. Both identical twins, age of 16 were as far as anyone was concerned the legal responsibility of Task Group Rose. Their respective backgrounds were no mystery. Both were orphans having been taken in by the late Shinto Priestess Akiko Kato when both were just six months of age.
Shinto Priestess Akiko Kato's last will and testament had directly named Admiral John Long as their legal guardian, the date listed on the Will had been the most troubling for Commander Sears. The date of March 3rd, 2007, that even dumbfounded the admiral. John had never had met the late priestesses nor had any conversations with her.
Had her ability as a seer, been that strong to be able to foretell future events that she would put it to words in her Will? Commander Sears had verified that the Will on file in Tokyo matched the one that had been sent by the Japanese attorney from Rebunto Island.
While both were discussing the legal implications, Admiral Long who been writing some notes felt suddenly that neither he nor the Commander were alone any longer and looked up in astonishment.
Priestesses Maya Ikura and Ai Ikura, were standing on either side of Commander Sears, the door to the outer office had not at any time opened. Pressing the intercom button and calling Staff Sergeant Bloomberg, "Teresa did you by chance let Maya and Ai into my office?" as Commander Sears herself bewildered looked to the left and right taking in the two priestesses, "Admiral, no one has passed my desk in the past 30 minutes except for Commander Sears. Is there a problem sir?"
Admiral Long replied, "Well not necessarily, but call Kasumi Fujii to find out if she is missing two priestesses. If so advise her to report to my office and then why don't you open the door to look in here. Maya and Ai are both in here with me now."
Staff Sergeant Bloomberg doing as ordered had called Kasumi who when asked sounded relieved because she had witnessed both young women vanish before her eyes at the same time. Teresa told Kasumi to come to the admiral's office immediately and then she opened the door and looked into the office.
Admiral Long directed Staff Sergeant Bloomberg to obtain three more chairs and to leave the door open for Kasumi who he could see jogging down the hallway headed to his office. Looking up at the two priestesses who appeared indifferent to the activity around them, Admiral Long directed that they both sit in the proffered chairs which they did.
With Kasumi Fujii arriving at his office, Admiral Long began to clarify what he expected from them conjointly. Not showing anger, but soothingly speaking he put into plain words that it was incorrect to emerge devoid of being announced. Maya who spoke first, "Was our transition ill-timed Master?" as Commander Sears blenched at those words, Admiral Long answered back; "Yes Maya. Your method of travel can be unnerving to personages unaccustomed to such comings and goings."
Kasumi interposed, "Maya, Ai. The Master had not envisioned your presence. Why did you appear when he did not ask?" To which Ai answered, "I and Maya inferred that the master required our attendance. If it was an oversight, we ask for forgiveness."
Admiral Long weighed his next statement, "As your principal, unless unequivocally by either an apprentice or by myself you are not to make use of the power that you displayed so recently to me and you are to follow the directions given unto you both by Kasumi Fujii or others as they are inferred. Is that understood?" Both priestesses stood and bowed, acknowledging Admiral Long's request.
Directing Kasumi to give them further instruction in regards to how he should be properly addressed, Admiral Long dismissed all three; and returned his attention back to Commander Sears.
Admiral Long turned to the Commander, "Sally, what ever you do please do not mention what you witnessed to anyone outside of Task Group Rose. I had assumed that only Iris Chateaubriand was capable of teleporting, now I can see that I was wrong on that belief." The commander regaining her composure replied, "Admiral with all due respect I doubt anyone would even accept the story as being true." Shaking his head in agreement, "Lets hope so Commander, it would be hard to explain to the Pentagon the need for establishing a Department of Paranormal Operations."
Friday, May 7th, 2010 – Tokyo – 1000 hours –
Interpol had come through with the identification of the sniper. Commander Kayama reported that the individual's whereabouts had been unknown for the past three years. How he had been able to enter Japan was open to theory but it was believed the sniper had likely been smuggled in by ship. To whom he had worked for was still unknown, even the apartment that the man had lived having been searched revealed little about him or who he had worked for. So far no one had claimed the body; which Commander Kayama doubted would be claimed.
The matter of the priestesses and the scrolls had topped everyone's interest. After being directed by Admiral Long to assist Professor Walters in his research, Maya and Ai were with him and several of the Dream Division to finish the interpretation of the chants and incantations. Maya and Ai had so far not put in another unannounced appearance, since being addressed by their master on the teleportation issue.
The computer hard drives were being examined forensically by experts to glean as much information as possible; but the data on the hard drives had been damaged and it would take time to unravel.
Friday, May 7th, 2010 – Tokyo – 1800 hours –
Michael had used many names in the past. When he had arrived in Japan, he had used Seth McKay and was a businessman from New York. He had been summoned to Japan to replace Franco who had met an ill-timed death.
Michael had reported that Priestess Kato's death after arriving on Rebunto Island only to find that Task Group Rose had already been to visit the now late priestess. The two apprentice priestesses; their training apparently complete had been placed in the care of the American Navy Admiral.
Michael had found that the security level for the support base of the Rose Combat Division was impressive. It would be difficult to infiltrate and would present too much risk. The Elders had admitted that their rush to judgment in deciding that the American Admiral should die had been had been fraught with many errors.
Observing the activities of the base had been difficult, as Michael soon learned. The nearby residents noting his presence at a coffee shop had openly approached him asking him of his business. He had found that to be a surprise and had deflected such questions by stating that he had been looking for a loft apartment in the area. The shop keeper had given him a real estate booklet to review.
Michael thanking the shopkeeper, once he was out of sight deposited the pamphlet into a trash receptacle and left the immediate area. Michael decided he would have to seek another venue for making observations.
Sunday, May 9th, 2010 – Tokyo – 0900 hours –
Professor Lenny Irvin Walters was in his office looking at the completed translations. The scrolls themselves not only contained the history of the Ainu language; but of the history of how and why the mystics had come into being. There had been references to a "Council" and then the word "Elders". The scrolls had told of an ancient battle played out nearly 9,000 years earlier which resulted in a battle between the "Council" and "Elders" with the mystics. The scrolls then referenced a later battle that took place less than 90 years earlier and it called that battle the Kouma War. It was those battles that the Imperial Flower Combat Division had participated in.
Who comprised the "Council" and the "Elders" was open to conjecture. The Council members had powers that could open demonic seals at their whim. Perhaps they had been responsible for what had occurred in March of 2007, if so reflected Professor Walters then these men and women who were members of the so called "Council" had committed acts of terrorism.
A bothersome issue was the Sea Wraiths. Why unleash the creatures born of the sea and not use the Kouma? It's true that unleashing such creatures on the seas could cause a disruption in small numbers, but over a large area their efforts would be miniscule. But if concentrated into one area the Sea Wraiths could become effective.
Professor Walters called Commander Kayama who came to his office to review his findings. Yuichi's memories of the encounters that had taken place in the 1920's were disturbing as they matched events chronicled in the scrolls. Commander Kayama notified Captain Frank Orkney of the intriguing puzzle that had been unraveled. Perhaps there were entities responsible that could be stopped before the terror grew larger.
To be Continued...
