Sakura Wars: The 21st Century
Circle of Faith
By Steve Edward
Chapter 9
Friday, May 21st, 2010 – Tokyo – 1800 hours
At the wheel of the Land Cruiser, Admiral John Long with Maria Tachibana and Kanna Kirishima was headed to the Baptist Orphanage. His week had been taken up with the aftermath of Island Temple incident. He had not been surprised when there had been no trace found of the temple itself on the ocean floor; yet there was photographic evidence it had existed.
Rear Admiral Mingmei Li Ying was in Beijing, having hand delivered her findings and to explain her own involvement in the incident to her own government. Cynthia Long was not amused at finding out she also had joint custody of Maya and Ai Ikura. Cynthia was still trying to break both of them from calling John "Master."
Approaching the street where the orphanage was located on, Kanna yelled out to stop which even with anti-lock brakes the Land Cruiser squalled to a stop. On the street corner were four of the children from the orphanage and they had been cornered by some high schoolers.
Both Maria and Kanna exited the vehicle and walked up behind the street bullies who had forgotten a valuable lesson. Maria tapped one on the shoulder causing him to turn around, "What do you think you are doing?" Kanna did the same to another the third took off. Admiral Long put the Land Cruiser in gear and peeled around the corner onto the sidewalk cutting the runner off.
Existing the vehicle, John encountered the rather tall for his size high school student who had jumped across the hood and slid across to land directly in front of John. He was grinning at John and cracking his knuckles. Great he mused; I get the biggest of the bunch. Dodging the wild swing, John calmly stepped to the side then launched the bully who landed head first into a trash receptacle.
Maria walking with one of the bullies in an arm lock around the corner took in the sight of Admiral Long admonishing the student for such brash behavior just about the time a Tokyo Police Patrol drove by. The officers noting that the student was still inside the trash can stopped.
After briefly explaining what had happened the officers took the bullies into custody and called a transport van. Maria gathered the children and put them into the Land Cruiser. With a wave of thanks to the officers, John backed off the sidewalk and drove off.
Yusuke Takeda sitting with the Teal's having a cup of tea saw Admiral Long drive up. Ruth seeing the children exit the Land Cruiser followed by Kana and Maria hurried to meet them, "Maria was there a problem?" Maria shaking her head no replied, "Nothing to worry about."
John took in the grounds and the building itself and he greeted Yusuke with a hand shake, "Very impressive Mr. Takeda. You have outdone yourself." Yusuke bowed and replied, "It was an honor John. You should see what we have done on the inside."
As both men entered the building, John paused briefly at the study room. Several of the children were there doing their homework. Continuing onward, they headed to the dormitory area.
Gone were the window air conditioners and the old windows. In their place, triple paned and insulated widows and a fully controllable climate control system. Yusuke ran a running commentary on improvements that could not be seen. Electrical system replacement, replacement of the entire roof structure; insulation of the walls and attic areas and the support systems in the basement, the children never having to guess if there would be hot or cold water coming from a faucet.
Ruth Teal was in the kitchen, where John came to next. A chef's dream kitchen and one that could easily feed quadruple the number of children present. Ruth removing bread pans turned to Kanna who was grinning, "Ok Kanna, please be careful the loaves are still very hot."
Helping to carry the still steaming bread to the eating area, John took in the children gathered around the table with Peter Teal at the head. After the prayer, the food was passed around for all to enjoy.
Afterward Maria, Kanna and John giving their thanks for the meal and being serenaded by the children bid farewell. Starting the Land Cruiser and ready to drive off, John looked one last time at the smiling faces then turned to Maria, "It is a new start for them. Giving hope to one that has none will have that hope returned. We can give thanks for that."
Slipping the vehicle in gear, John exited the orphanage his own hopes renewed.
End.
