Hachi's Last Stand

Chapter Seven

"Sonja-Chan, Where are you, Sonja-Chan?" Emperor Kanbei marched worriedly through the Yellow Comet Headquarters. He had feared the worst had happened again. His fears were dispelled when an irate Asian girl with a long black ponytail appeared at the end of the corridor, at the top of a flight of stairs.

"Father, you know how much I dislike that name. You have to stop worrying about me. I am capable of looking after myself now. You need to focus on more important matters." Sonja chided her father as she walked down the stairs to meet him. On the final step, she caught her foot and fell forward onto the floor. Kanbei immediately rushed forward and helped her to her feet.

"Dearest Sonja-Chan. You are the most important matter of my life. I will never let you come to harm." He remarked warmly. He glanced down at her wrist; there was a thin line of blood dripping down her uniform. "What is this? Blood?" his eyes went wide with shock. "Prepare the Infirmary! Ready the medics! My daughter is critically hurt!"

Dozens of Yellow comet personnel rushed out from their respective rooms to lend a hand with the crisis. When they saw Sonja standing of her own will, perfectly fine, they tutted and sighed and returned to their work. Sonja took a petite white handkerchief from her chest pocket and tied it around her wrist. The blood quickly dried up and stopped.

"Father, you must stop over-reacting at every little thing. The troops will lose their respect for you if you continue for much longer." Sonja rebuked the Emperor sternly. Kanbei looked at her guiltily. In his heart, he knew what she said was true. But he loved her too much to admit it.

"Sonja-Chan…" he began.

"Sirs! Black Hole are launching an offensive in a port-city. They will have captured in a week. We have to move fast!" A Yellow Comet soldier approached them with a communiqué in his hand. He was panting and sweating heavily. "What are your orders, Emperor?" Kanbei moved to read the brief, but Sonja snatched off him before he could do so. She read it over swiftly.

"I shall commandeer this mission," She announced stubbornly, much to the surprise of Kanbei and the Soldier. "I want Recon and Infantry units fuelled and ready to go right away,"

"Sir," after a moment of thought, the soldier replied and saluted. He dashed off down the corridor to relay the orders. Kanbei watched him go, and then he turned to Sonja.

"Sonja-Chan, I cannot allow…"

"Father!" Sonja retorted irritated. Did he ever listen? "I will prove to you that I am worthy of this army." She stared at hi with fire in her eyes. Kanbei was silent for some time after this. He had to turn away as tears began to roll down his cheeks.

"I will let go, my Daughter, but first, take this." Kanbei answered slowly and purposefully. He removed his sword and sheath from his belt and ceremonially passed it to Sonja. Sonja seemed more than a little confused. "I promised myself that I would hand this to my future heir. I also promised your late mother that I would pass this sword on to you. Today, you are ready, Sonja-ch- Sonja,"

"Father…" For once in her life, Sonja was lost for words. Handling it gently, she attached it to her belt. It was quite loose; her father was a big man. She rested her hand on the hilt of the sword, feeling the power resting in the blade.

"Now, you must lead your troops. Lead them into victory." Kanbei returned to business. Sonja nodded then gave a formal salute. She hurried down the corridor to where the troops would be waiting for her, the sword slapping against her thigh.

"Goodbye, Sonja-Chan," Kanbei whispered as she disappeared from sight.