(AAN: for all those who really like this story I will be doing another chapter since I can't fit all I need into this one with out making it super long. At any rate you will all have one more to wait for then I'm totally done. I may later make a sequel but that will be after I finish TTL and probably WMHR.)
Epilogue: Part I
After several weeks Genki along with the other men had rebuilt the small village to what it once was. Genki had added some variation to the buildings making them look different then ones normally seen. He did so hoping to help Holly realized her new family and responsibilities. The women Mu had raped came to the village after hearing about it. Wishing to settle down in the same paces as their heroes. They were welcomed along with their families. Though none of the children were born yet they all knew they needed each other. They'd become close friends over the time Mu had them. Holly sat alone in the meadow watching what was going on. She suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder looking up to see Aaka. Smiling at the older woman she patted the ground wishing her to sit.
"Thinking of your new life?"
"Yes. And about my new family." She heard a chuckle.
"I figured as much. You'll be due soon. Do you think Genki can handle things?"
"Of course. He knows so much. After all he even operated on me."
"His training came from the military and out of necessity. I doubt he's delivered a baby before."
"Maybe so but he'll be fine."
"Well at any rate if you have time later Armaoq and I would like to speak with you both." Holly blinked looking at Aaka.
"My I inquire as to what about?"
"For now all you need to know is it's about where we are going to be in the future."
"Alright I'll tell him." As Aaka left she wondered about what they would speak of.
Later that night Genki sat in the living room of their new house with Aaka and Armaoq. Holly walked in with a tray, placing it on the coffee table Genki had made she poured them all some tea. Genki had all he could do from not offending his fiancée. He disliked the honey she'd put in the tea but forced himself to drink it anyway.
"So what was it you wished to speak with us about?" he sat his cup down and put his arms around his soon to be wife as an excuse to ignore the tea.
"Well Aaka and I must leave for awhile." He looked at his wife. "We have things to attend to back home."
"However" Aaka cut Genki off, "we have talked and we would like to return here to stay with you. Both of us feel a bond with you, one we are not willing to break."
"Aaka you and Armaoq act as parents to us both. I noticed it awhile back."
"Sorry if that offended you. We have a soft spot for certain people." Holly and Genki looked at each other.
"Aaka we'd love you to come back. I think Genki and I both liked the fact that you thought of us so fondly. And I will need your help in the future I'm sure. I have a lot to learn yet." They both chuckled.
"We'd love to be of help. But first we must return home."
"Are you bringing anyone back with you?" Genki inquired gently.
"Yes, our daughter Silver and her husband Bane."
"I doubt Sage Ears would accompany us. He's a bit of a loner. And doesn't like either of his parents." Armaoq sounds slightly annoyed.
"I can understand that don't worry. If he comes he's more then welcome as is your daughter and her husband."
"Thank you Genki, Holly we greatly appreciate it."
"We will leave tomorrow morning. Do not expect us back for at least a month if not two."
"Alright we'll keep an eye out." Holly hugged them both sad to see them go. Genki held back on hugging Armaoq instead shaking hands with him, but he did hug Aaka. As the two departed Holly stood next to him.
"Guys can't hug?" he cleared his throat.
"It's not something we normally do. We'll put it that way."
"Too much pride" she teased
"Not that just…it feels wrong…"
"Or a dirty mind." She heard him sigh. Taking him over to the couch she sat down with him cuddling. "What's wrong?"
"Its just soon I'm sure more from my world will come through the portal. I think we should close it before that happens."
"Why do you think the worlds can't get along?"
"Its not that they can't get along its just…I don't want this world to be corrupted by mine." She left it at that cuddling with him and thinking on what he meant.
Several days passed since Armaoq and Aaka had taken off in search of their family. Genki noted that Holly seemed restless but figured it was because of their child. He knew she had little more then a month left before her baby would be ready to be born. As he was working on building a cradle for their unborn daughter. Holly came in looking over what he was doing she smiled "Genki there's a gentleman here to see you. From the looks of it he's from your world. He said he was an ambassador whatever that is." Genki looked over at her.
"Alright take me to him." He dusted himself off before following her back to the house. The man sat on the porch with a glass of lemonade, he figured Holly had made him comfortable before fetching him. The man stood when he saw Genki. He was well dressed but a small man only about 5' 3" and around 160 lbs.
"Genki Sakura? Neail Ladum, US ambassador."
"Nice to meet you Ambassador Ladum." They shook hands Holly brought Genki some lemonade knowing he would be tired from his work. "I apologize for my appearance but I was in the middle of some wood crafting."
"No apologies necessary Lieutenant Sakura. I know I came unannounced."
"Genki if you would."
"Very well."
"So what brings you here?" the ambassador sipped his lemonade glancing at Holly a moment with a smile. "If you are worried about her don't be. I doubt there is much security in our talk you came for and she would not tell anyone if there was." Genki smiled to his soon to be wife with a wink. She smiled and sat down near by with her own drink.
"Very well I came because the President sent me. He wishes to form an alliance of sorts with this world." Holly blinked knowing little of what was being said. *an alliance with our world? No wars are happening are they? *
"What is this alliance you speak of. Surely the president has no intention of drafting help from here for any wars to come."
"No no, he would never do such a thing."
"Forgive me ambassador but the president is rash in his actions at times."
"Yes he is indeed at times. But this has little to do with that."
"Then what is the goal of this?"
"The president merely wishes an alliance so both our worlds may trade goods and learn from each other."
"and what goods do you speak of? You know that the economies are very different."
"Yes we are aware of this. However there are many skilled crafts men here in many fields…"
"Cut the bull. I know the president better then that. I do not enjoy political games. You're after something else. I know very well crafts men are not the issue here. Our technology alone out does any craftsman when it comes to goods." The ambassador sighed; she could tell Genki was bothered by this whole thing but said nothing.
"As usual your reputation for disliking the government proceeds you."
"I do not just dislike the government, I hate it. The higher archery is never doing what it was created for. Checks and balances are only any good if the groups will check and balance each other."
"I see you are still an extremist. Then this conversation is pointless."
"It's all you got ambassador for I and Holly, my wife are the ambassadors of this world. You want something then go through us."
"You are of our world…"
"Who better to judge the good in an agreement then one who knows of what is spoken. If you were hoping for an easy way out there is none." Holly listened intently not sure she liked what was going on.
"You are still too fiery for your own good. Starting riots and causing trouble."
"Only when the government gets out of hand. And I never cause a riot. Only a peaceful demonstration. We have the right to petition the government. Or did they take that away too?" Holly saw the ambassador stiffen.
"Genki what is he talking about. Why would you start riots or petitions?"
"Your husband is anti-government, a rouge extremist that causes quite a ruckus. Things have been peaceful with out him around."
"You mean no one has had the guts to stop the government from encroaching on individual rights with me gone." He looked at Holly, "its complicated but to put it simple I disagree with what the government is trying to do and petition them. It is not my fault if some of the petitioners in other areas cause riots for I was not there and I did not lead them to that. I am not one for violence in such things if it can be helped."
"You have been called a traitor before you know."
"I am aware but I have never done anything traitorous. Not even after the whole beast soldier thing." He shook his head, "Enough of this what do they want? Either tell me or leave."
"As always you are very blunt. Very well. The president has realized the dangers in our world. Though we have tried to fix the Ozone problem among other things are getting out of hand. A recent oil spill in the pacific has caused even more problems. We need fresh supplies."
"Your saying our world has become too corrupt to support crops and healthy animals? That is hard to believe. The ozone is a problem yes but you cannot tell me in 8 months time pollution has what quadrupled. I'm not buying that." Neail frowned.
"As usual you make a valid point. However things are a bit more complicated then you think. The repercussions of not only the war but also this hostile move by the rouge militarist case a small war between two groups. In this the battle ended with both sides being destroyed by atomic, hydrogen, and nuclear fusion bombs." Genki's eyes widened slightly.
"I underestimated the repercussions it seems."
"Yes you did. We need this worlds help to recover."
"After the trouble…"
"I know but we did help you. They were attacked from our side. We held them off and stopped their supply lines for you. We did help and did not want such an act to occur. I know it's a bit much to ask but by trading goods this world gets something in return. We are not asking for a free ride." Genki pondered on this a moment.
"Have you calculated the damage? And just what countries were hit?" Neail sighed.
"Of course we calculated the damaged it would take years before anything will grow again in that region. Mexico and china were the two hit."
"And our own country is still too poor off to produce much on its own?"
"Unfortunately that war hurt us badly. And with our two main suppliers destroyed there is not enough food for everyone."
"Rationing?"
"Already implemented. Its not enough." Holly noticed Genki clench his fist.
"And what were you planning to offer this world in exchange for the goods you require?" Genki's eyes met with Neail's conveying his mistrust.
"Technology, textiles, money. Whatever we have to give that could help this world." Genki looked to Holly a moment.
"We must think this over. And also weigh our options. I will contact you when we have our decision."
"Very well send word to the base that Lopez had when you are ready. And here this will make that easier." He handed him a walkie talkie. "Its range will be enough." He nodded then Neail departed getting into his jeep escort.
"Genki I don't understand what's happening."
"I know Holly but I will explain after dinner. For now I have more to think on while working." He left for the barn leaving Holly to worry about him.
Later that night Holly invited all there trusted friends over for dinner at Genki's request. He of course helped make such a large meal. After they had all eaten Genki sat them down in the living room best he could.
"We have a request of you all. We need your opinion and view on something that we have encountered." Jax looked to his fellow soldiers they all knew what it was about.
"Genki and I agree we should get others opinions on this. It may help us make such a hard decision easier."
"Just tell us then. What is it that's happened?" Tiger interrupted antsy a usual.
" Well an ambassador from my world showed up. Seems things have had far more repercussions because of the war and a secondary war that occurred because of that hostile take over attempted here. They request an alliance of the two worlds."
"What do they want though?" Hare inquired always looking for the catch.
"To trade goods. Apparently since Mexico and China two major producers in my world destroyed each other in a nuclear war there is not enough food. They are willing to trade what ever they can for the supplies needed. They also proposed giving this world more technology and knowledge in the science fields." All were silent in thought.
"The technology they could offer would advance this world's production but at what cost?" Dianna was the first to speak, "After all the technology of our world made things easier and faster but also cause environmental problems."
"As for the textiles. I think this world does very well on that without our help. Given its and older style from what our world is used to but it may be just as efficient." Siren interjected.
"Not to mention why would this world want to get involved with ours? After all it was some of our people who caused so much damage here." Hasuka pointed out.
"And it was both sides who helped defeat those people" Jax countered Hasuka.
"Yes but technology would help in other ways. Transportation like Genki's bike or the jeeps would make things better." Hare pointed out.
"I guess the real question is are these things worth the cost in the long run? Short term they are very helpful but long term they can cause damage no only to the world its self but to those who live in it. Asthma a breathing condition is rare here but very common in our technology based world. Pollution of the air caused that from the machines necessary in such production and speedy travel." Holly looked at him understanding his concern.
"Genki lets wait till Armaoq and Aaka return before deciding. They are also of your world and other worlds as I gather. They have much knowledge and would help us all in this discussion I think. They are due back very soon."
"Yes you are right Love." Holly blushed slightly, being embarrassed at his use of that name in public settings. The others nodded in agreement.
"Alright we'll wait but I want you each to think over this carefully. Ask around the other villagers as well. They have the right to know this and their opinions count." He saw nothing but nods before they departed. Holly found herself in his arms again, his hand on her large belly.
"Genki we really should marry now that we have the spare time."
"Yes do you wish a small or large wedding dear?"
"Small please. Just our friends."
"We'll wait till Armaoq and Aaka return but we will plan it now." She smiled to him.
"It won't be long before you see our daughter."
"That is very true."
Four more days passed before Aaka and Armaoq returned. But they were warmly greeted by all when they did return. With them was Silver their daughter and her husband Bane and surprising Sage Ears accompanied them but merely nodded to them being more reserved then the others. As Holly entertained the off spring of their friends Genki took Aaka and Armaoq off to the side.
"Something wrong?" Aaka saw it written on his face.
"Yes, an ambassador came from my world wishing and alliance. Apparently another war wiped out the last resources they had and they are running out of food. They wish to trade goods: technology, textiles, and scientific knowledge for food." He two looked at each other.
"That is a surprising upset."
"Yes and we waited on our decision so we could consult you. We already consulted the others who have mixed feelings on it along with the villagers. Holly doesn't want to let the people starve and I don't want this world being destroyed…"
"Very hard times indeed. We will speak about it together with our children then we will meet with you and Holly." The old male stated.
"Thank you." He smiled "and our wedding is two weeks from Saturday, your all welcome to come."
"We will be honored to be present."
"Holly and I will look to you for guidance."
"We are more then honored." He was hugged by both despite his earlier statement about guys hugging.
As the days passed Holly and Genki both grew restless. Most thought they were just anxious about the marriage, but both were bothered by what was happening with Genki's world. When the marriage came both were overjoyed and Holly was shocked to see such a large diamond on her ring. After the wedding Genki and Holly rode off on his bike for a little time alone. Genki took them to a near by crystal cave. He carried her in making her giggled the whole time. He laid her on the floor of the cave that was covered by a makeshift bed. Lying beside her he wrapped his arms around her.
"Genki this place is beautiful."
"I thought you would like it." She snuggled against him.
"Genki what do you wish to name our daughter?"
"How about we wait till she's born. Find out her personality and base our decision on that?"
"If that's what you want." He kissed her forehead.
"It is. Holly I know it's unconventional but would it be alright if I help you with the birth alone rather then have Aaka there?" her eyes moved to his seeing sincerity and anticipation in them.
"That's very unconventional and some would refer to it as inappropriate."
"I know but…its something I would really like to do."
"Alright but if there are problems call Aaka to us."
"I will." He lifted her chin to kiss her gently. Emotions flaring in them both.
"I'm definitely your bad girl after this. I miss making love with you."
"And here I thought I was the only one with a dirty mind." She giggled. Relaxing against him she slowly drifted off to sleep. * Yes rest Holly, we will both need it with the complications to come. My world is such a pain… *
When they returned the others were all waiting holding a feast of honor for them, which the entire village created for them. Both Holly and Genki were quite embarrassed but went anyway. Questions about their child came quickly to which Genki and Holly answered the best they could. Holly knew she was due in a about a month her own instincts told her that. Genki had enjoyed feeling the child kick and she knew he would be a loving father. She had informed Aaka of their decision about the birth and Aaka had confided that it was just her and Armaoq during her births. This made Holly feel even better. As the night faded the people took their leave leaving Genki and Holly alone with Aaka, Armaoq and their family. They went into the house to speak. All knowing Genki's anxiousness on the matter.
"We have all spoke about this and it was wise of you to be cautious. Worlds can be destroyed if technology is brought through. However there is an alternative."
"What is it?" Genki asked quickly. Silver looked to him now.
"Limit what they can send through. Things that will not change this world drastically would be fine."
"I agree with my wife. If you limit things like the Amish of your world do things will not change for the worse. You just have to monitor things very closely. At the same time you will help both sides."
"Just be careful" a deep rusty voice came. All looked to the normally reserved Sage Ears, "smuggling and other illegal things can happen in any transport. If things like drugs and such end up over here it could be disastrous. Also remember that though the medical technology of your world Genki is great for saving lives it also can cause over population."
"I am very aware of that. And this idea sounds like it would work rather well."
"Yes it should. Speak with the ambassador. I would not recommend going anywhere while Holly is so close to birthing your child." Holly blushed slightly, making Silver smiled along with her mother.
"I understand. Don't worry we will be careful." A smile spread across Armaoq's face.
"We knew you would. Now please excuse us we have some house cleaning to do." Holly and Genki nodded bidding them a good night.
Genki pulled Holly to him relaxing on the couch with her.
"This plan sounds like a winner what do you think?"
"Yes it has the most potential to help both sides." She paused, "if we agree to this will we have to go to your world?"
"You mean to sign agreement papers? More then likely yes. Why?"
"I was just wondering. I did want to see your world once even if we weren't going to stay there."
"And what's so alluring about my world?"
"Just I want to see those great engineering marvels you spoke of. Buildings that scrape the sky. Bridges that cross-bays. All seem fantastical to me."
"This from a fighter jet pilot?"
"Well I had seen iron birds before though those jets are far beyond what I imagined." She heard him chuckle.
"I'm betting I could arrange a tour of the best sights for you as we are ambassadors. Political people are often treated as royalty while dealing with a government that wants something."
"I don't think we should inconvenience them."
"I doubt it would provide much inconvenience. Besides it's traditional for an ambassador to learn about the country they are allying with. And though I know much most are hard to explain in words."
"I guess you have a point about the learning thing. Genki why did you rebel against your government? I thought you liked it?"
"Our government over steps its bounds because they know the people won't say anything. It breaks its own laws and goes against the constitution at times. It's only a shadow of what it was originally created to be."
"Oh I understand. I you want to reform it so it's how it should be?"
"I would love to do that if I had the power. But I digress."
"Digress?"
"Means to turn aside from a conversation because there is no point continuing."
"Oh ok. Well maybe we should get some rest."
"Yes we should." He picked her up making her giggle.
"I can walk you know."
"I know." He carried her up to the bedroom to sleep for the night. Wondering secretly * what is really going on with them. Things seem bad but other times they are fine. Government cover up? *
to be continued…
(well atleast I finally got 34 done. 35 will be up shortly and so will another chap to TTL. And hopefully I'll get time to do chap 3 of WMHR. Hope you enjoyed this.)
