Full Metal Panic!
Chapter Three
Wish
By Steve Edward
Monday, 2300 Hours, Port of Tokyo
Kyoko Tokiwa had waited till the voices faded away before shifting the top of the crate. The large box had been set to rest in the forward hold scattered among the others. Kyoko slipped over the edge then crouching looked around the hold which was lit with few lights.
Knowing the basics design of ships, she spied the only entry and exit for those on foot and dashing from crate to crate till she was near the watertight door. Taking a breath and exhaling; Kyoko carefully opened the door and slipping thru, she headed aft.
Mao grimaced then closed her eyes as the car slid through the intersection. Kaname Chidori was driving. Melissa Mao now had serious doubts about letting Chidori drive in the first place, much less in a snow storm and said so "Lieutenant we might want to slow down a bit," as Kaname downshifting replied "I don't need a backseat driver. If you don't like my driving you can get out!" as the car slid around a corner and entered the main port entrance.
Commander Drake Ward lent a helping hand to Inspector Ito as the police officer climbed the ramp of the LAV. Ito examined the interior then glanced at Drake and spoke "Mister Ward, I am not even going to ask how you have one of these things." Drake replied "Actually inspector there are two more just like it. They are on the way to the port now. Were you able to get the warrants?" Ito lifted the overcoat slightly to reveal papers tucked into his breast pocket and replied "Fresh from the judge. Shall we proceed?"
Drake spoke "That we shall. Mister Sagara, get this thing moving!"
"Attention! Make final preparations to get underway!" intoned the voice. Kyoko Tokiwa had managed to ascend several decks without detection. Finding an unlocked cabin she entered and leaving the lights off walked towards the small porthole to see outside. She could see men walking on the pier, hunched against a driving snow which even surprised Kyoko who mused "They are setting sail in this?"
If driving was bad, trying to even walk was worse. Mao trying to maintain her balance tumbled from Kaname's view while trying to get back in the car. Her salty language on experiencing the hard landing would have made any marine smile. Gripping the open window and pulling herself upright she spoke "Harbormaster said the ship is the Grantz Explorer a private charter and tour ship. They are getting ready to sail! Take the second left and go two kilometers, the slip where the ship is will be on the right. He says he can't stop it."
Kaname slamming the car into first gear replied "Like heck it is leaving. Will you get in!" as Melissa getting into the seat was jerked back as Kaname floored it leaving a spray of snow behind.
Monday, 2330 Hours, Samuel Eliot Morison TDD-2
The chirping of the intercom woke Captain Simms and turning over to activate it; Andrew noted the time then spoke "Captain speaking." Lieutenant Marcy Takenaka replied "Yes sir, we have a situation developing in Tokyo. Commander Ward requests to speak with you." Rolling out of the bunk, Simms replied "Put him through Marcy."
"Good evening Andrew, sorry to wake you but we have located the possible target. An advance team consisting of Sergeant Major Mao and Lieutenant Chidori are nearing the location now. We have since been informed that the ship is named Grantz Explorer and is apparently getting underway as we speak. Its destination has not been released, but it was reported to the harbormaster that it was for a charity cruise for orphans."
Andrew replied "What about local help?" Drake keying his headset replied "Just one, Inspector Ito. We got warrants to board and search but they are null and void once it leaves that slip. We only have limited search parameters once it is underway. Mao and Chidori are going to try to delay it if they can, but if not well you can figure out the rest."
Andrew replied "Keep heading to the port. We'll see about doing something ourselves. Simms out," as Andrew closed the connection then contacted the bridge "This is the captain. Marcy, make preparations to enter harbor. I want Petty Officer Larkin on sonar. We are going to take a sightseeing tour."
Fumiki leaned over from the bridge wing staring in puzzlement at the two women. One had charged up the boarding ramp while the other went towards the line handling crew on the pier, shouting for them to stop what they were doing. The ships master coming out to join him spoke "One woman is demanding we not sail, she tried to get through the crewman at the entryway. What do you want me to do? The line handlers are refusing to answer my orders."
Fumiki replied "You have axes? Cut the lines and hold that woman at the boarding area till we get clear then shove her off! Get to sea now!" The master stepping back in shock replied "As you wish, but this will be on your shoulders; not mine."
Kaname Chidori was wrapped in a bear hug, unable to reach the concealed combat staff and she watched as the boarding ramp was shoved clear and with a metallic bang and warning shouts of men and that of Mao on the pier she felt the ship shuddering.
Kyoko bleated out in surprise as the end of the boarding ramp, flying past the porthole nearly hit her hand which was holding her cell phone. Trying to send a text message to Kaname Chidori who Kyoko did not know was already on the ship; Kyoko pressing the send button withdrew the phone from outside and slipped it back into her pocket then closed the porthole and slumped back against the wall.
Tuesday, 0005 Hours, Grantz Explorer, Christmas Eve Morning
The harbor pilot was doing his job under protest, and he had little choice since the man who called himself Fumiki was standing behind him with a gun pointing in his back. The ship needed no tugs and as he maneuvered it clear of the slip he could hear the voice of the line handling crew master reporting in his ear piece that a woman had leaped from the pier and was dangling from a mooring line that had frozen in the chalk.
He declined to mention that to Fumiki and continued to issue orders to the helmsman, turning the ship in such a way as shield her from the wind and weather to give her chance to climb onboard.
Kaname Chidori pressed against the bulkhead looked up at the sailor who seemed to be leering at her and said "Do you mind? I need to breath." The sailor let up slightly which Kaname replying in thanks said "Much better, now nighty-night!" as she triggered the Mithril Combat Staff and unleashed a 50,000 volt static charge directly into the oversized belly of the sailor.
Sergeant Major Melissa Mao cursing as she struggled to find purchase on the hull, found an in-hull bollard with the toe of her boot and stretched towards an open access door, while still holding onto the frozen mooring line which was slowly falling out of the chalk above her. Saying a prayer she let go and pushed off the bollard and with just three fingers gripping the icy edge of the access door knife edge swung like a monkey and pulled herself into the interior of the ship.
The LAV's charged onto the pier and coming to a stop their ramps lowered. Commander Ward exiting his vehicle followed by Inspector Ito ran towards the line handling foreman. The man turning to see the armored vehicles and men with weapons briefly put his arms in the air until Inspector Ito spoke "Did you not get the word to hold that ship?" The foreman replied "We did, but they cut what lines they had left and they have the harbor pilot at gun point!"
Ward spoke "Inspector? We might be able to get the harbor pilot boat to take a few of us out. We can board and detain them." Ito looking towards the ship as it faded into the blowing snow replied "No Mister Ward. I think it best that this play out differently. I will not risk the life of a civilian. Let the ship leave the inner harbor. Perhaps your Eagle can handle that matter?" Ward nodded then spoke "Thank you Inspector. We will be in touch."
"Raise ECM and radar masts, set periscope to infrared; Sonar maintain surface watch for traffic and give depth of channel," said Captain Andrew Simms. Petty Officer Larkin replied "Channel depth is according to charts; from keel to bottom we have 150 meters."
Lieutenant Taz Norton spoke "The vessel in question is a former cruise ship, built specifically for operations in artic waters. Instead of the traditional propeller shafts, it is equipped with duel drive pods that also act as rudders. They are capable of swiveling a full 360 degrees for maneuvering purposes. The propulsion plant is diesel-electric and the vessel is equipped with additional thrusters for close quarters. Top speed is listed at 25 knots."
Lieutenant Wren spoke "Commander Ward reports that they will be unable to pursue as the Tokyo Police will not risk a boarding attempt with hostages at this time. The only known hostage is the harbor pilot; however he reports that eyewitnesses stated that two women matching the description of Lieutenant Kaname Chidori and Sergeant Major Mao did get on the ship. One of them apparently leaped from the pier and climbed up a mooring line still hanging from the side and the other went up the gangway boarding ramp where some observed some kind of struggle taking place then a overly bright flash, that caused the lights to fail in that area."
Andrew spoke "Very well. I just hope Kaname remembered to isolate herself from that discharge. Alice, have Commander Ward take the shore team and parallel the coastline. I know the weather is bad and getting worse but if we play our cards right, we just might be able to force that ship into the shoreline and I want him in the area when we do so. Ensign Aryl, tactical analysis please," as Captain Simms turned his chair towards the monitor, it shifted slightly then displaying the icon of the Morison, it showed the icon labeled Grantz Explorer and on land the icons of the LAV's as they maneuvered on land.
Kyoko gathering her wits exited the empty cabin and headed aft then up. The deck above was without lights and as she cautiously made her way up the staircase listening for any movement or sound Kyoko tried to reassure herself.
Reaching the next deck and looking down the unlit passageway, Kyoko stepped out and hugging the bulkhead headed for the centerline cross passage but just as she reached it, someone came from behind and with hands placed over her mouth; Kyoko was yanked backwards into a small lounge and forced to the deck.
Fumiki satisfied with the harbor pilot's work spoke "You handled yourself very well. Now you can leave, you services are no longer needed," and addressing a nearby crewman said "Ensure he gets to his boat safely." The pilot replied "Don't even think about returning to Tokyo, you will not like the reception!" Fumiki angered raised the gun towards the head of the pilot, but the ships master intervened and said "Enough of this. Let him go. The faster he is off this ship, the greater chance we will have at escaping."
Sergeant Major Melissa Mao eased the pressure on Kyoko allowing her to breath as Lieutenant Kaname Chidori kneeling at the entrance to the lounge said "Kyoko, this is one stunt too many you have pulled! What were you thinking?"
Kyoko spoke "I am sorry Kaname, but I thought I was doing the right thing. What can we do now?"
Mao spoke "First off, we need to find out where they are holding the kid, if he is even onboard and then get him out of here. We had a shore based raid team ready to go, but thanks to certain you know who they were a little late in arriving and now we are headed out to sea. We have to find a way to stop the ship or at least slow it down. Then as Mao looked around she addressed Kaname "What's with the lights? I saw the flash?"
Chidori replied as she pointed down the passageway "A certain fellow got in my way. I guess the discharge blew the electrical circuits." Kyoko spoke "Maybe we can damage the electrical circuits?" Mao replied "The staff she carries is meant for humans and not machines but maybe in the right spot it would work."
Kaname thought a moment then said "The Bridge?" Mao replied "Take out command and control systems and this ship goes no where. Ok here's the plan. The kids first, those that may be along for the ride, and then we find the main junction for the bridge power circuits. Blow those circuits and hope backup can reach us from shore, but from the look of things we may need to bring this ship into shore. The weather is getting worse by the minute, and so we may have to help ourselves."
Tuesday, 0100 Hours, Melida Island, Mithril Western Pacific Combat Support Base
Commander Lewis Strong was in the holiday spirit and so was his electric wheel chair. The engineering department of the Tuatha de Danaan TDD-1, had pulled a prank. The chair now sporting a complete set of lights that blinked in multi-color hues whenever Commander Strong applied power were softly glowing. Lewis was not wearing the traditional uniform hat either but sported a red hat that would have made an elf green or red with envy. Where the white cotton ball was supposed to be, it had been replaced by a blinking red and green LED light system.
Hearing the door open behind him and the footsteps approaching he turned to greet his visitors. Captain Teletha Testarossa with Lieutenant Commander Andrei Kalinin and Commander Richard Mardukas stopped before him and Tessa spoke "Merry Christmas Commander. I presume they overdid the chair again this year?" Lewis turning his attention back to the situation room monitor replied "Well they did leave the cow bell off this time. Your back early Madam Captain."
Tessa taking a seat next to Lewis replied "We three were planning on landing in Tokyo, but the weather changed our plans. Can you bring me up to speed on the situation at this time?" Lewis replied "Yes Madam Captain. This is the current situation…"
"Positive confirmation of target, radar frequencies isolated and ECM is programmed sir," said Ensign Aryl. Captain Simms replied "Very well. Lieutenant Wren what about that harbor pilot?" Alice Wren replied "Roughed up but otherwise unharmed. He is returning to the inner harbor. The Japanese Coast Guard is attempting to scramble cutters but the weather is hampering their efforts. SDF is in the same situation, they are too reporting weather problems." Lieutenant Taz Norton spoke "No other surface traffic present. We have intercepted communications with Tokyo Bay Bar Pilots and they have advised that they will not service the Grantz Explorer and that the ship is on its own. There is no other surface traffic in the area and all anchored vessels are in the western anchorages taking advantage of the lee."
Captain Simms replied "Very well, Weapons Officer, load tubes 1, 2, 3, and 4 with all settings to low yield." Lieutenant Marcy Takenaka acknowledged the orders "Aye sir. Loading tubes 1, 2, 3, and 4 with settings to low yield."
Captain Simms spoke "Ok, we are going to place ourselves just South-West of Futtsu-sakki Point. Lieutenant Takenaka when the ship rounds that point it will be in a left turn. That is when we will take action. Is there not a marina or small jetty in the area of Futtsu itself?"
Marcy replied "Yes sir. No longer utilized commercially, the pier and jetty were converted to pleasure craft uses. The main marina will be just to the north of the jetty, the opening is of sufficient size to allow something the size of the Grantz Explorer in, but not us. Lieutenant Taz Norton spoke "The Weapons Officer is correct sir, but latest charts show the area to be rather shallow, even for that class of ship."
Andrew replied "Who said I was going to follow the ship? Marcy time it just right and guide the wire-guided MK. 53 into the port drive pod. It will jam and shut down that pod when it detonates leaving only the starboard pod working. By force of nature itself that ship will have no recourse but to enter that jetty, and I am willing to bet that who ever is the master of that ship will not have the stomach to handle things and he will opt to beach it, and that will allow the raid team to execute the warrant since it will be technically touching land again."
"Quiet…" spoke Mao. She observed the compartment ahead and motioning for Kaname and Kyoko, Melissa crept forward to get a better view then said "It looks like a surgical ward!" Kaname Chidori replied "They don't do the operations on land, they do them at sea." Kyoko peered into a nearby compartment that was once a cabin for passengers and said "Hey I found Tai!" Turning away, Mao and Kaname joined Kyoko, and then they entered the cabin.
Kaname said "They are preparing him for surgery. We have to get him out of here then take out the Bridge. It's the only way." Mao replied "Start working on getting him disconnected, but hold off on those heart leads. They will be the last. Get that IV out of his arm, and when I say go, yank the leads and take off with him. We'll meet back at the cross passage. Got that!"
Kaname and Kyoko acknowledged and at 0135 hours, just as Kyoko yanked the heart leads, all hell broke loose.
Tuesday, 0200 Hours, City of Futtsu, Japan, Chiba Prefecture
At just over 16 tons, the eight-wheel drive LAV was slowed by little in its path. The storms intensity was decreasing; but blowing snow had piled up. Souska Sagara ignored the snow drift and punched through it followed by the remaining two LAV's. Off to their right and headed inland was the Grantz Explorer, crippled and nearly out of control.
Commander Ward taking in the ship's course spoke "Sergeant, at the next intersection make a right. It looks like it may be trying for the jetty. I want to be there when it makes contact." Souska replied "Yes sir commander."
Fumiki held onto a grab handle as he looked towards the master, seething in anger. Fumiki spoke "Do you truly believe that is a submarine? It could be a small ship! The drive malfunction could have been an accident! And their calls to us is a bluff!"
The ships master spoke "It is rumored to be a submarine, who owns it or has control over it is not known but the rumors I have heard says when the call sign "Toy Box" is used one must head their warning. My crew and I are finished with this; we will seek the mercies of the police. You can resist if you want to and that is final."
Fumiki raised the pistol shakily at the ships master, but the bridge door crashing open startling him caused him to fire.
Sergeant Major Mao took three running steps then body slammed Fumiki, whose head slammed into one of the bridge windows, which cracked but did not break. Sliding to the deck with an unconscious Fumiki, Mao rolled clear taking the pistol with her and came to the balls of her feet and surveyed the startled bridge crew and said "Sorry about that. Anybody hurt?" Seeing the nods that no was hurt Melissa spoke addressing the master "You better make a good landing, you have one shot. Make for the center of the jetty."
Tuesday, 0400 Hours, Futtsu Jetty
If someone had made a wish for the storm to go away, it had been answered. Commander Drake Ward surveyed the Grantz Explorer, now swarming with local police and coastguardsmen. Though the snow was still falling it was light and above their heads he could see the stars.
Inspector Fusao Ito standing next to Drake Ward spoke "Well done, though having it end up here is problematic, however I am sure the owners of the yachts that were damaged will be compensated."
Simple fact and statement, which Ward noted did not need a reply from him, but he did anyway. All of this to make a wish come true. Ward spoke "It will be taken care of. What have you found so far?"
Ito opened a small notepad and replied "A surgical facility that rivals that of a major hospital. Not all equipment was in place. There is daresay a jumbled mess in the cargo hold much of which appears to be numerous medical apparatuses. I believe this vessel is where many of the missing children ended up. The medical staff is foreign; the lead surgeon is from China. It will take time to sort things but I will get my answers."
The rumble of an aircraft swooping in caused Drake to look up and he smiled at the sight. A Mithril V-22 LRT with US Navy markings. Inspector Ito spoke above the noise "Many of the roads are still impassable, so we requested a medical airlift. The military is assisting. The young boy will need treatment to be weaned off the drugs that were injected into his system."
Drake Ward replied "I am sure that they are happy to help. Inspector? If you don't mind I will take my leave along with my raid team. I have a lot of paperwork to do." Inspector Ito bowed slightly and then smiling held out his hand and said "Yes I am sure that you do. Please send my holiday greetings to Kalinin when you see him."
Drake tried to not be surprised shook hands then left.
Tuesday, 0800 Hours, Samuel Eliot Morison TDD-2
Doctor George Albert tapped the data tablet to bring the next screen into view then satisfied at the report, blanked the screen and returned it to a nearby nurse.
Exiting the ICU of the submarines sickbay, Doctor Albert walked a short distance to a waiting area where Captain Andrew Simms with a telephone headset in his ear stood by.
"Yes Madam Captain, Commander Ward has turned everything over to local authorities; and I take full responsibility for the damages."
Albert could faintly hear Captain Testarossa's reply "The damages are inconsequential. The owners of that vessel will be held responsible in any case. Onto other matters, what is the status of the emergency hearing for custody to be returned to the grandparents?"
Captain Simms waved at the doctor then replied "Ward advised that they were going into the hearing about 30 minutes ago. We have some help from one of Kalinin's old friends who requested that we pass along holiday wishes to him. A certain old friend is testifying on the child's behalf and I do not think anyone will want to get in his way."
Captain Teletha Testarossa looking outward from her office on Melida Island replied "I seriously doubt there will be any further attempts to keep the boy from his family. Captain Simms? If I may be so bold, I will be coming to the Morison later in the morning and would like to be part of the reunion party that I know you are planning. Commander Mardukas has already left with the Tuatha de Danaan and will be off of Tokyo in three days."
Captain Simms replied "Well I am looking forward to your visit. Have Commander Strong advise us of your updated itinerary and have a safe flight Madam Captain." Captain Testarossa replied that she would and closed the connection.
Hanging up the phone, Andrew looked at Doctor Albert and said "Ok, how do things look for him?"
Albert motioning towards his office said "He'll be out of ICU by the time Madam Captain arrives. Also you might want to look at something. I had a chance to do a blood test first hand and frankly it makes me wonder who was reading the test results. Things do not add up." Following Doctor Albert, Captain Simms entered the doctor's office and closed the door.
Tuesday, 1100 Hours, Tokyo Central Court Building, Tokyo, Japan
"It is the findings of this court that the children be turned over to their respective paternal grandparents who will care for them both till of legal age and that trust funds be established from the parent's life insurance payouts. It is so ordered, this case is closed."
The banging of the gavel punctuated the judge's orders and the occupants of the courtroom rose to their feet as the three judges departed for their chambers.
Kyoko Tokiwa waited till the judges had left then quickly left the courtroom with Kaname Chidori trailing after her. Reaching for her cell phone, Kyoko felt Kaname place her hand on hers as she said "Not yet. It is going to be a surprise. Ok?"
Kyoko replied as she tried to take her cell phone back "Things are over with. I have a story to file!" as Kaname brought forth a rather familiar object and said "Souska is not around. I can use you instead." Kyoko blinked, "You wouldn't?" Kaname leaned towards Kyoko and flicking the large fan open then closing it spoke with a smile "Try me."
Charlotte Ward exiting the court room followed by the gaggle of attorneys on retainer from Eagle took in Kaname and Kyoko then said "Ok, let's head back. You two can argue later in a more private setting if you want, but we need to get Chi ready to go for a trip in a helicopter."
Kyoko turned to look at Charlotte and with a surprised expression spoke "A helicopter?"
Tuesday, 1800 Hours, Township of Ami, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan
Kyoko had to remember that she was a photojournalist first while trying not to become too deeply involved emotionally. The first surprise at the Tokyo heliport was seeing two people whom she knew. One of them a former classmate and the other a former teacher from her days at Jendi High School.
Teletha Testarossa had disembarked second, with Andrew Simms standing at the bottom of the boarding stairs having disembarked first. Both then turned their attention back towards the interior of what Kyoko sure was a military aircraft, but it had no markings.
Then there was seeing Chi's brother Tai as he stepped off the aircraft with the help of Simms and Testarossa who each held a hand as they walked towards the gathering. Kyoko focused her camera on Tai, snapping a range of photographs each capturing a moment in the walk, then Chi's sudden appearance in a frame; her hair flying behind her arms outstretched and tears of joy on her face and then the reunion.
Andrew Simms seeing the young girl running stopped and knelt behind the young boy and with a weak Tai leaning against him held out his arms as Chi running nearly out of control collided with her brother and Kyoko watched through the view finder as Andrew embraced both, then Testarossa knelt as well and took both children into her own. Speaking softly to both, Andrew motioned for them to head for the other helicopter, a 24 passenger Sikorsky which was where Kyoko was now observing the siblings, tired from the initial excitement of their reunion and flying on a helicopter each were slumped against each other, the sound proof cabin isolating them from the noise of the rotors and the turbines.
Andrew, sitting across from her looking out the window then turning his attention back to his PDA and typing on the mini-keyboard had told her that he had been stranded at a military airfield during the storm and had heard that a child had been airlifted in. When Kyoko asked which airfield, he seemed to evade the answer saying it was classified and left it at that, but stated he had meet Drake Ward who had flown out on the aircraft with the child.
Andrew said that Drake had asked him to look after the child and he had done so after Tai had been released from the hospital and while chartering a helicopter for the flight, he had run into Teletha and they flew to Tokyo together. Kyoko was not sure that her former teacher was being forthright with her, but Drake Ward sitting with his wife Charlotte and his son Raymond had greeted both Testarossa and Simms and thanked them out loud for escorting Chi's brother to the reunion and then invited them to attend the even bigger reunion at the town where the grandparents of both the late father and mother lived. Both accepted on the spot.
Kyoko feeling the aircraft tilting slightly spoke "Are we landing?" Kaname Chidori sitting with Teletha replied "Should be in just a few minutes. There is a open field near the grandparents' homes and that is where we will be landing," as Souska Sagara and Melissa Mao both looking out the window, reached for their seatbelts.
The intercom came to life as a female voice spoke "Ladies and gentlemen. We are three minutes from touchdown. The seatbelt light has been turned on for your safety; please raise all seatbacks and trays. Thank you for flying on Eagle Charter Air."
The snow covered field appeared at her window and it was briefly obscured as the rotors whipped up the loose snow, then with a gentle bump the aircraft sat down safely and the rotors slowed and then stopped. A steward walked forward, and opening the passenger boarding door lowered the stairs and spoke "Please check the cabin for personal effects that you would like to take with you. Ground transportation is moving into position and will take you to your final destination. Thank you for flying Eagle Charter Air."
Kyoko was the first off, much to the bemusement of Kaname Chidori and standing between the mini-buses, Kyoko snapped frame after frame of photographs as those onboard disembarked and boarded the bright red busses.
Following the last onboard the last bus, Kyoko looked up in surprise at Melissa Mao sitting in the drivers' seat who jerked her thumb towards the rear and said "Better get a seat," then shifting gears began to follow the lead bus.
The small township, snow covered was picturesque with decorative lights adding hues of colors to the snow.
After passing through the center of town, the buses entered the outskirts and then turning off the main road followed a narrow road that opened up onto facing houses.
In between the two houses stood two men and two women.
After the doors opened, the passengers disembarked. Then the moment that each of the grandparents had sought to have happen did, as Chi and Tai raced away and sliding into the grandparents outstretched arms and the tears of both began flowing once again.
Kyoko Tokiwa captured the moment, and then she sprawled in the snow looking down at her camera. Kaname Chidori knelt next to her and said "A wish has come true, Merry Christmas."
Andrew Simms standing to the rear nudged Drake Ward and with Teletha Testarossa they walked away out of earshot. Andrew spoke "Doc Albert conducted his own tests on Tai and discovered that the boy never had the gene."
Ward rocking back on his heels replied "Then who did?" Teletha spoke "Chi was the one. We can only assume that the mistake occurred during their lab tests."
Ward spoke "The gene is normally associated with male AB Negative just like Andrew told me earlier. Are you saying that Chi carries the gene instead of her brother? The odds of that are …" Teletha interrupting replied "Yes very high. Even Major Roux confirmed the numbers."
Ward glanced briefly back towards the children and the grandparents and said "Ok, I'll bite. What else did Doc Albert find?" Andrew spoke "Based on information from Eagle operatives who located blood samples from each parent, that the gene apparently in some fashion switches from male to female and back to male. Since both are twins, it was the luck of the draw that Chi received the gene instead of her brother who actually should have inherited it from his mother, who was a carrier of that gene."
Drake pondered the mistake that had eventually lead them to here, a small township then said "Well what ever the case, we got them back together," then seeing that the grandparents guiding the children towards one of the homes, Drake spoke "Well I guess we should rejoin them."
Kyoko Tokiwa had drifted away from the celebration and found a quiet but cold seat outside. The stars above twinkled adding their own light of colors to the peaceful surroundings.
Opening a battered notepad, she began to write:
"Chi's wish as well as those of her grandparents was granted by those who will have to remain nameless. Tai with his sister Chi is enjoying a Christmas Eve that neither will forgot for as long as they live.
Could have a simple letter to Santa No Ojisan bring this about? Yes it did and the nameless elves sprang to the call for help putting on hold their own celebrations as a magical Toy Box brought an end to the captors attempting to flee by the sea. To the readers, Happy Holidays."
Kaname Chidori looking over Kyoko's shoulder spoke softly, "Thanks for keeping us out of it." Tokiwa replied "You owe me, don't forget that."
Wednesday, 0900 Hours, Christmas Day, Samuel Eliot Morison TDD-2
Captain Teletha Testarossa satisfied with the reports added her digital signature of approval then spoke "Well carried out Captain Simms, though the way the tactical use of a MK. 53 torpedo was utilized is interesting in itself."
Captain Simms replied "Spur of the moment idea. I give all the credit to Lieutenant Marcy Takenaka for carrying out that part of the assignment."
Captain Simms had good reason to give Lieutenant Takenaka the credit. Marcy had "piloted" the torpedo blindly, following directions of Sonar Technician Cal Larkin had intercepted the Grantz Explorer while the drive pods were still in the port turn, and crossing through the wake and turbulence had scored a direct hit on the port unit effectively leaving the master no choice but to continue his turn inland driven by the seas and wind.
Closing the file, Captain Simms spoke "Madam Captain? Would like to join me for some tea in the wardroom?" Teletha accepted and both captains headed aft.
Raymond Ward was ogling the one of a kind "toy" a full scale model of Arbalest, which had been hand built by the engineering department of the Samuel Eliot Morison.
Drake Ward found a small envelope on the tree addressed to him and opening it, he found a card with Chi and Tai's handwriting. Reading it, Drake smiled briefly then closing the note card returned it to the envelope, which he placed in his coat pocket.
Two years later …
Inspector Fuso Ito's investigation into missing children resulted in the closure of six missing children cases. Fumiki admitted to authorities that the children all orphans and with rare blood types were used for their organs. Others involved in the cases are still being sought. Two years after his trial began, Fumiki was found guilty of capital murder and attempted murder. He was sentenced to death in 2035, and is currently awaiting his appeals process at an undisclosed maximum security facility.
Kyoko Tokiwa who's reporting revealed orphaned children being utilized as black market organ donors received a job offer with a major international news organization and travels world wide carrying out assignments.
The two former orphans still live happily in a small township in Central Japan.
Fini.