Warning: Rated for language, some violence and adult behavior.
The main characters of this story are based on characters from the cartoon 'Code Lyoko.' I do not own, nor do I claim, any copyright to these characters.
She spent the first night they were apart softly crying in her bed. He wasn't even gone a day and she felt as if her soul were ripped in two.
The only thing that saved her that night was Ulrich's shirt. On that last morning, when they parted, she secretly put the tee shirt he had worn the day before in her bag. He never said anything about it, so he must not have noticed it missing. When she got home, she took the shirt and stuffed one of her bed pillows into it. That night, she crushed it to her and pretended that it was him she was holding, breathing in the residue of his scent still embedded it it. She clutched that life preserver to her, holding on for dear life, until a life line was thrown to her the next night.
In her dreams she saw him, standing before her.
"Ulrich!" she cried for joy and leaped into his arms.
"God, I miss you," he murmured in her ear between his kisses.
She drew back from him. "I miss you too. Oh, this dream is so wonderful, and terrible at the same time," she said to him, "it's so good to see you, but seeing you makes the parting worse."
"It isn't the dream that makes your parting worse, but your ignorance," said a voice.
The couple turned around, and saw that two people had joined them. They were a man and a woman. They were tall, and both had long blond hair that fell to their hips. Between them was a thin silver chain, that went from the around the neck of the man to the neck of the woman. Bright blue eyes regarded them.
"Who are you?" Ulrich said.
"Who We Are is not important to you in this case," said the woman, "What We Are to You is an Example."
"An Example?" both Ulrich and Yumi said.
"Yes," said the man, "We Are what You can be, Two Who Are As One. The bond we share draws us so close, that our minds, almost our souls, have become as one."
"The bond you have can give you the same gift, if you will use it," said the woman.
They looked down at the thin silver chain that ran between them, their bond.
"Two of your friends have already discovered this aspect of their bond, and it has brought them great Joy," said the man.
"Then," Yumi said, "this isn't just a dream? Ulrich is really standing next to me, not just some dream picture?"
"Yes," said the woman, "your true selves stand here in this place, with nothing to hide."
When the woman said that, Yumi realized that both she and Ulrich were standing there naked before them. She thought she would blush out of embarrassment, but didn't.
"There is no shame here," said the man, "just as there are no secrets. That too is a part of your bond, one that can be a two-edged sword."
"You have been separated because it is Necessary," the woman said, "but now you know that you can always be together. Whenever you need it, concentrate on your bond, and the other will be there."
Then, they were alone.
Yumi looked at Ulrich, Her Love, Her Life. She placed her hand on the chain, and sent herself to him, just as he sent himself to her.
After that second night, the summer became a little more bearable. She spent her time preparing for college, for moving across the world. She spent time with her friends, savoring these last few days with them, not knowing whether she would ever see them again.
She also spent a lot of time with Desmond Hopper, who helped her prepare some logistical details for her life in America.
"One of the things you must understand is that things work differently in America than they do here in France," he told her, "one of the things that should concern you, as it does your parents and me, is health care."
"Wouldn't I just go to the doctor, or the hospital if I got sick?" she said,
"Yes, and then you would pay the bill," he replied. She looked at him strangely.
"Health Care is one of the differences in America," he went on, "the government does not fund health care there like it does here. You will be expected to cover your costs."
"But how?" she asked, "I'm not going to have any way of doing that!"
"I've given it some thought, and here is what we are going to do," he replied, "technically, the Kadic Group is an international concern. Usually, international concerns have satellite offices in the countries they serve. We shall do the same."
"What?"
"I am making arrangements to open an office of the Kadic Group in Washington DC," Desmond said, "when that is done, you shall work there as an assistant. This will give you a salary to supplement your income, and it will provide you with health insurance. It will also keep you in the loop as to what's going on in the organization."
"Thank you, sir, I appreciate all of this," Yumi said, "but truthfully, I've never really been that far 'in the loop' as you say, on anything the Kadic Group has done."
"Yes, I know, and that has been our mistake," Desmond replied, "one that I will see to rectifying. Jeremie is a very bright boy, but there are a lot of things he doesn't yet understand."
"Yeah, like trying to fight XANA all alone," she said flatly.
"Yes, not to put too fine a point on it. Even though XANA has been destroyed, the evil it created is still here, and it's slowly growing. I take it you've never seen any of the information we have been receiving, have you."
"No."
"That must change. Once a week, until you leave, I want you to spend a day with your mother at the office. I want you to look over the information we've been gathering. And when we get set up in America, I want you to continue that study, and keep your eyes and ears open for any new information."
Finally the day came. Her parents threw another party, one for Yumi's friends to come and say goodbye. Yumi tried to stay upbeat, but deep in her heart, she thought of the party as an American Wake.
Her friends went with her to the airport when she left. Desmond Hopper and his wife Marie brought Jeremie and Aelita, while Jean-Pierre Delmas brought Odd and Sissi. She hugged them all close, then turned to leave. Desmond stopped her.
"Yumi, you will need these," he said, handing her an envelope. "It will take a little time setting up shop in Washington," he said, "and this should get you through until then. I've already made most of the arrangements, but you will have to sign those documents at the bank and show them your passport. The main office is close to the school, I checked. Good luck Yumi, and keep in contact."
Yumi nodded and went through the security checkpoint. Her friends waived and carried on until she was out of sight.
When she got to the gate, she looked at what Desmond gave her. Inside was a document, a signature card for a bank account. The account was in the name of the Kadic Group, and her name was designated as one of the signatories. The other thing she found was a bank card in her name. There was also a note:
Yumi,
When you get settled, go to the bank and fill out the signature card. For now, give your dorm room as the mailing address for the account. There should be more than enough funds in the account to tide you over until I get the office established.
If a true emergency arises, use your best judgment, then call me as soon as possible afterwards. Your mother assures me that you are a responsible person, except where men are concerned.
Good Luck and stay in touch,
Desmond Hopper
The next few days were a blur for the Japanese girl. She arrived in Washington DC, got through customs, and somehow got herself to American University. She checked in, got her dorm room assignment, found her room, and collapsed.
The next day was Orientation Day, so she spent the day getting oriented. She also met her roommate, Jessica Wilson.
Jessica was about Yumi's age. She was petite and had short red hair. Her skin was covered in freckles. She seemed nice enough, but unremarkable. That is, until Yumi saw some of the stuff she unpacked.
One of the last things Jessica pulled out of her luggage was a go board, quickly followed by two bowls containing go stones. Yumi smiled, oh yes, I think we'll be good friends...
A few days later, Yumi went to the bank to turn in the documents Mr. Hopper had given her. She showed the man at the bank her identification, signed the documents and turned them over. The man checked to see that everything was in order, then smiled.
"Alright, that's it, Ms. Ishiyama. I was also instructed to give you this."
With that, he handed Yumi a key,
"What's this?" she asked.
"It's a safe deposit box key. Mr. Hopper arranged to have it set up when he set everything else up. The signature card for the account also acts as a signature card for the box. He also wanted me to tell you to go open the box when you came in."
With that, the man took Yumi to where the safe deposit boxes were stored in the vault. They went to her box, where she gave the man the key. He opened it and pulled the container out. It was a large, deep box.
The man then took Yumi to a room, set the box down and went to leave.
"When you're done, close the box up and let me know, and I'll put it away." With that, he left.
Yumi opened the box. Inside was what looked like a cell phone, but it was unlike any she had ever seen before. Compared to cell phones she was used to, this thing was huge, as big as a telephone handset. It also had a big thick antenna, as long as the handset was and as thick as her thumb. There was a note attached to it with a phone number and the message, "Call when you open this".
She picked up the phone, studied it a moment, trying to figure out how to turn it on. She finally grasped the phone's operations, turned it on and dialed.
The phone rang twice, then made some funny noises. Then someone answered.
"Kadic Group, Ishiyama," came a female voice, a familiar female voice.
"Mom!" Yumi said, surprised.
"Yumi! It's good to hear your voice! I take it you are at the bank now," her mother replied.
"Yes, but what's going on? What is this thing?"
"It is a satellite phone," came another voice, Desmond Hopper's, "You should be able to reach us anywhere in the world with that phone, so don't lose it."
"Thanks, but why do I need it?" she asked.
"As I explained earlier, you will need to keep your eyes and ears open for any information about XANA's followers. If something comes up, use that phone to call in. It is a secure phone, so no one will be able to overhear your conversations. Also, you need a phone so you can keep in contact with family and friends."
"Mr. Hopper, I don't know how I'll ever be able to thank you," Yumi said.
"If things work I the way I would like them to, you will be repaying me, and all of us, with interest. Now, there is another thing. In the box is a folder, do you see it?"
Yumi looked in the box and saw it. "Yes, sir, it's here," she replied.
"Good. I want you to take it with you and read it. You will need to know the information it contains."
"What is it?"
"A dossier on your partner."
"Partner!" Yumi exclaimed.
"Yes, he has been with the Kadic Group for a while now, working mostly as a consultant, helping us get set up and running. He is returning to America now, and will be the front man for the Kadic Group in the USA."
Yumi opened the folder. There was a picture inside of a somewhat older man, wearing the uniform of the United States Marines. For a moment, she thought it was Taylor Thompson, Jeremie's friend, but it wasn't. The man did look familiar though, but she couldn't place him, until she read his name.
General Allen Maxwell, USMC.
"You remember him, I suppose," Desmond asked her over the phone. Yumi startled a little; she had forgotten she was in a phone conversation.
"Yes, I do," she replied.
General Allen Maxwell was the ranking officer at the United States Embassy in Paris. One of the things he was in charge of was the Embassy's Marine Guard. That was how Yumi knew the man.
General Maxwell had accompanied two of his non-commissioned officers, Ann and Taylor Thompson, out to a US Air Force Base for a training session that Taylor had set up for Jeremie and his friends. Yumi and Ulrich did something stupid and got caught making out during the session, and was royally chewed out by Mr. Thompson. General Maxwell was also there, and overheard enough that he took to calling Yumi and Ulrich his 'wayward lambs.'
She also remembered sitting across from him in the back of an army truck, going to the factory the night of the Embassy Ball that almost got Jeremie and Aelita killed, the night that almost exposed their secret. If Jeremie hadn't done a Return To The Past, they might never have defeated XANA. That was what Yumi remembered most about the man.
"Well, don't let that meeting prejudice you against him. He is a good man, and very intelligent. Unfortunately, he wasn't promoted, which, at his level means he will never advance any farther than he has. He is in the process of retiring and returning to the United States. He will be the public front for the Kadic Group."
"And what am I supposed to do for him?" she asked.
"That is for you and him to ultimately work out, but he is not your superior. Actually, in some ways, you will be his superior."
"Huh?" she said.
"General Maxwell is a very astute person when it comes to politics, particularly American politics. He is also very good at manipulating the Intelligence Community. But he knows nothing about XANA or its followers. Even the little you know is more than he knows. You are to guide his education, and direct him to areas he can investigate for us."
"Mr. Hopper, I don't know if I can handle this," Yumi said, "I mean, I just got to school, and it's overwhelming. Now, you're telling me I've got to supervise a man almost old enough to be my grandfather about something I know very little about!"
"We have faith in you, daughter," Yumi's mother piped in, "whatever you do will be good enough."
"There's one last thing, then I'll let you go," Desmond said, "have you checked the account balance of the account yet?"
"No," she replied, "as soon as we completed the paperwork, the man gave me the key and brought me to the box."
"Alright," he replied, "check the balance before you go. There should be at least two-hundred thousand dollars US in the account, if I read the exchange rates correctly when I made the transfer."
"What!"
"Yumi, that money is supposed to help set up the office there," Desmond said, "what I wired should be enough to get started, but I know I'll have to send more. That is also an emergency fund in case you get sick or injured. Once the office is up and running, I'll have General Maxwell secure medical insurance for you."
"Two. Hundred. Thousand. Dollars. And you want me to have access to it!"
"Your mother always said you were very responsible with your finances. And hopefully you will keep Jeremie's handling of the Kadic Group's monies as an example to live up to. Take a little to get you started in school, and we'll get things set up once Maxwell is there to help."
