A Song of Ice, Fire and the Dead
…
Chapter 9: All Dead's Attack
Aegon sat beside Saeko, his legs bent underneath him in a kneeling position. Sitting in front of them, his legs crossed and his hands on his knees was Souichiro Takagi. After a moment of looking at Saeko and Aegon, Souichiro then lifted something in front of him, a katana and offered it to Saeko.
"What does this look like you?" he asked. Placing her hands under the sleeves of her kimono, Saeko took the offered weapon and looked at Souichiro who then said, "I had heard that Master Busujima's daughter was a superior swordsman who bested the famous Sanako Chiba."
"If that is the case, or rather, even if you are a girl," Souichiro added. "If you live the way of the sword, your touch will not sully that blade," he stated.
Saeko slowly unsheathed the blade and recognition dawned in her eyes. "This is rare indeed," she observed as she examined the blade.
"Do you see it?" Souichiro asked, his fierce orange eyes narrowing a little.
Saeko ran her eyes along the details of the blade and replied, "The shallow curve and lack of temper pattern on the double edged blade tells me it was made in the little crow style." Sheathing the blade with a click, she added, "I saw the Rifle Kane-Masa… it's a Murata-tou."
Souichiro put a hand to his chin and nodded in approval. "Just what I expected! As you concluded: it is one of the swords that General Murata, known for his rifles, had forged during the Meiji era in the Tokyo Artillery Arsenal," he said. "They say it can cleave a pig's skull clean in half in a single stroke with no damage to the blade," he added.
"It is very pleasing to the eye," Saeko said respectfully. Souichiro nodded before he looked at Aegon and said, "If you are wondering why I have asked for you here, it is because I have something for you as well, Mr Targaryen."
Pulling out a small case, Souichiro offered it to Aegon who took it with a nod of thanks. Laying the box in front of him, Aegon lifted the latches and opened it. His eyes widened when he saw what lay within the box.
It was a pistol, and it looked to be very well-made. The metal of the frame and barrel were polished silvery-grey steel that had baroque engravings inlaid with blued metal. The grip was a smooth ivory-pearl finish and engraved on both sides a stylised H symbol on it. The gun looked smooth and sleek and while Aegon was not as well versed in guns like Kohta was, he noted that there did not appear to be a firing hammer on it.
"The gun you see is a Husqvarna M1907 9mm pistol," Souichiro told him. "It is the Swedish made variant of the Belgian FN M1903 pistol. They are more or less the same design made by a famous American gunsmith," he said. "The gun was used by many European militaries and police and was known for its reliability, accuracy and performance," he added
"Tis a beautiful weapon, my lord," Aegon said respectfully. He then looked at Chief Takagi and asked, "For what reason would you give these to us?"
Souichiro hummed before replying, "For Saeko, I received training from her father, and for you, Mr Targaryen, I give it to you as thanks for protecting my daughter."
"I already have a sword, Chief Takagi, and even if I were to take this blade, I would give it to my father," Saeko said formally.
Souichiro slapped his knee and laughed loudly. "Hah! You are a daughter of the Busujima family! You speak from the heart!" he said approvingly.
"If you'll forgive me, Lord Takagi, but I could not accept your gift, for I have no experience with guns," Aegon admitted sadly. Souichiro nodded in understanding and said, "Even so, I would be honoured if you would take it anyway as thanks for protecting my daughter." Looking at Saeko and Aegon, he then said, "I can only imagine how bumbling she is and how it burdened you both to protect her."
"It was because of your daughter that we learnt the weaknesses of Them which has proven invaluable," Aegon replied. "In doing so, she has saved our lives," he then said. Saeko then spoke respectfully.
"If you seek to protect your daughter, Chief Takagi, then you would keep her by your side," the indigo-haired samurai said. "The daughter of the Takagi family… loves and cherishes her parents from the bottom of her heart." She added.
"I see the apple doesn't fall far from the tree," Souichiro noted with a small smirk on his lips.
"Then all the more reason, why not rather Komuro?" Saeko asked. "He is the one who had led us to safety," she pointed.
Souichiro replied, "Takashi Komuro has grown into a fine young man since I first knew him when he was but a child. But, I sense he still has doubts."
Aegon cast his eyes down and nodded slightly. "Perhaps he does, Lord Takagi," he said quietly.
"If you see this too, Mr Targaryen, then why not lead yourself? You are older than Komuro," Souichiro said.
"Perhaps so, Lord Takagi, but this is not my land, nor my people," Aegon replied. "If you will forgive me for saying, many people in Japan are wary of foreigners and outsiders. If I were to take over leadership from Takashi, even if he agreed to it, the others may not see it as such," he said.
"But what I can do for Takashi is help him however I can as his stalwart right-hand, his sword if you will," Aegon then said.
Souichiro nodded in approval and said, "Then all the more reason you should invest such trust in him."
The man then dismissed Saeko and Aegon. Bidding their thanks, Aegon and Saeko left the room and headed off to find the others.
…
As they left the room, Saeko looked at her new weapon with a contemplative look. Aegon noticed this and said, "Still wondering if you should take it?"
Saeko blushed slightly and replied, "I am. The sword we took from the shrine is a good weapon that has served me well, but I would be reluctant to discard it."
"Why not keep them both?" Aegon suggested.
"How do you mean?" Saeko looked at him enquiringly.
"Back home, it was a common practice among knights and professional soldiers to carry two weapons; one as their main and the other as a spare," Aegon said. "So you could use one and keep the other in case you lose or break it," he added.
Saeko smiled and nodded. "A simple but effective reasoning," she remarked. "Perhaps I shall do such," she said. "And perhaps you may learn to use that pistol?" she added.
"I may. It'd give me something to talk to Kohta about," Aegon said with a nod of his head.
"I'm gonna get dressed," Saeko then said as she tugged on the sleeve of her kimono. Aegon blinked. "Dressed? Whatever for?" he asked.
"Well, I have a feeling that Takashi, Rei and the others will want to leave the Estate to search for Rei and Takashi's parents," replied Saeko. "And after what you said about being Takashi's right-hand, you may want to as well," she said.
"I did say that didn't I?" Aegon said with a self-deprecating smile. "And I wish to say you look lovely as you are," he added with a soft smile. Saeko's cheeks went rosy and she smiled.
"Flatterer," she teased, and she suddenly pressed a kiss to Aegon's lips. Aegon made to deepen the kiss, but Saeko pulled away with a teasing grin. "Uh-uh. That is all you're getting for now," she said.
"But later?" Aegon asked with a gleam in his eyes.
"Later, when we're alone, you can have me any way you like," Saeko said with a sultry whisper and she gave him a deeper more intimate kiss before walking off, swaying her hips a little. Aegon felt his cock twitch in his pants and released a sigh.
"That girl is gonna be the death of me…"
…
Aegon soon found Kohta, Saya, Shizuka, Ciri and Alice in the garage with Mr Matsudo, the Takagi family's mechanic. The Humvee had been retrieved by Chief's Takagi's men and Mr Matsudo had taken the time to repair the damage done to it. Aegon noted that Ciri had changed back into her ordinary attire and had her sword fixed to her back.
"This is a genuinely nice hummer. A military model too, the owner must be hard-core!" the mechanic said in approval as he twisted a wrench on some bolts. "The wirings are coated to withstand EMPs, just as I thought," he added.
"What kind of friend is she?" Saya asked Shizuka who had a ditzy look on her face and put a finger to her chin in thought.
"So, how soon can the car be fixed?" Aegon asked as he walked into the garage. Kohta noticed the gun Souichiro had given to Aegon fixed to a holster on his waist.
"Is that… a pistol?" Kohta's eyes went star-shaped and he nearly drooled at the sight of the sidearm.
"Aye, Kohta. A Swedish Husqvarna M1907 pistol, I believe Lord Takagi said," replied Aegon as he pulled out the pistol and held it flat in his hand. "I was hoping later, when we have some time, you could teach me the finer points?" he asked Kohta who looked giddy at the thought.
"I'd be glad to!" Kohta exclaimed. "Can I see?" he asked looking at the gun.
"Of course," Aegon said offering the gun to Kohta who almost snatched it and began lovingly examining it.
"The Swedish Husqvarna M1907 pistol!" Kohta crowed. "They're basically the Belgian FN M1903 pistol designed by John Moses Browning for the European market! It's the missing link between the M1900 and Browning's most famous handgun, the 1911 Colt!" he babbled out. "Does this take 9mm or .380 ACP?" he asked looking at Aegon.
"I think Lord Takagi said this one takes 9mm," Aegon replied.
"9mm, got it." Kohta crooned as he looked down the sights of the gun. "The weight of it in my hand! Not as heavy as the 1911, but its reliability and accuracy at close to mid-range balances it out," he said as he listed off the features. "You have to press firmly on the beaver tail safety to fire it, but that was a given in the times it was made," he added with a maniacal smile on his lips.
Everyone watched bemused as Kohta was in his own little world. Ciri whispered to Saya, "Is he always like this?" And Saya nodded in annoyance. Takashi and Rei walked into the garage.
"Hey, what's going on?" the young man asked everyone.
"Well, Kohta is being… well, Kohta," Aegon replied giving Kohta an amused glance. "And Mr Matsudo is fixing up the car," he said.
"Ah, how soon will it be fixed?" Takashi asked Mr Matsudo who said, "Not long now. Just need to tighten up a couple of bolts and reattach some wires and you're good to go." Takashi nodded in thanks.
"So, you're set on going? Just the two of you?" Saya then asked Takashi.
"It's just mine and Rei's parents we're looking for," said Takashi. "I don't wanna inconvenience the rest of you," he added.
"But you brought all of us here, didn't you?" Saya pointed out.
"That was because your house was the closest, remember?" Takashi said to the pinkette and said pinkette nodded in reply.
"Would you object to my joining you?" Aegon asked. "I think I'd be of some help," he said.
"Would you want to stay here with Saeko?" Rei asked.
"I would, but I'm more than happy to help you all however I can, and if Saeko wants to come along as well, then all the more reason," Aegon replied.
"A couple of extra hands would help increase our chances of survival," said Takashi with a nod of understanding. "Besides, this isn't goodbye forever," he added. "We're gonna find our parents and bring them back here to safety," he then said.
Saya pushed her glasses higher up on her nose and said, "Fine. Go, and say hi to your mom for me."
Alice then spoke up. "Aunty Saeko! You look amazing!" the little girl exclaimed. Everyone turned to see Saeko walking, wearing what she had worn before coming to the Takagi Estate with her swords fixed to her side.
"Saeko," Aegon murmured as he looked at her reverently. Saeko smiled at him and said, "I couldn't help overhear what you just said."
"Ah, yes! I offered to help Takashi and Rei find their parents," Aegon said. "Once we find them, we'll bring them back here to safety," he explained. "If you want to come…" he prepared to say when Saeko pressed a finger to his lips silencing him.
"I plan to go wherever you go, Aegon Targaryen," she said to him. They looked into each other's eyes, a smile exchanged between them. Saya opened her mouth to speak when Shizuka gave an excited shriek.
"I remembered! I finally remembered!" the nurse screamed, bouncing up and down on her feet. The action caused her large breasts to bounce in almost comical motions. The guys tried not to stare too much, faint blushes on their cheeks; Takashi had an embarrassed expression on his face, Kohta had a silly grin on his lips and Aegon looked a little confused at what Shizuka was going on about.
"What did you remember, Miss Shizuka?" little Alice piped up and she was suddenly mashed into Shizuka's breasts as the nurse hugged her tightly.
"My friend's cellphone number! I didn't have my cellphone with me since we escaped the school so I couldn't remember it! But I remember it now!" the blonde nurse exclaimed excitedly.
"Your friend?" Aegon asked. "The one who left us the car and all the guns?" he added.
"Uh-huh! She's a member of the special unit in the Prefectural Police," replied Shizuka. "Since she's a member of SAT, if we can hook up with her, it'd be amazing!" she said excitedly.
"But I need a cellphone! Now!"
Takashi dug out his cellphone and offered it to Shizuka who took it and flipped it open. "Let's see, the two is here and the three is there," the blonde said to herself.
"Should I dial it for you?" Kohta deadpanned.
"Don't interrupt, you'll make me forget, okay?" Shizuka said as she dialled her friend's number. After dialling the number, Shizuka put the phone to her ear and waited for an answer. Then an answer came through and Shizuka hopped in the air. "Rika! You're alive!" she screamed happily. "I'm alive too!" she then said after an apparent response. "No, that place is lost, and we borrowed your guns. Sorry about that!"
Then suddenly, a bright white light filled the sky high above the estate. Takashi's phone fizzed and Shizuka looked at it in surprise. "Rika? Rika? Are you there?" she asked as she looked at the phone screen which was now blank. Saya looked up at the light in the sky which was starting to fade.
"Oh, no!"
"What is it? What was that light?" Ciri asked.
"This couldn't get any worse!" Saya muttered.
"What do you mean, Lady Saya?" Aegon asked her. Saya ignored him and spoke to Rei. "Miyamoto! Look down the sights of your gun for me!" she ordered. Rei did so and Saya asked, "How is it? Do you see the reticule?"
"No… there's nothing!" Rei exclaimed in surprise.
"I knew it! That was no ordinary light!" Saya said in frustration.
"Will you please explain what you're talking about?" Aegon asked her pointedly.
"That light was a HANE," Saya said.
"HANE?" Ciri repeated.
"High-Altitude-Nuclear-Explosion," Saya clarified. "A phenomenon that happens when a nuclear warhead is detonated in the stratum of the upper atmosphere, the gamma rays expel electrons from the atmospheric particles causing a Compton scattering. The electrons themselves then affix themselves to Earth's magnetic field generating an electromagnetic pulse over a wide area," she explained. "Do I have to explain everything to you all?" she then asked in irritation.
"So, that means…?" Takashi began to ask and Saya cut him off. "It means all electrical devices with antenna, computer chips or electrical controls are dead!" she said. "We won't be able to use computers or phones anymore!" she added.
"Is there a way to fix it?" Souichiro suddenly walked in with Yuriko and some of his men. Saya seemed surprised but she quickly recovered.
"If we can replace the fried parts, yes, and some cars that don't rely on computer parts should be fine as well," she said.
Souichiro looked to one of his men and gave him orders to assess the damage. Looking at Saya, he said to her, "Saya. I commend you keeping a cool head in this crisis." His tone of voice was softer and fatherlier. Saya smiled awkwardly and blushed.
Then a yell from the front gates alerted everyone. "They're coming this way!" A man was sprinting towards the Estate and was followed by a large horde of Them but he was suddenly grabbed by grasping dead hands and eaten alive. Souichiro bellowed out an order, "Shut the gates! Don't let the dead through!"
Souichiro's men quickly moved to close the gate manually and They pressed against the steel wrought gates and one got through.
"One got through!" screamed a survivor.
Kohta aimed down the scope of his rifle. "One inside the pocket," he muttered to himself as he lined up his target and with a firm squeeze of the trigger, Kohta fired a successful headshot on the undead wretch. A wicked smile was on Kohta's lips as Souichiro's men looked at him in surprise. "That's one for the home team!" the young marksman said sinisterly with a thumbs-up.
Then one of Souichiro's men came up to them and offered Yuriko something. "Sir. Ma'am. I've brought them as requested," the man said formally.
Yuriko took what was offered and in an act that was surprising, she ripped the lower part of her dress up to her thigh and slung a belt of ammunition clips to her shoulder and held a small submachine gun in her hands. Saya's hand shot out to cover Kohta's eyes and she gaped at what her mother was doing. Everyone barring Yuriko's husband and their men stared in shock.
"Mom?! What are you doing?!" Saya babbled out. Her mother smiled and replied, "Back when I was working on Wall Street, I took the executive self-defence dourse. I might even be a better shot than your father," she said modestly. Yuriko then offered a gun to Saya and Kohta's eyes lit up.
"A Luger P08 with a drum magazine and stock?!" Kohta drooled at the sight of the German-made pistol. Aegon nodded his head in understanding; it made sense that Souichiro could get his hands on such armaments given his position as the head of the Right-Wing party, but that could wait for contemplation later.
"I don't know how to use a gun!" Saya protested to her mother who smiled and said, "Hirano will be able to teach you. You'll teach my daughter, wont' you, Hirano?" she asked sweetly.
"Yes! Yes! Yeeeeessss!" Kohta squealed excitedly.
Then the sound of metal bending and stressing brought everyone's attention to the gate as They pressed against it.
"That gate won't hold!" Aegon cursed as he drew Blackfyre. Saeko and Ciri also drew their swords, the blades gleaming brightly in the afternoon sun.
And sure enough, just as Aegon predicted, the gate broke and the shambling masses of Them spilled into the Estate grounds. Survivors screamed in fear as they fled from the hungry dead. One of Souichiro's men ran up to them. "Sir! I surveyed the area from the second floor! The estate next door hasn't been attacked yet!" the man said.
Souichiro nodded and Saya spoke, "Dad! Why don't we barricade ourselves in the house?"
"It would be pointless, Saya! The dead would just break through as well!" Souichiro replied. Speaking loudly to the survivors, he shouted, "We will break through the enemy! All those willing and able to fight with me! And the women and children, stay close behind!"
Glancing at Kohta and Aegon, Souichiro said to them, "Mr Hirano? Mr Targaryen?" Both of them looked at Chief Takagi. "Take care of my daughter," he said to them simply. Kohta and Aegon nodded firmly.
"Dad?! What are you talking about?!" Saya screamed. Aegon grabbed her and held her face in his hands and said to her, "Saya! Now is not the time! Do as you parents wish!"
"What are you-?" Saya tried to say when Yuriko suddenly slapped across the cheek. Saya held her now red cheek and looked at her mother in shock. "Mommy?"
"Quit being such a child, Saya! Your father and I have work to do!" Yuriko said to her. "Don't make us feel any more bad than we already do!" she added with an angry and sorrowful look in her eyes.
"Mom?" Saya was on the verge of tears. Aegon held Saya close and said, "Do as your parents, lady Saya," he said to her softly.
Yuriko nodded her thanks at Aegon and she looked at Alice. "Alice? I want you to be brave and strong for your family. Can you do that for me?" she asked the little girl kindly.
"Yes, Mrs Takagi!" Alice put on a brave front but her bottom lip was trembling as she held Zero in her arms. Yuriko gave her a warm hug before standing to her feet.
"Now… get out of here!" she ordered the group.
"Mom… I love you both so much!" Saya sobbed as she ran towards the Humvee with the others.
…
As They approached, the group found Mr Matsudo working on the car. "Mr Matsudo?" Takashi said to the mechanic who looked up from what he was doing and said. "I've still got some wires to fix! It'll take a little time!" he shouted.
"Then we'll buy you as much time as needed, Mr Matsudo!" Aegon proclaimed as he, Saeko and Ciri moved to engage the approaching undead. "You two ready for this?" the Valyrian asked the Japanese and Witcheress.
"By your side, Egg!" Saeko replied firmly as she held her katana in her hands.
"This'll be quick and easy!" Ciri boasted as she held her sword in a two-handed grip. Aegon smiled at the two and nodded.
"Here they come!"
With a rasping gurgling wail, the undead surged forward. The blade of Blackfyre went dark with contaminated blood as it sliced cleanly through flesh, bone and organs. Saeko's katana sliced heads in half in a variety of angles and Ciri's sword cut through Them like They were wheat before the scythe.
Rei, Takashi and Kohta began to lend their assistance as well. Rei stabbed her bayonet, thrusting rapidly into the skulls of them. Takashi's shotgun roared sounds of thunder and the 12-gauge buckshot pellets slammed into the undead, knocking Them back or blasting apart Their heads. Kohta was in a kneeling position as he looked down the scope of his rifle and fired fast and accurate headshots into the zombie contingent. Saya, Alice, Zero and Shizuka hung back from the fighting, allowing the others to defend them.
As three of the undead tried to surround Aegon, he whirled around, his Valyrian blade like a deadly tornado as it cut through the limbs of the undead. Saeko was like a lightning flash, holding nothing back in her strikes. Ciri showed just how flexible she was as she spun and twirled about like an acrobat or Olympic gymnast, her sword severing limbs and heads with each turn and spin of her body.
But still, the undead kept coming and there seemed to be no end to Them.
Takashi was side by side with Kohta and exclaimed, "This is just like the Alamo!"
"Tell me about it!" came Kohta's response.
Matsudo slammed the hood of the Humvee shut and shouted, "Finished! You're good to go!"
Takashi heard and shouted, "Fall back! Get to the car!"
Aegon, Saeko, Rei and Ciri broke off their assault as they ran back toward the garage. Shizuka climbed into the driver's seat and slid the key into the ignition. Turning it and pressing on the gas pedal, Shizuka gave a silent prayer that the Humvee would start. With a roar, the vehicle came to life. "Everyone get in!" Shizuka shouted.
Everyone climbed into the car, Saeko stood in the gunner port. Takashi then looked at Mr Matsudo. "Mr Matsudo! Get in!"
Matsudo took out a large wrench and smiled. "Sorry, kid, but the lady I love is with you!" Looking at Saya, he said to her with a bow of his head, "Lady Saya. Please take care of yourself."
Saya gave a sad smile and replied, "Always do."
"Now!" Takashi ordered Shizuka who pressed her foot to the gas pedal and the Hummer roared and surged forward. The car weaved to-and-fro between the throngs of the undead. Saya looked out the window and saw her father and mother standing against the undead horde. A look of anguish passed on Saya's face as she watched what could be her parent's last moments and their sacrifice to get her out alive.
Racing past the horde, Shizuka white=knuckled the steering wheel in her hands as she drove the Hummer out onto the road. Soon they came to the barricade which they saw was in shambles and wrecked which explained how They were able to make it through. But the problem was there was only a small gap and the Humvee was too wide to fit through the gap.
"I don't suppose this car can fly?" Aegon asked bleakly and as if in answer, Shizuka suddenly turned the wheel and the Hummer tilted on its side. Saeko nearly fell out were it not for Aegon grabbing and pulling her inside the car at the last minute. With only minor damage in the form of a side mirror being broken off, the Humvee and its occupants made it through the gap. Shizuka then tilted the steering wheel and the car fell back onto four wheels and zoomed through the darkening streets.
Silence fell over the group as they drove into the night. Rei looked at Saya and made to speak to her when Aegon placed a hand on her shoulder and shook his head silently. Rei had a saddened look on her face and sat back in her seat.
"Where do we go now?" Alice suddenly asked and no-one could seem to answer before Aegon spoke in a firm clear voice.
"We're going to look for Rei and Takashi's parents," he said stoically and he looked at Shizuka and added, "Then we're going to look for Lady Shizuka's friend."
"if anyone has any objections?" Aegon then asked.
"Sounds like a plan," Takashi said in agreement and everyone made noises of assent.
Aegon sat back in his seat and looked out the window. While he had never expected to come to this world, and had never expected a plague of undead to show up, the friendships he had made with these people reminded him of his mentors and teachers, Lord Jon, Ser Rolly, Haldon the Halfmaester and Septa Lemore. A brief feeling of guilt washed over Aegon as he realised he hadn't thought about them in some time. Silently, Aegon promised himself that he would find a way back home and he wouldn't be going alone either. First he would help Takashi and Rei find their parents, then help Shizuka find her friend. Then if all went well, he could ask Ciri to use her gift to bring them to safety.
Of course, deep down, Aegon knew that the plan may not work, but it was better than not having a plan at all. Looking at Saeko, Aegon made a silent promise that he would fight for her and give her a reason to live. He did not know if what he felt for Saeko was real or not, but he would be willing to find out.
Saeko looked up at Aegon and gave him a brief smile. Leaning down, Aegon pressed a gentle kiss to her temple. Saeko smiled at the show of affection and practically snuggled into his side, settling herself there comfortably. The only person who noticed this little display of affection was Ciri and she gave a secretive little smile as she settled into her own seat.
No-one in the Humvee knew what the future held in store for them. But at the very least, they were alive and head each other. They couldn't ask for more than that.
TO BE CONTINUED…
A/N: There! The ninth chapter of this done and dusted! For those of you who watched the anime, this is basically where it ended, barring the OVA beach episode, which may be the next chapter to add some levity in contrast to this chapter. From here on, it'll be most OC content that I'll have to make up, plus the crossovers into Witcher, Fallout and some others. One of my reviewers suggested that for the Fallout crossover, I should use Fallout 76 as it would be more appropriate which I kinda agree with and it would give me the opportunity to use some OCs as Vault 76 Residents, plus the Wastelanders character factions of the Settlers and the Raiders.
Unless of course, someone can give me some valid reasons to not use FO76? But the Fallout crossover won't happen for a little while as I've got some other characters from the manga to introduce. Those of you who read the manga chapters will know what I'm talking about.
Anyways, that's about it from me, so I'll leave this here and I'll see you all in the next one.
Be kind to one another,
Angry lil' elf.