Chapter 1 Move Forward
White Willow Cemetery…
On a dark, grey day at a dreary cemetery. At man in his dress blues, his buttons polished, boots shined, his captain patch freshly sewed on. He held two bouquets of white flowers as he stood in front of one large grave stone and next to it a small one. He placed the first one down on Jenny Asuka, then the other one on Alina Asuka. After placing the last batch of white flowers on the graves he stood there to ponder in grief and remembrance of his wife and fourth child. Remembering that dreadful day a month ago, he just came back from a tour of duty aboard USS John C. Stennis off the coast of Somalia hunting down Somali pirates managing to take out a few raiders with his Harrier Jump Jet.
St. Peter General Hospital…
He came home finding out his wife Alina was having their fourth child, he went to the hospital immediately. He came just in time to be there with his beautiful Alina, blond hair like the sun, with sapphire blue eyes. Meeting her by pure chance after his divorce with his first wife that went horribly wrong. Everything was going well until the heart monitor spiked and she lost conscious. The doctor managed to get newly born Jenny out then attempted to bring my wife back. They brought out the depilatory and tried two times, then came that sorrowful long beep. Then the cries of a new born child, the nurse handing the child to me.
The scene itself was chaotic, my two kids Ryan and Emma arrived, I got the nurses to immediately get them both out of the room. Then my newborn stopped crying and then stopped breathing. I began to panic and handed her to the doctor, he handed her to another doctor to take to another room, it only went downhill from there. While I went to my wife in grief that she was gone. Then a nurse came back, "Sir, I'm afraid your daughter is dead," she said in sadness. "Forgive me for asking at this time, what was her name?"
By now the marine captain knelt by his wife's bedside having his face buried in her hand. He looked up with tears, "Jenny, her name was Jenny," he said.
White Willow Cemetery…
It only seemed yesterday when my wife and daughter were buried here. It was only like yesterday when I heard the church bell. Staring down at both gravestones. His month leave was almost up. "Dad?!" a voice called.
He looked up and to his right to see his brown hair son Ryan in his team Arrow Strike uniform. His son approached him looking briefly at the stones. "I miss her too dad, but you told me we must move on with our lives, you've seen Mom and Jenny almost every day, she would've wanted you to move on," said Ryan concerned.
Normally he would not want his son to lecture him, but in this case he was right, he had to move on, for the sake of his children he had to remain strong for them. "Your right son," he admitted looking at the gravestones one last time. "Let's go home, your sister coming home soon, why don't we go out tonight, my treat," he said.
"Sounds good," said Ryan.
Steakhouse Bull…
After going home to pick up Emma, a beautiful young girl finishing middle school. She was the spitting image of her mother but with a short curly cut. and getting out of the dress blues. Tsuneo Asuka now sat with his last remaining children ready to enjoy dinner with them. Although they were missing another son who was also gone, now Alina and newborn Jenny. "Dad, so why were you in your dress blues today?" asked Ryan.
"Well son, first I went to four high schools today trying to inspire some young men to join the Marine Corp" explained Tsuneo.
"You get anyone dad?" asked Emma.
"Just a few maybes," said Tsuneo. "The U.S. Marine Corp is not for everyone, we do not promise a rose garden," said Tsuneo with a chuckle as their food began to arrive. A 12 oz ribeye was laid in front of him with a baked potato. A hamburger placed in front of Ryan with fries. A new York strip with sweet potato placed in front of Emma.
"Anyways I got an important call today," said Tsuneo.
"What was it, your new orders daddy?" said Emma pouting at the thought of her father leaving again.
"Yes, but please don't pout Emma," said Tsuneo.
"So what were your orders?" asked Ryan.
. "Well…"
U.S. Marine Corp Officer recruiting Office, Atlanta, Earlier that Day…
Tsuneo got of his Red pickup truck and walked into the building, The recruiting officer stood up and saluted the Captain. The captain saluted back and then cut his, then the recruiter. "Staff Sergeant, I am looking for Colonel Rick Howling office?" asked Tsuneo.
"2nd floor 3rd door on the left sir," answered the Staff Sergeant.
"Thank you carry on," said Tsuneo making his way down the hall towards and elevator. Stepping into the elevator, doors closed and he went up. He proceeded down the hall to the 3rd door and saw the name on the door Rick Howling. He entered and saluted the colonel who was sitting at his desk. He stood up returning a salute and then cut his first, then Tsuneo. "Welcome Captain, add ease, have a seat," said Howling gesturing for him to have a seat. Tsuneo walked in noticing another man in the side of the office in a suit and then taking his seat.
"First off Captain, my condolences on your loss," said Howling. "How have your recovered?"
"Mine too sir," said the suited man.
"Thank you sir, fine sir," said Tsuneo.
"Good to hear Captain, now may I introduce Eric Crockett from our friend in Arrow Strike.
"Good to meet you sir," said Eric extending his hand. Tsuneo stood up to shake it. Eric pulled up another chair to have a seat.
"To start captain the program for future pilots along with our partners in Arrow Strike have turned up good these past few years. Matches make good green for them, and we and all our brothers in the other branches get experienced pilots," said Howling. "Now getting straight to the point as our friend will now explain," he gestured to Eric.
"Captain, Arrow Strike wishes to expand and we wish to have you on our expanded board in Japan," said Eric.
"Your be representing the Corp along with the Army, Navy, and Airforce who are also sending representatives on their board," added Howling.
"Permission to speak sir?" asked Tsuneo.
"Granted," said Howling.
"Why is Arrow Strike expanding into Japan? I imagine it's more than just them making more green sir," asked Tsuneo.
"Yes, you are correct in your assumption captain we have a third party, the JSDF, due to the aggressive activities of North Korea and China, the Self-Defense Force desires for a better pool of experienced pilots to train and join them ," explained Howling.
"Understood sir, is there more to this?" asked Tsuneo.
"Yes Captain, Arrow Strike is expanding its business to tankery," said Eric.
This made Tsuneo raise an eyebrow "I see, I can imagine the Sensha-Do Federation won't be happy about this," said Tsuneo.
"You are correct Captain, the JSDF want to have access tankery recruits as well, however their tradition posse a problem for them and likely won't make some people very happy," said Howling.
"Yes no boys allowed and sense many girls don't usually go into the JSDF, they want to increase that pool, can't the Diet not intercede and force the SDF into line to allow boys into the sport, I'm sure they would've acted by now," said Tsuneo.
"They've tried that, the SDF have many politicians in their pockets, so instead Arrow Strike will force them to end the restriction by being competition and going after their revenue. The Diet won't say no to the funding of schools," said Eric.
"You were a member of the SDF, you speak Japanese, you trained good pilots, as well as an advocate for boys doing Sensha-Do, you have the skillsets needed," said Howling. "So Captain will you carry out your orders dutifully and willingly?" asked Howling.
"One more question, what of my family?" asked Tsuneo.
"Your family will move with you, do not worry proper arrangements will be made," said Howling.
"And I shall meet you at Narita Airport when you land," said Eric.
"Along with a British army officer," added Howling.
"British Army sir?" asked Tsuneo .
"A man will be working with you from our European circuit a Lt. James Rogers," said Howling. "Now anymore questions Captain?"
Tsuneo with his hands together thought for a few seconds. He then stood up and gave a salute, "Yes sir," said Tsuneo as Howling saluted and cut.
"Carry on Captain, you will find a file of information in your mail, your dismissed," said Howling, Tsuneo then turned to leave the room.
Steakhouse Bull…
"So we are moving to Japan?" asked Ryan finishing his meal.
"That's awesome, but what about our semester we have one month left before summer," said Emma.
"You both will stay here with Grandpa Thomas, then you will move in with me," said Tsuneo. "I'll get thing setup, within two days I'll be leaving for Japan, it probably would be a good idea for a fresh start".
"Dad my friends are all here, I have my own squad," said Ryan.
"You'll be fine Ryan, besides you will be able to be commander of your own team, Steven is a good and all, but you'll never be a Commander, and I believe you will shine at it," said Tsuneo.
"Japan, I'll do high school in Japan in a cut uniform," said Emma.
Tsuneo chuckled, "glad someone is excited." Tsuneo then took the check and left $70 in cash. "Well let's get going you both have school tomorrow," he said.
Home…
That night after the kids went to sleep, Tsuneo went to his desk to check out the file. Looking through, he saw many familiar faces, "Renta, that bastard, so he rose through the SDF ranks'. Chiyo Shimada, so she started her own University team. Then on the next page brought his full attention. 'Shiho Nishizumi, the last time was on bad terms. I return, though I am most definitely going to be your enemy. You won't like it, but I won't give a damn'.
After looking briefly over the file, he then took out an old picture. Of himself younger with a baby girl in his arms feeding her milk. "Maho I hope you grew up alright," said Tsuneo.
Getting up from his desk he took off his shirt and then went to bed. Briefly looking at the other side of the bed, no one was there.
Atlanta Airport…
Getting ready to enter the secure area, with him his two children and his father in law. "This si goodbye Emma, Ryan, but don't worry you will see me again in a month. Just don't give your Grandpa a hard time," said Tsuneo.
"We will father," said Ryan.
"One more thing try not to play too many pranks on one another, especially no stink bombs," said Tsuneo .
Looking to his father in law, "take good care of them," requested Tsuneo .
"Don't worry they will be well taken care of," said Grandpa Thomas. "Just get their safely".
"Then I'm off," said Tsuneo hugging his two kids one last time and then left to make his flight to Narita Airport.
Making his way through security then heading to terminal E he boarded the plane taking hi seat. Eventually the plane left the gate and went on the runway and took off. Sitting in the airplane chair, he pulled the lever on his seat to get some shut eye for the long trip ahead.
Hey all, my first attempt at a GuP fanfic. Looking forward to any feedback.
-Peace-