The Final Countdown
Chapter 4.
Prince Akihito brought Astro up to his room to entertain him, and show off his prized possessions.
"You told the guards that you were a friend of the royal family, but I don't think we've ever met." The prince said. "Still, it's been awhile since I had someone near my age to entertain, so I went along with it."
"We actually do know each other, or at least we will in the future." Astro said. "It's a bit hard to explain, are you a student of science?"
"I've been schooled in all of the modern studies of the sciences and mathematics." Akihito answered.
"Are you familiar with Einstein's theories?" Astro asked.
"Yes, I've read about his theory of relativity." The prince replied. "I'm not quite sure that I fully understand it however."
"Well Einstein established a mathematical relationship between gravity, time, and the speed of light." Astro explained. "According to his theories travel though time is possible."
"Yes, I recall reading something like that in one of the textbooks." Akihito replied, "But why did you mention that."
"Because I am from the future." Astro said. "I was blown here in a freak storm, I came from the year 2014. I know what Japan is about to go through because I've read about it in the history books."
At that moment one of the palace guards entered the room. "I'm very sorry for the interruption your highness," the uniformed officer said, "But we have a boy locked up downstairs in the detention area. He says his name is Daichi, and he claims he is a friend of yours and that someone named Astro would vouch for him."
"I go by that name." Astro said.
"Do you know this person they are talking about?" the prince asked.
"Yes I do. He will also be known to you in the future." Astro sighed, "It would be safe to release him, he means no harm. I suspect that he was lost in the same way I was."
"Ah, I see." Akihito replied. "You will release this Daichi and bring him up to us." The prince told the guard.
"Yes your highness, at once." the guard replied, bowing as he made his exit.
A few minutes later the door reopened and Atlas in his Daichi attire was escorted into the room. Atlas noticed Astro standing next to the prince and calmly said, "Thank you, your highness for inviting me in, could I speak to Astro for a moment?"
"Please excuse us for just a minute." Astro said, bowing to the prince. He grabbed Atlas by the shoulder and pulled him over to the side of the room.
"What are you doing here?" He asked.
"I was going to follow you when you left school thinking that you set me up with Mustacheo and that taser. Actually, I'm now thinking you would have been too stupid to try that, it must have been Reno's doing. As for how I got here, well I guess you must have gotten caught in the same freaky storm that I did." Atlas replied. "Do you realize when we are?"
"Yes I do." Astro said. "We are about a month away from our countries attack on Pearl Harbor. We need to stop that from happening. I was hoping I could talk some sense into the Emperor, or maybe the Generals."
"Yeah good luck with that." Atlas laughed. "You've got the right idea, but your plan to achieve it is too lame. Didn't you learn anything from Mustacheo's lecture this morning? What we should do is to head over to Hitokappu Harbor on Iturup Island and take care of things my way."
"NO Atlas!" Astro hissed. "What are you thinking of doing, sinking the fleet?"
"It it comes to that." Atlas said in a low voice, "but call me Daichi in front of his highness."
Atlas pushed Astro aside and walked over to Akihito. "Excuse me your highness, but I understand that you play a mean game of shogi. Would you care for a match?"
"Certainly!" the prince replied, taking the shogi set down from the shelf. He quickly set up the board on the floor, and Atlas sat down next to him. Astro watched as the prince and Daichi enjoyed their game. He was amazed at how civil Atlas was towards humans when he transformed himself into the Daichi form. The omega factor in his programming must have been more intense for the battle bot transfiguration. If only he could keep Atlas in his current mode, but he knew that wouldn't last.
Daichi and prince Akihito were deep in the middle of their shogi match when there was a knock on the door and one of palace servants stood at the door. "Master Akihito," he said, "It's time for the evening meal, would you and your guests be so good as to come downstairs for dinner? Your father is waiting."
Astro's ears perked up, he was hoping that he would be able to get an audience with the emperor, and having dinner with the royal family would certainly give him the opportunity.
"Can you bring our meal up stairs to my room?" Akihito asked "I'm deeply involved in a Shogi match, and I think I have my opponent on the ropes. Explain it to my father I'm sure he will agree to it."
"Very well master." The servant replied. Astro wanted to convince the prince that he shouldn't disobey his father and come down to dinner, but thought better of it. About ten minutes later several dinner carts with covered trays appeared in the doorway. Two servants started to serve the dinner. The butler who had appeared earlier spoke. "Your father said he understands, and sends his luck with the game. He also requested that you and your friends join him later for tea later in the evening."
"Thank you." Akihito replied. "Tell his royal highness my father that we will join him later."
Astro felt a little relief, perhaps his plan would work after all. For now, Atlas seemed to be enjoying himself playing Shogi with the prince. He wasn't sure if Daichi was allowing the prince to beat him, or if he really was out matched. Either way, it seemed to be the proper strategy.
By the time the three of them had finished their dinner, and a rather lengthy Shogi battle the hour was rather late. Upon reaching the dining room where the Emperor Showa would have evening tea the boys found the Emperor's wife Nagako waiting for them. "I'm sorry son," she addressed Akihito, "But your father was called away on official business of state." She said. "He may not be available tomorrow, either." She told the prince. "If your guests would like to stay for the night, I will have the servants prepare quarters for them." She added.
Astro at once realized what was going on. He knew from history that on November 2nd, which was tomorrow, the emperor would meat with Tojo, Sugiyama and Nagano, and the next day Nagano would explain the plans for war. The emperor would approve those plans by the 5th of the month. If he was to influence the Emperor Showa, he had to act fast.
"Yes, your highness." Astro addressed the Emperor's wife. "Thank you very much, I'd like that."
Daichi bowed as he replied, "Thank you, that would be an honor for me."
"Please see to that then Mother." the prince added.
"At once, son." his mother replied.
Astro and Daichi were set up in adjacent rooms in the guest wing of the royal house. There was a connecting doorway between their rooms that could be locked from either side. Astro left the door on his side unlocked, although he noticed that the door on Atlas's side was bolted. Looking around the room he saw that more traditional clothing suitable for appearance before the royal family had been left for him in the closet. There were several sets of Haori and Hakama in plain colors that appeared to be in his size. Also were provided several Kimono on hangers. Also on a shelf were several Haori himo. In addition, several pairs of Tabi socks and Zori sandals had been provided.
Astro undressed and placed his clothes neatly on a chair and got into bed. He knew that he would have a hard time getting any sleep, and he mentally set an internal alarm clock so he would be up early enough to try and catch the Emperor at breakfast before he became involved with the prime minister and the generals.
Daichi bid Akihito goodnight and was escorted to his assigned room by the prince's servant. He looked around his room and noticed the door leading to the adjacent room. After bolting the door he noticed the clothing hanging in the closet. The Haori and Kimono were a subdued red color, with a dark yellow Hakama. "He knows my colors," Atlas smiled to himself. Daichi got ready for bed quickly, and was soon lying on his back looking up at the ceiling, deep in thought. He admired the prince and suddenly felt a strong loyalty to the royal family.
"I've been a fool!" he thought to himself. "The real problem with the way history has gone was that Japan lost the war, not that we fought it. Astro and I both know the history of the war, and we both know why the Americans were the victors. We shouldn't be trying to prevent Japan from entering the war, what we should be doing is to insure our countries victory." It didn't take him very long to realize that the attack on Pearl harbor had been a botch job. The attack force had left much of the fleet in repairable condition, and the attack hadn't been followed up by immediate strikes against the US west coast. Japan could have delivered a knock out blow that would have left the US vulnerable. Instead all that had been done was to mobilize the Americans into building the greatest armed forces that had ever been assembled, and to develop the Atom bomb. No, he would get the Emperor's ear and tell him what really needed to be done. But first he'd have to get Astro on his side, or make sure that he couldn't interfere.