Hi all. It took me sa while but here it is. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Thanks for Narmonia Vita for doing the beta reading for this chapter and the previous one. Checking on them I saw I forgot to thank her on my previous two. I am sorry for that. I want to add that all the mistakes you may found in this story are mine.
To Atlantis Lux, thanks for the inspiration. Hopefully I will be around more periodically.
Note: This story is rated M. It contents intimate encounters between two females as well as other sexual content, strong language or violence. If you dislike, please don´t read.
Disclaimer: Sunrise owns Mai Hime and Mai Otome characters. Dune is owned by Frank Herbert legal heirs. I only own my imagination.
Tears of Warriors by Galadan
Chapter 9. Changes
"When you think to take determination of your fate into your own hands, that is the moment you can be crushed. Be cautious. Allow for surprises. When we create, there are always other forces at work."
Darwi Odrade, Chapterhouse: Dune.
Wallach IX, Garderobe´s Chapterhouse Planet
It was almost a month since they came back from Skáneland; she was laying on the bed and something wasn´t going well...at all. She thought that keeping her eyes closed would make it easier, but she was wrong. It was a lot worse. The taste in her mouth was wrong; the scent fulfilling her nose was wrong; the husky voice whispering on her ears was completely wrong; the hands running on her body and the very body she was holding felt wrong...all her senses were rebelling, telling her body that the woman kissing her and holding her wasn´t Ray.
Breaking the contact almost gently, Nao pushed her companion back to look at a young face, a young candidate for Otome. The woman was close to taking her test to become an Otome, and as many others, she was willing to comply to Garderobe´s directions about having different sexual experiences mainly if one of them was with the Garderobe´s 4th Column; however, for Juliet Nao Zhang, it was not the same this time.
"I am very sorry, Miya-san," and after a short pause and a very calculated sigh, she continued "Seems that our honorable Headmistress thinks that now is the perfect time for a meeting," Nao enforced the sudden interruption by tapping at her GEM and trying to ignore the slight sadness in the other´s face.
"Oh...yes, Nao Onee-sama, I...I am so sorry for keeping you away from your duties," the young woman managed to say while moving away, a bit embarrassed. Some girls looked for Nao in the past even when the redhead Otome was not exactly popular like Shizuru, she had this strong and purposeful personality paired, combined with a very seductive and confident behavior that made her the perfect imprinter. Of course, she enjoyed introducing the young Otomes and candidates for Otomes to the arts of seduction. However, since her arrival home she was not feeling like that anymore. She had lost the count of how many times she had to bring a nonexistent meeting with Uma Shamrock to avoid going too far with unwanted intercourses during the last weeks, although she was the one bringing them on to regain her former self. Nao wanted so bad to return at those times when she didn´t miss the smell of the sea, the cold breeze or the blue color... or Ray making love to her every night. Wallach IX was a dry world and some days Nao found herself missing Ray to the point of physical pain. And she felt outraged at that. She wanted to be free.
This time, Nao was still completely dressed; the young candidate with her was still trying to overcome the fact that Nao was an imprinter and her own nervousness to have time to undress the Column. Regularly, Nao took the initiative, but she wasn´t doing so lately, and she felt thankful for it this time. They were at the student´s cell and after a second call from her GEM, Nao hurriedly made her way to Shamrock´s office. For once, her excuse was not a lie.
When she arrived at Uma´s office, Nao found Shizuru sitting at the couch drinking tea as usual, and the Headmistress at her desk reading endless papers. Uma didn´t look up at her or invite her to sit at her desk´s chairs or on the couch. Shizuru didn´t say a word either. Nao was just standing at the center of the office, feeling completely ignored and wondering what was going on ; this was the treatment for a student, not for an Otome and definitely not for a Column.
Clearing her throat in the most polite way as she could, Nao tried to make her presence more evident, even giving a slightly curious sigh towards Shizuru just as Uma´s soft voice caught her attention.
"What´s the matter Meister Zhang? Are you too busy to hold still for even a minute?" After that sentence, Uma raised her head to fix Nao right where she was with the coldest gaze Nao had seen in the Headmistress before. "Is there someone waiting for you in your room?"
The last comment disconcerted Nao but she didn´t have enough time to think of a response because Uma Shamrock was standing up at her desk, exuding danger and keeping a steel gaze fixed on her. "In any case Meister Zhang, if someone is waiting for you, you will have to change your schedule."
Watching Uma slowly approaching her, all the traces were telling Nao about a predator ready to jump at its prey but she still managed to ask, "My schedule? I am not getting the idea Shamrock-san, I am afraid I am lost here."
"Oh, you definitely are. But we are going to fix that." Now Shamrock was standing in front of her within a distance that wasn´t politically correct at all; their bodies were almost touching and only Nao´s best effort avoid her to step back. She never stepped back but was disconcerted like hell.
"If you are going to sleep with every person in Wallach IX, the Garderobe´s Headmistress definitely has the priority Nao-san."
Nao couldn´t avoid the surprise to show at her face. "What?..."
With a soft movement, Uma Shamrock took Nao by the waist and pulled her closer until Nao stopped the Headmistress with both of her hands at the other woman's shoulders.
"I want you to show me how much of a good imprinter you are Nao-san, just call it... a post-examination. Maya Blythe claims that you will become the best imprinter in generations."
Finally gaining her control back, Nao pushed Uma gently but firmly, adding, "I don´t know what this is about Shamrock, but I thought that the truth served Garderobe better than these stupid games."
"No games at all. I am very serious." Uma conceded Nao a bit of space but still kept her grip on Nao's waist.
Shizuru was still seated on the couch succeeding to hide all the emotions that Uma´s actions were causing her. Even if she was not agreeing to her methods, she had to support the Headmistress. It was her duty as the Archmeister and it was her turn.
"Ara...Nao-san, after all the notices we have had about your recent ´activities' you don´t seem to be willing to take your chance with the Headmistress. Trust me; it is a very rare honor."
Nao was sure that she had fallen asleep somehow and this was a nightmare.
"I have never complained about you training the younger candidates or the novice Otomes but you look a bit out of control now and I want to be sure you are still a first class Imprinter." Uma pulled Nao close to her again. "So, use your best techniques to seduce me, Nao-san."
"I...I am not out of control!" Nao was now starting to panic. She was not seducing Uma Shamrock, not even if her life depended on it.
"Really? Then, it won´t be a problem to do as I say. An Imprinter, besides the imprinting abilities is perfectly able of seducing anyone. Anyone, not even a Mentat or a Master of Assassins can resist the full power of an Otome Imprinter for too long. So..."
Uma kept Nao firmly fastened but didn´t try to get closer or did any other movements. She was waiting. After several seconds of immobility with her mind racing, Nao found herself trapped. She didn´t have any arguments to resist against the Headmistress´ point but she wasn´t willing to have any physical contact with her either. Uma Shamrock was observing Nao closely, watching all of her inner turmoil. Uma knew she was buttonholing at the young Column but as with all her actions, she was doing this because it was necessary.
Finally reaching the end to find that there was no way to escape, her green eyes raised to find Uma´s red ones. There was no mercy in them but there was no satisfaction either. Just a purpose. This time Nao didn´t resist when Uma´s hand grabbed her face, pulling her slowly for a kiss.
Uma was not like the young Otomes; she wasn´t an Imprinter but was an experimented woman, in many fields. Her kiss was not the trembling and wobbly intent from an impressionable girl. Uma´s kiss was deep and confident, exploring Nao´s lips while her hands did the same with the slender body. However, despite the pleasant sensations, Nao´s body got tense, still resisting. She bore it but wasn´t able to respond Uma´s kiss back.
Finally Uma released Nao, breaking the kiss suddenly and walking back to her desk, sitting and grabbing some papers without looking at the overwhelmed Otome. Nao felt like the last leaf falling down a tree before winter. For the first time in her life, she didn´t know what to do and she stayed standing where she was. Keeping her gaze on the papers, Uma gave her sentence.
"Even though you are a Column, you will be under evaluation until further notice. Take some time order your thoughts Meister Zhang, if you can do such thing. In the meantime, you are temporarily relieved of all your duties as Column, as Sensei and as Trainer. You won´t be given with any imprinting mission during the same period either. I will request you to suspend any kind of physical interaction with the candidates." With the last sentence, Uma looked back at the Otome. "That is all for now Meister Zhang. You can dismiss now."
"Wait, Shamrock... this is..."
"Dismiss, Meister Zhang." Uma said interrupting Nao and looking back at her papers.
Even Nao knew when it was pointless to object Uma. Or when it was too dangerous.
After Nao left the room, Shizuru finally stood up, approaching Uma´s desk. The Headmistress raised her eyes to watch her protégé looking at her intensely.
"Isn´t the Headmistress´s plan a bit extreme?"
"Unfortunately we don´t have time for subtleties, Shizuru. Besides, Nao-san is not exactly the most cooperative of persons. She is too clever, too stubborn, and too intense; no, we need to get serious with her. You know, for us at Garderobe, if it is not broken then... break it." At Uma´s single gesture, the young Fifth Column, Sara Gallagher and the Garderobe´s Head Imprinter, Maya Blythe showed up from the shadows where they were waiting behind Shizuru.
"Meister Gallagher, you have your orders."
Skaneland, Castle Skanien.
"You are an idiot."
It was close to sunset and Ray was at the cliff looking out to the sea, a bit lost in her thoughts when a sudden comment behind her back made her turn to see a very serious and frowning Chie looking at her.
"And I deserved that kind of comment because...?" Ray said, knowing she will have to hear a sermon. However, she was going to be surprised.
Arms crossed over her chest, Chie just told her, "Natsuki is looking for you."
"That´s why I am an idiot?"
"No, if Natsuki knows why you are an idiot she will kill you. Now let´s go...Grandfather and Lady Saeko are with her, waiting for us... and next time you want to enjoy your breathtaking landscape alone and away from the Castle turn your damn communicator on at least."
When Ray and Chie finally arrived to Haakon´s private studio, they also found Nina with them. According to Chie, Haakon was the one convoking this meeting, and it was kind of mysterious for everyone—for all the Otomes of the Kruger House and the Countess.
Haakon invited the last two to get in and get comfortable. The four young women there were his only relatives; even then, only Natsuki and Ray were his direct granddaughters. Haakon had two sons, and he had to lived out both of them; Chie and Nina were the granddaughters of Haakon´s brother. However, for him, they were all family.
"We are all set, Grandfather." Natsuki said after a slight glare at Ray and Chie for taking too long to get there.
"I asked everybody to come here because it was time for us to get ready for tough times. Maybe this will be the last time that we could be together like this as a family."
Natsuki frowned at Haakon´s asseveration but before she could say a word, Saeko´s hand on hers made her stop and wait.
"Natsuki, soon you will leave Skáneland for the first time in your life. There are some things you have to know before that."
None of the women in the room spoke. Whatever Haakon was trying to say, it was important and it wasn´t easy for him.
"Do you know, my dears, what´s the most valued possession of this Empire?" All of them were seated in circle; the night was falling quickly; and the yellow light from the old light balls, which Natsuki´s grandfather loved were creating a quiet and warm atmosphere that surrounded them.
"Well, I would say it is Cruiser Control; the Empire charges every noble House with a good amount of money for transportation; and we need it for all the economic activities, so they have everybody trapped." Natsuki ventured; she used to discuss several political subjects with her father and noticed now how much she missed that since he died.
"Cruiser control...it´s important of course. The Viola House had the concession to build Cruisers and the last Krasnikov Cruiser designed by Aylen Viola, Shizuru´s father, is still the best one on its class. The best one that exists I would dare say. After the attack on Kansai, a couple of noble Houses borrowed ´for a while' the Cruiser's construction operations, but none of them could equal to the Viola´s technology skills. However, that is not the most important thing. Tell me, where is the real meaning of all those magnificent cruisers for the Empire?"
"At the Portal...of course, the Cruisers just by themselves are useless, unless you can move through hundreds or thousands of light-years fast." Natsuki realized with enthusiasm, it was in fact very obvious, but they were so used to the portal that sometimes they forgot its existence.
"And do you know how the portal works?" Her grandfather was full of questions tonight. Natsuki knew he wanted her to see something, but she would have preferred he could just tell her straight ahead instead of using all of these questions and answers quiz.
"Of course, that´s very old technology, Grandfather...the traversable wormholes were discovered a longtime ago." Natsuki felt very confident, but she was starting to worry because of her mother and cousin's silence. They weren´t commenting on anything, and they all had a cautious look on their faces.
"Yes, the wormholes have always existed, but the knowledge on how to use them is a completely different matter. The Portal itself is the gate to get into the wormholes, to get in and out actually. PMT, Portal Materializing Technology, is the key to letting us open those gates. There are hundreds of gates disseminated through the whole Empire that allows us to travel...and communicate. The hyperspace allows us not only physical transportation but also the ability connect massive amounts of digital information. And the key to everything is the PMT. Most people know about the Portal; we call it that all the time. But very few people know about the key. Do you know why?"
"Since you asked all of us to be here, but you didn´t ask Armbrust, I will say that it has something to do with Garderobe," she said more by following a hunch.
With an appreciatively look at her granddaughter, Haakon admitted, "It has everything to do with Garderobe, my dear. The Portal Materializing Technology, the key for using the Empire Portal system as well as all the communications at the hyperspace level are handled by the very same system that Otomes use to materialize, the Yggdrasil System...and that, was the cause of the attack at the Viola Planet 20 years ago and most certainly, the reason of the attack we suffered several weeks ago."
"What!? But that is Garderobe´s technology! Secret technology I would say! How do you know about it?"
Haakon didn´t respond; he only smiled quietly at his daughter in law. Natsuki was alternatively staring at Haakon and Saeko until her mother decided to speak.
"Natsuki. It seems that your grandfather was keeping his own set of secrets to himself." Saeko was surprised. Nobody outside Garderobe could know how their systems really worked and she was sure what Haakon said wasn´t the only he thing knew about.
"Have you heard of the phrase that the best and safest way to hide something is to hide it in front of everyone? Well, our friends from Garderobe are masters in doing so." Haakon was smiling; amused to see Saeko´s annoyance at his comment, living with those smart-ass women had its rewards sometimes.
"But why did Garderobe accepted to give the Portal Control to the Empire?! The Imperial House is only using it for their own selfish benefit; it something just too important."
"Not exactly. I know the reason but since concerns to Garderobe, I will let your mother explain it to you."
Natsuki looked back at her mother, noting her cousins had a somewhat somber look. The young Otomes knew that talking about those issues was almost an act of treason to Garderobe´s codes. Only Otomes were allowed to certain knowledge, and they swore to protect its confidentiality; however it was very obvious their Grandfather already knew about it. Internally their inner voices were full of doubt, but they let Saeko decided what to do. Only one shared look between Chie, Ray, and Nina was enough to know that they will support Saeko with whatever path she will decide to take. And it took Saeko only one gaze back towards them to know that she counted on them.
It took Saeko almost a minute but when she started talking to Natsuki, Haakon understood why his son loved that woman so much. She had to make the final decision between Garderobe and her family...and she chose her family.
"The Empire doesn´t control the PMT, Natsuki. The Yggdrasil System controls itself and administers the slaves systems for all kinds of communications and transportation and… the Otome´s materializing system. The Empire only has the ´economic' control of Portal passes. A concession, if you want to see it that way. That was the price Garderobe had to pay after the Dark Ages to get its full independence."
Remembering what Shizuru told her about those times, Natsuki asked almost angrily, "All the Otomes who died during the Dark Ages weren´t enough?"
Ignoring Natsuki´s comment since there was no possible answer to that, Saeko added, "During those days, the mere fact of master-free Otomes was unthinkable and unbearable for many people. Beyond that, the idea of one single group controlling such an amount of power and knowledge as Garderobe without any way to restrain it was...well, and still is today, unacceptable."
During a couple of hours, Natsuki tried to absorb all the information her mother was giving her, with Ray, Chie, and Nina adding some additional remarks to help her to understand. The Yggdrasil System that was set in place after the Dark Ages had three main COREs instead of one like the old Fumi system, as well as several nodes that allowed every Otome in the Empire to materialize anywhere. Not only that, the Yggdrasil System opened the Portals and handled thousands of yottabytes of digital information through the hyperspace. It was truly Garderobe´s most powerful technology but it was restricted by Garderobe on behalf of the Empire.
Haakon remained silent the whole time but in the end, the final question, the one he feared since several years ago, came from Natsuki.
"The people attacking Shizuru´s planet were looking for those COREs, right?" The question was for Saeko, but Haakon knew that he had a debt with her granddaughter to pay, so he was the one who answered.
"The Kruger family together with the Viola family is one of the oldest ones of the Empire, only surpassed by the Windbloom family in its role as a keeper and a protector of the ancient technology from Earth. The ancient roots of our family come from Otome heritage, Natsuki. Kyler´s mother...my wife, my mother, in few words, all the feminine line of our family had been Otomes, Natsuki."
Haakon had a slight veil of sorrow across his face when he said, "We have paid a high price for it. Yes, what the attackers were looking for 20 years ago in Kansai was one of the COREs. The three of them are independent but identical and guarantee the perfect networking of the Otome system. There are hundreds, I don´t know, maybe thousands of subCOREs, but those three are the main keys. The three families, Kruger, Viola, and Windbloom have been in charge of one of the COREs during the several centuries the Yggdrasil System has existed. The attack came when we transferred the CORE to the Violas for their turn."
"You are the first woman in the family that hasn´t formally been trained to become an Otome, Natsuki, and the reason is that after the attack on Kansai your father decided that our fate cannot depend on anyone else but us. He wanted you to be able to freely make your own decisions without that burden on your back."
That was too much for Natsuki and asked alternatively to Saeko instead of Haakon, "How come you've never told me? Why did my father never tell me?"
"Soon my dear, you will learn that there is a right time for everything." Haakon eyes were locked with Natsuki´s while saying it but the break the contact to look at his other granddaughters as well. "We all have a role to play here. Nobody, not even your cousins knew the whole truth Natsuki."
Everyone remained silent after Haakon´s words. Natsuki was a bit lost in her thoughts looking at the floor when she felt a soft touch at her shoulder. It was Chie looking at her. Without any word, her cousin just grabbed her in hug.
"Damn…what the hell are you doing!?" Natsuki felt the blush at her face and tried to get free but Chie only grabbed stronger.
"I am just happy you are my cousin, Natsuki-chan." Chie said finally releasing her. Natsuki was going to protest but Chie´s slightly wet eyes stopped her. Ray and Nina also got closet while Chie was hugging her and were now touching her shoulders as well.
Natsuki was speechless. Haakon knew very well what that meant. "Ok, my girls, we have a lot to do before you leave."
When Natsuki and her cousins left Haakon studio, they finally had a plan for the future…as a family.
As Haakon said, though times were coming and now, Natsuki was more aware than ever about the danger they will face. The four young women spent some time together in the Castle´s main balcony watching the sea under the night, knowing that maybe a long time will pass before they could see it again.
"You will like Wallach IX, Natsuki-chan." Chie knew she was tempting her luck with that but she won´t be able to tease her younger cousin in a while so she had to take advantage now.
"Chie…." Despite the darkness all could see the dangerous glare at Natsuki´s eyes.
"Come on, Chie…Skáneland is a lot more landscaping than Wallach IX." Ray was trying to move the conversation to safe terrain for all of them. She knew that Natsuki loved the sea and cold weather and Wallach was nothing like that.
"Yes…maybe but there is certain stunning natural beauty Skáneland has a lack of." Chie continued.
A bit angry to have her home planet compared with Garderobe´s chapter house, Natsuki asked harshly. "What could be that?"
"Shizuru-san."
Even at the dark, all of them could see Natsuki blushing furiously.
"HEY…."
Ray and Nina joined Chie laughing at Natsuki´s face of embarrassment. Despite being teased mercilessly, that night, Natsuki felt very, very close to her cousins and she was thankful for that. A bit after, they decided that Saeko would be the only Otome that would remain at Skáneland. All the others would have to leave. It was time to stop waiting and take the offensive
At Haakon´s studio, Saeko was standing in the middle of the room, looking at Haakon´s back who was looking at the dark sea through the window. Since the girls left, they hadn´t said a word.
"Will you tell me or not?" was Saeko´s only comment accepting that Haakon was not going to talk first.
"The only thing I will say is that you are not the only Otome that really loved her man."
"Well, why now?."
"It´s pretty obvious that we don´t have much more time. I no longer have pending debts with her, and you´d better do the same, Lady Saeko." With that said, Haakon turned to see his beautiful daughter in law with a sad smile in his face.
"Knowing too much maybe dangerous Haakon." All Saeko´s inner voices were protesting in alarm at his comment, "There is no way Haakon could know about the breeding program..." she thought with concern but Haakon´s next words frightened her the most.
"Oh, don´t worry Saeko-san...either way I am not going to live that much beyond now. A father should never survive his sons, you know? It is just, too sad."
Horus, Scientific Guild Chapterhouse Planet (Independent Scientific Arm of Garderobe)
Yohko was exultant. For the first time during the process of the entire project she felt one hundred percent confident of their success; it was just a matter of time and patience. Six months, they needed only six more months.
She barely could restrain herself from calling Uma Shamrock. It was better to wait until she had all the latest results, and of course, it was better to use the secured channel; they couldn´t risk any intruders spying on what they were doing.
On Yohko´s screen, a very detailed bioscanning showed a three month fetus inside its mother, the one they had to protect at any cost.
Skaneland, Castle Skanien.
It was Natsuki´s last night in Skaneland. The Kruger group visiting Wallach IX was big since they were traveling with their prisoners. After the visit to Garderobe, they will split into two groups. Natsuki, Ray, and Reito will stay a bit longer at Wallach, while Chie, Nina and Armbrust will head to Aasgard to meet with the Imperial Counselor and deliver the prisoners for judgment. At Skáneland, Saeko, Haakon and Sakomizu will stay in charge to keep everything in place with Mikoto and Akira´s help.
The night before departure, Saeko was struggling between the claims of her inner voices about the cost of betraying Garderobe, her own sense of duty towards Garderobe, and her love for Natsuki. "What I could tell Natsuki? You are part of a genetic program to get...what? A dream, a legend, an ancient power?" Maybe she had no option but obey Garderobe´s commands this time but Natsuki wasn´t an Otome, she could chose her own path.
Haakon was right; she should at least tell her something before their departure and take previsions for the future.
Natsuki was in her room getting ready for travel and trying to ease her anxiety; just thinking she was going to meet Shizuru again put a hole in her stomach, an oppression in her lower belly, something close to ache in her chest and a general warmness in her body.
"Please, I can´t get sick now!" was Natsuki´s silent prayer when a ring announced a visitor outside her room. And she was very surprised when opened the door and found her mother. That reminded her the last time she opened the door and found her mother…when she was in Shizuru´s room a month ago. They didn´t talk about the incident, and she was hoping they wouldn't…but Saeko had other plans.
"Good evening, dear…can I come in?" Natsuki was doubly surprised, first by Saeko´s warm tone and second of her attitude. Saeko was not the kind of person to ask for permission of any kind, but now she was really waiting for Natsuki´s approval.
"Of course, mother. Please…" Natsuki moved to let Saeko in her room.
"So, how do you feel about your trip?" Saeko asked smiling at her daughter.
"Fine…I am very sure everything will be just right with you, grandfather, and Sakomizu taking care of Skáneland,."
"Oh, I am glad you trust us," Saeko smiled broadened. "But I was meaning the other part of your trip."
"T—The… other…part…?" Natsuki stammered a bit under the green gaze of her mother, feeling as if Saeko could read on her very deep interior…and feeling guilty for what was on her thoughts.
"Yes… you will see Shizuru again."
Natsuki blushed at the comment but after a while, a fact made its way to her mind. Her mother said ´Shizuru´. No Meister Viola, not Garderobe´s Archmeister, Saeko said ´Shizuru´.
"I…" Natsuki was speechless.
Commiserating her daughter, Saeko motioned her to sit by her side and once the young Countess was by her side, looking at her with eyes so similar to her own, nervous but not ashamed, Saeko started.
"Otomes are not supposed to fall under their raw emotions Natsuki…love, hate, passion; any extreme emotion should be treated with extreme carefulness because it threatens our very existence…any one of them, makes us vulnerable." Saeko was looking at Natsuki´s reaction in her words. "However, from all of them, love is what costs us the most."
"I loved your father Natsuki. Several people...close and important people to him, advised him not to marry me. I was not a noble born woman. He could take me as her concubine; I could give him heirs, and he could still marry a powerful heiress of any other Noble house. However, unhearing everything and everyone, he decided to marry me." Saeko avoided to tell Natsuki that her meeting with Kyler was arranged since several years before any one of them was even born.
"You are too much like him. I know that in the end you will do what you truly and heartily believe is the best. Your father wanted that you could be able to do that, that you could have your free will as intact as possible." Making a short pause, Saeko took Natsuki´s hand before saying, "Whatever decision you make, I will keep loving you; just keep in mind that there are a lot more important things on the balance than love. The first one is the Kruger House future and the second, is Shizuru´s future. Something is telling me that you will have both of them in your hands in the end."
Aasgard, Imperial Capital, Hazakura House Home Planet.
Sakura was having very busy days since she found her sister with Ambassador Marguerite. She split her time between her duties as Chief of the imperial Otomes, kept a discreet but careful vigilance towards the Ambassador Marguerite including trying to understand Tomoe´s plan with Ayane, monitoring Ayane´s activities before her sister could do something irremediable, and spending more time by her brother's side. Sakura was unpleasantly surprised, Tomoe was an outstanding manipulator. But the saddest thing she found out was that Anri did not have any one he could really trust...not even their sister Ayane or their cousin and Imperial Counselor, Jin Hazakura. From all of them, Jin was the worst influence for her brother, flattering him, and not doing the real job of a counselor, Jin was leading Anri to the wrong decisions. It took Sakura less than a couple of days to realize that Jin has a secret agenda of his own and that the well being of the Hazakura House was not on the list.
Although Sakura loved Anri a lot it was obvious for her that during the way he had lost the real path to being an Emperor. Somewhat, she could not blame him, even with her Otome training and her inner memories, Sakura couldn´t see it either. It was necessary to hear her own twin sister refer her brother almost with hate that she started looking around in a different way. She only hoped that it was not too late.
During her vigilant time over Tomoe she found that Tomoe was keeping communications with someone outside of Aasgard and that her sister was Tomoe´s strong support. Ayane was not only an Imperial Otome; she was part of the royal family. There was no place in the Imperial Palace or in the military facilities or in the confidential files that she could not access. Only Sakura´s personal files were out of her reach and that was only because Sakura was the most brilliant student of the Intelligence and Counter-Intelligence Strategies in Yukariko Steinberg's course at Garderobe, and the first lesson from Yukariko to her students, given with most tender and soft voice and innocent eyes was "If it concerns your information...shoot first, ask later."
Sakura was thinking in the worst case scenario where everything that any royal member knew; Tomoe already knew it too. So, she had to make sure she knew more than her. Very, very carefully since the only one with skills closest enough to hers was Ayane, Sakura initiated a digital surveillance on Tomoe´s and Jin´s activities. Tomoe was still a dead end surely thanks to Ayane, but Jin didn´t have that first class support. She caught a very interesting thread and was going to follow until the end, and that thread had a name: Baron Nagi D´Artai.
During the night, Sakura invested hours researching about him, his collaborators, his family, and his history, even those facts that she already knew from her studies at Garderobe or coming from her inner memories. Everything. And everything in his case wasn´t really much. There was a lot related to his family but very few about him. Either the man was innocuous, something that she doubted just by looking at his picture, or he was even more dangerous than the venomous Ambassador Marguerite.
During several minutes, seated alone in the darkness of her room just illuminated by the blue light of her holographic terminal, Sakura observed one by one the dozen of holographic pictures she selected about him, over and over again, taking more time on the same sequence every round until she gave up and repeat it countless times until finally ended up staring at the last frame.
The sequence was showing a very young Nagi, looking fragile and ethereal on the day he became Baron, with the Artai Army saluting and presenting weapons at him. Nagi was standing straight on ground level, as was the tradition of Artai during successions; while all the soldiers walked to surround him. The generals with Sergay Wang in first place, stopped in front on him, inclining their heads and putting a knee on the ground followed by hundreds of military men on precise synchronization like ripples caused by a stone thrown in a pond. At the last frame, Nagi was immobile at the center of endless rows of kneeled down warriors.
Since the first time she watched the holographic sequence, an old reminiscence was making its way to Sakura´s consciousness while she got captivated by Nagi´s posture and face. Not yet a man, no longer a child, his red eyes showing intelligence and understanding beyond his age; he was just there being given with a powerful army and taking it, with no fear or happiness, just with serene confidence and almost sadness. Sakura felt thrilled at the scene where he looked so lonely; he looked like a terrible and beautiful angel.
With a sudden shudder on her back, Sakura realized where she saw a posture and a gesture like his. It was an ancient religious representation on the Garderobe´s digital database about ancient Earth cultures. It was representing the entity called Saint Gabriel, the Angel of Death, when his terrible task of punishing sinners was given to him... "go among men and excite them against one another."
Aries Stellar Space, Unknown Location.
The spacecraft deflected a bit from its original path to the Portal; it had the Artai House emblem on the sides; a very elegant dark griffin entangled with a long two headed serpent; the latter was given to the Artai House during the time they were the first Noble House chosen to govern the Empire, as an omen for permanency. Nagi could not avoid thinking that permanency was one of the most fragile illusions of the human life, but most of people never realized it. They were always looking for the eternal... love, comfort, power, even chaos like those Schwartz fanatics he was going to meet soon.
His visit to the Armitage House planet was a rounded success in many ways not the less important to give him the best excuse for this other meeting. The Archduchess Armitage was easily headed exactly where he wanted her, not the same as her wife. The young Yukino was shy but smart, quiet but effective. Nagi also noted a suspicious prudence from her. He will do better on keeping an eye on her.
They were at the specified location and from the dark space, a smaller spaceship deactivated its visibility filter so they were able to make optical contact even when their radar caught its presence a couple of minutes ago. Still with enough time to shoot but maybe not enough to defend if they´ll decide to shoot first. That was the reason of Sergay´s discomfort with this meeting. Nagi was the Baron, still too young to have heirs and with no other direct family. It was definitely a dangerous scenario for his House. But a life ´worth living' required a bit of strong emotions and high bets.
Once the two spaceships were at the appropriate distance; the intercommunication channels were released for their occupants to meet.
Nagi walked escorted only by Sergay to the meeting capsule where a tall blond man was already waiting for them.
"Very nice to meet you, Baron D´Artai," the blond man greeted to Nagi. They have had several secret communications since Kazuya thought he was recruiting Nagi for a conspiracy; but this was the very first time they've met in person and considering what was coming, maybe this will be the only time they will do so.
"I am pleased to finally meet you, Mr. Smith," Nagi greeted him as well with a smile, his red eyes examining and measuring the man in front on him. Nothing could be read from the man's face. He was a cold and completely unreadable man.
"I understand that you don´t have too much time, Baron D´Artai, so I will be brief. We have all the pieces together; however based on the very precise and opportune information you provided to us, we consider that waiting will make us lose a strategic opportunity and may be, in the end, too dangerous. I have information that a commission from Kruger House will take our captured partners to the Imperial Capital."
"Oh, really? I am really sorry to hear that your colleagues have survived that long, and I understand that you may not be not in position to follow my advice." Nagi said inclining his head and with a mask of disappointment. He provided Schwartz' men with some vague reports about certain Ambassador and certain Prince with advice to hold onto the plans until more favorable times. Nagi knew that Schwartz had their own ways to corroborate information and that they once they did so, it will lead them to accelerate their plans instead of postpone them.
"WE are not in a position to wait, Dear Baron. We will appreciate if we can count on your support on the terms we talked at the beginning." Smith hadn´t changed positions since the meeting had started. He was standing straight, taking his hands in front of him almost in a perfect steady military position.
"That will require me to run some additional errands, Mr. Smith, I am sure you understand." Nagi was ready at anytime but he just liked to play with them; he was always stretching the limits of human nature, and despite all their efforts to prove the opposite, Schwartz' men needed to be reminded that they were still humans.
System Unknown – Experimental Space Platform Höllenjunge-Drei, Schwartz Main Base
During centuries they've laid in the darkness, waiting and getting ready for the rising.
Very aware of the meeting that was happening between one of them and one of the conspirators, twelve blond men were seated at a big meeting table. The room where they were meeting was darkened since they were a lot more sensitive to physical stimulus than regular humans. Any casual observer looking at them would be thrilled since the twelve of them were identical.
"S-9th is now meeting with the Artai leader. Soon we will be able to set our plan in motion and move all the pieces."
"How many modified Cruisers we were able to get in the end?" The question was made by S-13. Schwartz technology may have not advanced in some technical issues but they didn´t need it. Their main interests were genetic and nanobiology manipulation. Everything that was forbidden or banned in the Empire was something they did. And it was S-1's turn to answer.
"120, as planned. We will split into four groups, for our four targets. After that, the Artai and Kazuya Houses will get in for the final act. This time we will not make the same mistake. 2,000 years ago, our target was the wrong one. The real power wasn´t in the Empire and we were corrupted. We lost a lot but now it will be different. Our ´friends' may think we are doing the dirty job while they take advantage but they are very mistaken. We will go for the real reward."
"Garderobe," was the common word whispered simultaneously by the other eleven men with smiling faces.
Wallach IX, Garderobe´s Chapterhouse, Space Port
It was the first time in the last 30 years since an official visit from the Kruger House was hosted on Wallach IX. Many advanced students and candidates for Otomes were anxious to know the new Countess Kruger and her entourage. The Kruger House was known for being ascetic, proud, inaccessible but also honorable, loyal and brave. They weren´t in the group of the richest noble families as the Viola House once was but they had several planets to take care for different production activities that allowed them to be wealthy enough; despite that they weren´t fancy or ostentatious; for many men and women, the Krugers were the ideal prospects for a good marriage.
Shizuru, keeping her perfect mask while walking aside Uma, was internally trying to ease her heartbeat. Soon she will see Natsuki again. They had several pending issues between them…closing her eyes briefly, she let the anxiety out with a sigh while a little shiver was running on her back. "Archmeister Viola shouldn´t be this nervous by seeing a young woman!...Quiet yourself Shizuru." She was not sure if the voice was her own or one of her countless inner voices.
Uma Shamrock, as the Garderobe Headmistress and Column I was leading the welcoming group, flanked by the other Columns ordered by rank. Since they came back from Skáneland, she was thinking that some day she should ask Saeko to come back to Wallach IX. If the results of Yohko´s project were as they've expected, soon Garderobe will had its Five Columns at Wallach IX together again since many centuries. And Garderobe will get the place that they deserved in the order of the Empire. But by now, in the absence of Saeko, Shizuru was at her right as 2nd Column and Juliet Nao Zhang as 4th Column was at her left; Sara Gallagher as 5th Column, was at Nao´s left as well. No matter what, at least three columns should always be based on Garderobe in permanent residence despite their multiple assignments or missions. During the last centuries due the Garderobe´s Breeding program, two Columns were designated to a Noble Houses, like Saeko Kruger and Airlie Viola in the past generation; however not any Noble House could have more than one Column living permanently with them.
From the distance, the Kruger group was approaching with Natsuki in the front escorted by her cousins, Reito and Armbrust. The first thing Natsuki did when they descended from the spaceship was look for Shizuru's figure and felt relieved when found she found her at the first line of reception. She didn´t know, but a smile showed at her face since that very moment.
Shizuru by her own had to make her best effort to keep still and serene or she was sure Uma Shamrock will hear her heartbeat.
Natsuki was amazed at Wallach IX since the moment they've left the Portal. Garderobe´s world was the complete opposite of Skáneland. Natsuki´s native planet was cold, not only in the weather but also in the colors of the landscape; humid, with endless water extensions and sharp with cliffs and snow covered mountains. Wallach IX, looked like an agate gem from space, mixing the color of clay with green. Once there, Wallach was a lot dryer than Skáneland but it was not arid. It had a warm and gentle weather and was full of warm colors, yellow light and undulating terrain. Even the vegetation was gentle, interlaced with the terrain. Natsuki was fascinated by looking at the surroundings of Shizuru´s foster home.
The second thing that surprised Natsuki was the amount of women at Garderobe´s main Headquarters. Thanks to her cousins explanations, she knew which one were Otomes, candidates for Otome or advanced students. Several women were advanced students but Garderobe had the greatest amount of Otomes in the Empire. Even if all the noble houses put together all their Otomes, they would not have as many Otomes as Natsuki was counting in front of her.
Uma Shamrock gave the welcome, inviting them to have some rest before the dinner. Natsuki was still a bit shy having some many eyes staring at her without any consideration. The rumors about the woman that caught Shizuru´s attention was now confirmed just by looking at Countess Kruger´s beauty.
"Ara…hopefully Garderobe's women are not intimidating Natsuki," was Shizuru´s comment looking at Natsuki's discomfort with keen eyes.
"Of course not!... they are the ones behaving inappropriately. I though Garderobe taught better manners to their Otomes."
"They are not Otomes yet, Countess. You will meet with the most important Otomes in the universe here. Please let me introduce you." Uma pointed out to Natsuki, smiling.
"You already know Meisters Viola and Zhang but you didn´t have the chance to meet Meister Gallagher, the Fifth Column." Shizuru gave Natsuki a warm smile and Nao only gave a serious look with a very slight head inclination. Nao wasn´t in the mood to tease or confront Natsuki; she was too busy trying to keep her heart inside her chest since the very first second she met Ray´s gaze.
"Shizuru-san, please take the Countess to the rooms we've assigned to her and give her a tour of the surroundings since this is her first time here. We will make sure you will enjoy your stay with us, Countess Kruger." Uma Shamrock gave a glance of complicity towards Shizuru and Natsuki felt the blush growing to her face. "Damn women…" There was nothing Natsuki could do; she was on their territory this time.
In front of everybody Shizuru, took Natsuki gently by the arm causing dozens of surprise expressions and discrete squeals from the audience. "Please my dear Countess, let me lead the way."
While Shizuru was taking a blushed Natsuki away, Uma Shamrock kept giving instructions to the others.
"Meister Gallagher, you already know Meister Jagger. Since Countess Kruger's designation, she is the Chief Otome at the Kruger House, work together with her during their stay and please make sure she has everything she needs."
"It will be my pleasure, Headmistress… Ray! That´s very good news and I am very happy to see you back here…even it is for a short while. It has been a long time… a very long time," saying that Sara grabbed and pulled Ray away from the Otome Kruger group. Ray was a bit disconcerted; she was sure Natsuki would be the only one to get special attention from the Headmistress.
"I heard a lot of what you did during the incident at Skáneland, Ray. You were really heroic and I am sure that a lot of students will be bugging you and your cousins…and maybe, some won´t be students! Of course, your cousin Natsuki will be safe since it's very obvious who has her attention…but you, well, don´t worry, I can always take care of you!"
Ray was speechless; she was always reserved during her time at Garderobe and Sara was one of her very few friends even when she was younger than her. Natsuki could have been with the same generation with Sara if she had attended Garderobe. But what had Ray more disconcerted was that Sara was regularly…more reserved, a lot more reserved and now, she seemed almost excited. Ray who just noticed that some girls were pointing at her, had eyes only for Nao since they left their spaceship. Now, Ray didn´t even have the chance to give one last look towards the redhead Otome because Sara was pulling her away, literally holding her right arm, smiling and talking animatedly.
"…..ng,…Meister Zhang, did you hear me?" Uma´s warm tone with Natsuki and Ray was gone and the gelid one was back. Nao felt short of breath when she saw Sara literally hung up on Ray´s arm. Something heavier than a ton was setting in her chest just by looking them walk away; Ray didn´t look at her and Uma Shamrock wanted her attention!
"Yes…Headmistress, I will take care of them. Chie, Nina, come with me, I…"
"No, Meister Zhang. You misunderstood me…I was saying that I had something to talk with Meisters Hallard and Wang and I will take care of their accommodations myself after that. Please take care of Kanzaki-san and Kruger-san." Uma Shamrock ended signaling Reito and Armbrust.
Nao felt outraged. Men were not allowed inside Garderobe´s main building. They were making an exception this time as a courtesy to Natsuki but an Otome should be accompanying them at all times. And Uma Shamrock had just decided that she will be the one on charge of them. Out of all the Otomes at Garderobe, Uma had to choose her.
At the distance, Nao could hear Sara´s laugh. Sara was laughing with Ray. Driving her nails into her palms, Nao looked at Reito and Armbrust with eyes like sharp knives and both men had a little shiver on their backs. They were not so sure why but their preservation instincts were saying that woman was dangerous.
Nao´s tone was for once, colder than Uma´s when ask them, "Kanzaki-san, Kruger-san, will you follow me…please?"
Thanks for reading.