Chapter 51

Kamo clasped his hands behind his back as they walked, she could tell he was looking for the right word to say from his deep concentration- After a short while of strolling down the path without any conversation through the immaculate softly lit gardens of the conference venue Kamo finally broke his silence looking straight ahead at the monument in the centre of the gardens. "What did you think of the announcement today?"

"In some ways I'm surprise, yet I'm not…things are bound to change eventually Kamo. Nothing ever stays the same." She responded, her thoughts turning more to her relationship with Ken and how different is now compared to the first time they were together. They needed the time she realized to mature as people, and to become more worthy of each other, than it being one sided like she felt it was before. Before she never truly felt worthy of him, and now she felt like his equal. Pushing her thoughts aside she focused on her conversation with Kamo.

Kamo shook his head solemnly, "I know, but this is different… this is radical. I doubt Dr Nambu would have allowed them to move this fast if he was still here. The risks they're about to take…" His response to all of this surprised her- usually he was very supportive of anything the ISO did. "They planned this for years- there are ships ready to go now. That's why they can launch soon, but the thing is…they'll want Ken to be a leader, even if it's not as Gatchaman…he's a valuable commodity to the military." He looked at her sharply. "And I doubt they'll include you, I heard talk from high up that they see his relationship with the former Swan as an inconvenience to their ideals and plans…I just want to warn you about that Jun…They do plan to make you an offer, but it's to keep you away from him. I know they see you as a distraction."

Jun drew in a deep infuriated breath- something's never change. "Why? Because we love each other? How is that any of their business?"

"He's still considered an asset because of devoted he's been to duty in the past, the new crowd aren't worried he almost died, they're concern is what he can still do for them." Kamo warned. "I know, Jun, you don't have to take it out on me, I see you being just as valuable. But they don't care about my opinion."

"I see…I have to talk to Ken about this Kamo…" Jun felt stumped by that idea, she didn't know how it would come out if she did. Would it just sound like a whisper from the past, Jun trying to keep him from fore filling his duty like he felt she would have if they got involved during the first war?

"Tell me about the offer they plan to present to me." Jun stopped walking and folded her arms and listened. Kamo sighed and began talking.

They plan to offer her a five year contract on another planet. She wouldn't see him in that time due to Ken being based on Riga. Their contracts would include them staying put in their bases…or outer missions that wouldn't enable them to cross paths in that time. Kamo cut to the truth of what the official contracts would put into the fine print.

Jun knew it would mean the end of their relationship, how could it survive that kind of absence, they'd grow apart…"They've given this some thought…but Kamo I don't get it why am I such a threat?" Jun asked, hurt that they thought so little of her.

Kamo pulled a face. "Because any relationship for Ken outside of duty has always been considered a threat…Dr Nambu, had an old fashioned view of it that's why he for bayed any of you to have romantic relationships while on the team. The military just see it as something that will get in the way- Ken might not take his usual risks with you in his life. Or heaven forbid you fall pregnant."

Jun flinched, how much did Kamo know she thought. "That would be an inconvience wouldn't it. What would they expect me to do if that did happen?"

Kamo's face had never been more serious when he answered her. "Jun…let me put it this way…they'd never let you keep a baby on a base…you'd be forced to give it up…or leave…how knows but it wouldn't be good for either of you."

Her bottom lip trembled from the painful memories of what her duty had asked of her do. They had been down that path before, and she couldn't go through that pain again.

"So, you're not agreeing with them then." She said studying his face, trying to block the images of being on some faraway planet with her child being taken by force out of her arms and no one to stop it from happening in a place under tight military rule.

Kamo didn't look happy either- it was like he was reading her mind. "No, I'm not, but either way Jun, they plan for you to be out of his life, they have no real use for the Swan, Swallow or the Owl."

"But the Condor and the Eagle?" She quizzed, and she thought about Jason and what they would offer Joe? Surely he'd turn it down rather than take risks with his young son. Especially since the military had this idea about family being an inconvenience.

"Joe's a cyborg, that's useful, Ken has an implant that will improve the longer it's in his brain- his muscles will tone over time to be stronger than before. The research and tests that have been conducted are showing his current lapse is only temporary while it's helping his body repair tissue."

Jun knew about the results of the tests they'd been conducting. What Kamo said was true.

"So what you're saying either way we lose." Her voice went quiet and she turned away from him to hide her sorrow. "We both know Ken will go if they tell it's for the safety of the people of Earth and no one else can do the job like he can."

"I'm sorry Jun, I know that too. The thing is what are you going to do?" Tears stung her eyes- she felt his hand on her shoulder.

"I'm not his keeper Kamo- I won't go to another planet if my heart isn't in it just to satisfy the military. I can't do it…I wanted this peace to create a life on Earth…and a family." She confessed her earlier thinking of being more adventurous dissolved away, with the truth slapping her hard in the face. She thought being part of the Science Ninja Team held them at bay for a long time when it came to them forming a relationship, but this felt much worse. This felt far more controlled.

"They don't have the same invested interest in us do they…this new federation." Jun said softly. "To them…we're not even looked at as a family like we were during the last three wars."

Kamo's tone saddened as he spoke. "No, I don't have the same feelings as I did when we were all fighting a war together, and Dr Nambu was in charge of things. He loved all of you like his own children. That's the difference as I see it. Together you were all a family…apart, you're still a family, and that from what I have seen in the last year is as strong as ever."

"We still are Kamo, and you became part of it too…right at the end." She smiled warmly at the jolly old man with a balding hair line and thick black moustache- she likened him to a Grandfather figure.

"I know…and I miss all of you…That is why I'm resigning from the ISO." He said calmly. "But I figured I'd let you have a read of this contract even though I'm not suppose to let you in on it until after Ken's signed his. That way they'd be able to tell him that you're being offered a contract too…but they intended to leave out details until you both signed your contracts. Besides, my wife wants to see me more often."

Jun gasped at the craftiness of it all. The new Federation leaders were going to great lengths to break up her relationship with Ken forever. But how could she tell him about it without sounding like she was trying to keep him on Earth and away from duty like she once wanted badly so long ago during peace time. She'd find a way…

"You're a real friend Kamo." She said hugging him. Kamo blushed wildly.

"Just doing the right thing I hope." He said breaking away from her and his moustache twitched at the corners and his smile became warm and jolly once more.

"I have go- but keep frosty Jun." He winked and walked back towards the main building.

She knew what he meant by that old saying- and she had a few serious decisions to make herself about her future.