A/N: ~ denotes speaking in Japanese~

Chapter 9: Turn

Special Detention Facility, Yokosuka

My son, I envy that tonight you will rest under the stars of my homeland and I wish you good fortune in your travels but I must say I wish you were still here. Your successor is a complete lackwit! Also, the next time I see you, I must remember to give you that ring. I need to thank Chief Richardson for helping me find a craftsman to handle the work. Even if Imperial Suwani and Denari are not the coins of this realm, gold and silver are still gold and silver. Even here, wealth has its uses. Now if I could only buy your successor a heart and some brains…

To say that relations between Lady Octavia and Lieutenant Fallon, the new liaison officer, were frigid was like describing a typhoon as 'mildly inclement weather'. For one thing, Octavia was informed that she would have to make a request through Senior Chief Richardson to see Lieutenant Fallon at his convenience.

Done were polite conversations over shared meals. It seemed that politics and displays of dominance were the new order of the game. The one meeting Octavia had with Lieutenant Fallon had been a ham-handed farce with Fallon either unable or unwilling to hide the condescension in his eyes.

Fortunately, Octavia was a seasoned veteran of years of military and court politics, concealing her emotions behind a facade of well-practiced smiles and courtly manners. It was a mark of her ability; indeed, that she was able to mask the anger, frustration, and worry that she felt that all the work and goodwill accomplished to date might be jeopardized by one arrogant and petty little man. Perhaps it is good to know that even such an advanced culture had its share of self-important cretins, Octavia thought to herself, but if Lieutenant Fallon believed he could intimidate her, then he was very mistaken. Your people may reign supreme on the battlefield young man, but you have entered MY arena. May whatever gods you believe in have mercy on your soul for I will have none.

Gibraltar

"Lieutenant, beating these people in the field isn't the question. We can wipe the map with them at any time and any place we choose. What we need is to be able to start talking to these people. That's why you're here. No one else has spent as much time actually sitting down with these people and talking with them. That's the kind of expertise we need now."

"Yes, sir."

"We need to go out and meet the locals, reassure them that their new neighbors aren't a bunch of kill-happy maniacs. We want to show them we're good neighbors and along the way, we need to map out their social and political structure so we can start figuring out who to talk to about ending this little war."

Colonel Emerson's words echoed in Taylor's head as he left the Colonel's newly completed office and headed for what would become the base's main motor pool, although at the moment it amounted to an unpaved parking lot. Looking around himself, the base certainly looked impressive, even if still in an early stage of construction.

The planned design for the main compound was a rather elegant looking star-shaped fortress. This was despite the protests of many American engineers, who felt the design inefficient and impractical. The Japanese view of the structure prevailed as they argued that the base was unlikely to face serious attack once completed and that the design should, therefore, be as much as a political and cultural statement as a military installation. Once completed, most Americans would fondly refer to it as the 'Starbase'.

As he strode past the unfinished Marine barracks, he continued to think back to his meeting.

"You'll be working as part of the Third Deep Reconnaissance Squad under First Lieutenant Youji Itami. The Hero of Ginza, I'm sure you must have seen the big commendation ceremony and press blitz."

"Can't say I did sir. I think I was busy discussing anthrax testing on livestock that day."

Emerson chuckled. "Fair enough, Lieutenant. Just if someone ever decides to pin a medal on you, try and pay attention."

"Certainly sir."

"At any rate, you'll be there to observe and assist where possible. Itami will be in command."

"What sort of officer is Itami, sir?"

"He's Special Forces and his performance in Ginza speaks for itself. That said, he's got some notes in his file which concern me. It's a mixed bag Lieutenant. Emerson frowned. "Lieutenant, listen carefully to me son, I know you're Navy, not Marines, but you're still an American officer. If things start falling apart out there, do what you have to. Don't politely follow a bad situation into the ground. Use your best judgment and we'll sort it out later."

"Aye, sir."

Taylor certainly hoped he would never be caught in any such situation. Wearing the green and tan camouflage of the Marine Corps in no way made him Chesty Puller and he had no inclination to pretend he was.

Presently, he walked up on a small group of JSDF infantry and knew he had found the group he was looking for as he overheard the skinny Lieutenant address the others,

~ I am Itami, commander of Recon Squad Three.~

Taylor heard the Lieutenant mutter something about missing the Yurikamome.

~All right! Let's get going!~

Don't tell me nobody told these guys I was coming. This could be awkward.

"Excuse me, Lieutenant.' He spoke in a firm but respectful voice."Lieutenant Youji Itami?"

The officer looked at him with a blank expression as Taylor saluted him. Taylor was not the most spit-shined officer in the service, but the importance of making a good initial impression had long been impressed upon him.

Taylor waited for Itami to return his salute before continuing.

"Lieutenant Taylor, United States Navy. I have orders to report to you as unit observer."

"Oh!" Itami's confused expression yielded to recognition. "I forgot about that! Well! Welcome aboard. Time to get going, eh?"

"It's your campaign, Lieutenant." Taylor nodded and at Itami's gesture, got into the Humvee waiting in the lead position. Technically it was a Toyota High Mobility Vehicle, but to Taylor, the distinction was as meaningless as the difference between a DC-3 and the Japanese produced L2D 'Tabby' that was a licensed copy of the famed Douglas airliner. That is to say, none at all. Being one of two dozen recon teams, 3rd Recon was one of the teams assigned to the North East quadrant. Driving at a conservative speed they reached a small village shortly after noon. The village was marked in one of the earlier aerial surveys so the unit was able to halt about half a mile from the village gate while Itami discussed the best way to approach the small community.

"Best not to all of us drive up to the front door out of the blue. " Taylor commented.

"Yes, I agree." Itami nodded. "I think you and Sergeant Kurokawa should go."

"Just the two of us, hmm?" Taylor raised an eyebrow.

"Of course not, Sergeants Kuribayashi and Tomita will go with you."

Taylor shook his head. "Yes, but then our little group would be missing that command presence it so desperately cries out for. I just don't see how we can pull this off without you Lieutenant." Taylor grinned.

Kurokawa looked at the two men with amusement."If you two strong men are too frightened, I can handle this on my own." The medic told them.

Both Lieutenants looked at her. "No way. You, Sergeant, are the single most indispensable person here." Taylor told her flatly.

"That's right" Itami agreed.."Fine. Kurokawa and I will go in first. Taylor, you and Kuribayashi will follow behind us."

"Right." Taylor retrieved the M4 Carbine that the Marines had issued him and made doubly certain the safety was on. Yeah… I'm a friggin' Real American Hero. I'll probably blow my own foot off. Following behind Itami and Kurokawa, Taylor and Kuribayashi walked down the well-worn cart path.

~Great!~ Shino muttered to herself. ~We're doomed! Our L-T is gone in the head and what do we need with…~

Taylor mentally tensed.

~...a sailor?~ Shino finished.

Taylor chuckled. ~Just in case the enemy uses a battleship to block the road, Sergeant.~

Shino whirled her head in surprise.

~Yes, Sergeant Kuribayashi. I speak Japanese.~ He shrugged. ~At least I speak it well enough to thank you for not saying 'gaijin' just now.~

~But… You didn't say… We've all been speaking English for nothing?~ Shino sputtered.

~Did anyone ask if I spoke Japanese? I just let everyone make their own assumptions. Once I was certain that it wouldn't endanger the mission, I figured I would just hold onto that piece of information. You can learn a lot about someone if he doesn't think you can understand what he's really saying.~

Kuribayashi grinned in recognition. ~A ploy then sir.~

~Yes and one I'd appreciate if you didn't spoil for everyone else. I've been listening to your Lieutenant and Sergeant Kurata carry on about Cat-girls and Elves and manga and anime and whatnot for HOURS and biting my tongue. I'm just afraid they'll start singing.~

~May the heavens save us!~

~By all means Sergeant.~

Presently, Kurokawa and Itami reached the village gate to begin making contact. Taylor and Kuribayashi holding back a few yards in cover, keeping a watchful eye just to be safe. Everyone in 3rd Recon would have agreed that Kurokawa had a face and demeanor that folks easily warmed to. Taylor had to admit that Itami's ability to play the part of a loveable goof was probably also useful in helping coax the reluctant villagers to feel safe as Itami signaled for Taylor and Kuribayashi to join them and then ordered the rest of the squad to come read the sign above the gate.

"'Coda Village'. A nice private gated community for those who like to live off the beaten path." Remembering his language lessons with Lucilla, Taylor stepped up to help Itami talk with the village elder. Though Itami did not know it, Lady Octavia had been kind enough to assign her house scribe to put together the phrasebook that Itami was now holding and rather horribly mangling. To further put the locals at ease, Taylor took out the coin purse Octavia had given him and bought some local produce.

Kuribayashi looked at him with interest.

"It's my allowance money," he said simply

The Village elder, a man named Aelred, helped them fill in some of the details on their map, local place names, features not notable from the air and where nearby roads led. Taylor filed the man's name in his own notes as it helped him piece together the riddle of just who the Saderans were.

Soon it was time to move on. There was a forest ahead that they should reach in time to make camp. Unfortunately, the banter between Itami and Kurata over fantasy creatures and manga and anime finally gave way to singing as the pair burst into the theme for 'Mei Company'.

Taylor groaned inwardly. You two have no respect for the classics: Space Battleship Yamato, Rurouni Kenshin, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, and as for magical girls? My Waifu could beat up your waifu. My other waifu could beat up you! He thought, resisting the urge to mutiny as the singing continued.

Further down the road, they followed a stream to the outskirts of the forest only to find it ablaze. The little convoy stopped as they got out to get a better look with their field glasses.

That's when they got their first look at the Flame Dragon.

~It's like a one-headed King Ghidorah.~ Sergeant Major Kuwahara exclaimed.

~That stuff's so old, Pops!~ Itami remarked.

~More like Tolkien's Smaug, Sergeant Major, but what I want to know is: Where's Godzilla when you really need him?~

Most everyone turned to look at Taylor in surprise. He waved it off. ~Later,~ he said flatly as Kuribayashi stepped up.

~Commander Itami, what will we do now?~

~Kuribayashi-chan, I'm too scared to go alone. Wanna come with me?~

~No thank you.~

~Oh, okay then.~

For his own part, Taylor was perfectly willing to take the better part of valor. Challenging Smaug without a plan seemed a good way to end up on the wrong side of a flambeing. Then the massive beast flew off, apparently satisfied with his day's work. And I sure hope it's a 'he'!

Itami drew their attention back to the immediate moment. ~Do you think that dragon has a habit of burning down forests for no reason?~

~If you're interested in dragon behavior, why don't you go after it yourself, Commander?~ Kuribayashi remarked flippantly.

Itami paid it no heed. ~No, I mean, don't you remember what they told us at Coda Village? About there being a settlement in the forest?~

~Oh crap!~Kurata exclaimed.

~Looks like we'll have to set up camp later!~ Itami told them.

~Understood,~ Kuwuhara acknowledged. ~All units! Prepare to move out!~

As they got back in their vehicles, it began to rain.

To Be Continued.