After a long hiatus and battle with writer's block, we're back!

The Janus Campaign

Chapter 16 Through The Looking Glass, Part 2:

"Well, Pina is still in discussion right now. We can wait in the Rec Lounge while they finish up." Taylor turned to Rory, "Besides, there are a bunch of people who would be thrilled to meet these young ladies, especially Rory, who just might be the most popular person in the world right now."

Itami winced as he recalled the scene on the floor of the Diet. Representative Kohara hopefully would never know how close she had come to experiencing Rory's wrath. "I certainly could have done without the excitement," He replied as they followed Taylor into the building.

"I suppose so but what's done is done and Rory just did what most people dream of doing and got away with it. I can only imagine what viral media is going to do with that." They entered the lounge area and Taylor nodded to Chief Richardson.

"Attention on deck!" The Chief called.

"At ease," Taylor instructed and then smiled. "Gentlemen… Ladies… I'm sure you will recognize our guests. Remember what I said: I consider these ladies to be like my own family. And Lieutenant Itami and Sergeants Kuribayashi and Tomita all share my feelings on this matter.

Also, I do not recommend offering Rory your immortal soul. She takes contracts seriously."

"I wouldn't mind!" A voice called from the back of the room. Taylor noted Rory begin to smile in a predatory manner.

"Be that as it may, Uncle Sam has already claimed first dibs on that so that's a non-starter."

"So close Charlie!" Someone called to the disappointed petty officer.

She could break your heart boys but better your heart than your spine, Taylor thought.

In a few minutes, they were joined by Lady Lucilla who addressed and greeted Taylor warmly. "Brother! It is good to see you!" She hugged him fondly, "Dinner will be ready shortly. They've been roasting a whole hog in honor of your return!" Lucilla looked around, noting Rory, Tuka, and Lelei. "Well brother, the famed Apostle of Emroy, a High Elf, and a mage! You have a knack for meeting interesting people. Even Her Imperial Highness and two of the Rose Order's Knight Commanders!" A touch of excitement crept into her voice. "Do you know them well brother?"

Taylor would have been glad if Shino Kuribayashi had not begun to smirk or if Rory had not opted for mischief at his expense.

"Love at first sight!" Shino announced. "We saw him propose to Lady Panache."

Rory nodded. "I'd be happy to preside over the bonding," She stated with amusement.

"I didn't…" Taylor began to protest.

"Mother will be so pleased!" Lucilla exclaimed.

Taylor kept a mask of calm on his face. Kuribayashi! I will get you! Someday, somehow, I will get you for this! Not that he had anything against Lady Panache, in fact, he found her both attractive and fascinating but it was certainly a one-sided attraction. This was not the time to indulge in a schoolboy crush.

Lucilla merely smiled. "I had better help Antonius and Marcus get ready for dinner! Felicia will fetch you when dinner is ready." Of course, she needed to relay this bit of social intelligence concerning her foster brother, what others would term 'gossip', to her mother. "Until then brother." Lucilla excused herself.

At dinner then at the suggestion of Lucilla, Taylor, and Panache found themselves seated next to each other. This was to the approval of Lady Octavia and Princess Pina and the amusement of Rory, Itami, and Kuribayashi. Panache also noticed an amused twinkle in the eye of her dear friend Bozes. Of course, Panache also noticed the slightest blushing by Bozes as she took a seat next to Sergeant Tomita.

So! You would have Her Highness and everyone else distracted for a bit, my dear friend! Just understand that sooner or later, they will all realize there is nothing between Taylor and myself. I have no time for wistful fantasy while my heart pains over the fate of Tiberius. Besides, even were my heart not heavy with worry, I am sure that Taylor could not have interest in what my father calls 'such an unnatural girl' like me.

Now ensconced in her traditional place at the head of the table, Lady Octavia waited for all of her guests to be seated before rising, goblet in hand.

"Your Imperial Highness, Vice-Minister Shirayuri, Ambassador Russell, Lords and Ladies, Esteemed Guests, it is my pleasure to see you all tonight. Before we commence feasting, there is an important matter of business we must address. After careful consultation with Colonel Mihara and Ambassador Russell, I feel it is an appropriate time to address an important matter. None of us here can deny that a great change looms for the Empire. This is not the first time our people have been confronted with change. I intend that my family and my House will continue and may yet even prosper in the face of the uncertainties that lie ahead of us. But that will require knowledge beyond my own and an understanding of the world with which the Empire has collided. This is why I have chosen an heir from the blood of this new world. By the laws and customs of our people, I name William James Taylor as my son and legal heir. That in the eyes of the Empire he is William James Taylor Octavus. That one day he will inherit the title and lands of my father. That I believe him an honorable man, I trust that he will act to protect Our family and conduct himself honorably in all things. I would not ask that he betray the oaths or trusts of his people as only a person without honor would ask such and only a person without honor would accept such and those are traits unworthy of Our House. My son, as suited to your station as heir of my house, It is time you carried the signet of our house. Antonius?"

The older of Octavia's two natural born sons rose from his seat and stepped to his mother with Marcus right behind him. Antonius handed his mother a small box which she opened and studied with satisfaction. Come here, my son." Octavia told Taylor warmly.

As Taylor rose from his seat, Kuribayashi gave a curious glance at Ambassador Russell. "Forgive me but I thought it was against American law for its citizens to accept any titles or gifts from foreign governments?"

Russell smiled. "The exact wording in the Constitution is that 'No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State'. I think Congress will accept a recommendation to allow this. The potential for establishment of ties with a possible future ally and trading partner far outweighs any risk." There it was: From a military perspective, the United States did not consider the Empire to be any particular threat or challenge but rather an opportunity to be cultivated before opposing powers managed to get a foot in the door. What was unspoken were that there would still be consequences to come.

Her Imperial Highness listened very attentively to all this. Lady Octavia had made it clear she was acting in the interests of her House and Family. If the Empire chose to take a path of self-destruction, her House would survive. Pina would pay heed to her wisdom as she wondered what would become of the Empire. What would become of those who would try to deny the truths that Lady Octavia and now Pina herself could see so plainly and what would become of the rest of them?

As Taylor stood in front of Lady Octavia, she showed him the jeweled ring which bore the emblem of her house. As she placed it on his finger, she addressed the room. "Here, before Her Imperial Highness, I affirm that as the bearer of this ring, you are the rightful heir to House Octavus." She added, "I intended for you to have this before you left but it took a little longer than I had hoped for the craftsman to complete. I am relieved that the delay did not cause you any serious trouble."

Bozes shuffled a little nervously and Panache fought to suppress her own embarrassment that they had very nearly given extreme affront to one of the great houses of the Empire.

"Nothing that we couldn't handle," Taylor answered mildly, to which she raised an eyebrow.

Panache cleared her throat and looked at Bozes who nodded. "There was an incident. We detained your son as a possible enemy combatant." Panache stated with more calm than she felt.

Octavia smiled. "My son! You have a talent for making the acquaintance of some of the most distinguished daughters in the entire Empire! I trust that difficulties were minor?"

"Completely. Lady Bozes and Lady Panache acted with all due restraint and chivalry."

Bozes, Panache, and Princess Pina herself felt a measure of relief at this. Things were bad enough without borrowing even more trouble.

"Good! I look forward to discussing family matters later. Now! Sit! Tonight's feast has been prepared in your honor, my son."

The food was excellent. The conversation was generally lively as Princess Pina expressed considerable interest in Risa and her work. The subject also eliciting interest from Lady Bozes and amusement from Colonel Mihara. Ambassador Russell fielded numerous questions from Hamilton about the governments of Japan and the United States

"It is a fascinating system," Hamilton declared finally. "But 'Democracy' on the national level would be an impractical government model in our world. It depends too much upon a learned population to function. On a small scale, it's fine. Villagers ought to know their village and understand its problems but understanding the matters of the entire nation requires an educated and informed population with the time and inclination to contemplate such things."

Ambassador Russell listened thoughtfully and nodded. What the young woman had said was correct in regards to an educated and informed population. Americans often referred to having three branches of government, each designed to keep the others in check but in reality, there were four legs upon which American democracy stood. The responsibility of that fourth branch often overlooked and ignored at peril. "It is not a perfect system and it requires a lot of effort but my people would never want to live any other way." This was one reason why Russell fervently hoped that talks between the Pacific powers and the Empire proved fruitful. He did not want to see yet another in history's long list of ham-fisted attempts at 'nation building' Democracy had to be built and nurtured from within a society and while it was the system he believed in, he suspected it would take a minimum of several decades at least to foster the changes required for an American style government to work in the lands now ruled by the Empire.

In the meantime, Lucilla eagerly questioned Princess Pina and Bozes and Panache about the Rose Order.

"You would wish to join the Order?" Pina asked Lucilla with a touch of disbelief. Afterall, had not their current circumstances demonstrated that the entire Imperial way of war was now completely obsolete?

"Absolutely! Once we return home and if mother and father permit it, I should certainly ask your Highness to consider my appointment."

"Then if that is your wish I will do so."

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Octavia chuckled. "Lucilla has admired the Order ever since my husband and I took her to see your knights in tournament two years ago. It was most impressive."

"Thank you," Pina answered with a touch of pride returning.

As dinner progressed, Panache began to feel somewhat more at ease, enough to finally inquire on the matter dearest to her thoughts. "Colonel Mihara? I was wondering. I have not had a chance to look over the lists you provided us but my younger brother was given a commission in our expeditionary army. I was hoping if he might be held, prisoner. I know the Vice Minister said that your people did not practice ransoming prisoners but if at least I knew he was alive and could send a message to him?"

"By your leave Colonel," Taylor suggested. "I'll look into it."

"Certainly Lieutenant. "

"Thank you, ma'am."

"After you've seen to that if you and Lady Panache would join us in the sitting room?" Octavia invited.

"Of course. "

After dinner, It only took a few moments to locate the name of Tiberius Kalgi in the prisoner database.

"You said this was your younger brother?" Taylor asked Panache as he brought up her brother's file and picture. This boy looked too young to be sitting in the middle of a prison camp.

Panache smiled, feeling relief that at least Tiberius was alive and apparently safe. "He's fifteen."

"Your army normally grant commissions to fifteen-year-olds?"

"Sixteen is the normal age," Panache explained. "But our father traded some favors to get him an early commission. Father didn't want Tiberius to 'miss on the opportunity' for glory." Her tone spoke volumes about how she felt about that.

"I take it you didn't think that was such a good idea."

"Tiberius would do anything to please our father but he's a poet. A thinker. Let him learn and build!"

"So, first commission, what would they have him doing?"Taylor asked.

"Most probably serving as a messenger." Panache replied. "It's a good first assignment to acclimate a new officer to the army."

"I see. Well, it is normal practice to allow prisoners to send and receive letters and receive packages. That won't be a problem."

"Thank you." She felt a weight had been lifted from her heart. "Our mother will be very much relieved."

"It was my pleasure."

After a not unpleasant walk, Taylor and Panache reported to Lady Octavia's sitting room. Ambassador Russell and Vice Minister Shirayuri had both taken their leave by this point but Octavia's other guests along with Colonel Mihara, several of the ranking Saderan ladies, Octavia's natural children, along with the faithful Felicia and two Marine guards were present.

"I sense there is good news to report, my Lady?" Octavia asked Panache solicitously, noting the eased demeanor of the young woman.

"Yes, milady. My brother is alive and safe!" Panache reported.

"That is excellent news indeed!" Princess Pina agreed.

"Now with that happy bit of news," Octavia continued. "There is one last matter my son. Thanks to Chief Richardson, I was able to commission a swordsmith capable of forging a sword worthy of Our house name. Lucilla?"

Her daughter retrieved a long case and with a proud smile, set it on the table in front of her brother and opened it.

"I am told it is forged from something called 'L6 steel," Octavia stated. "The workmanship does appear excellent." She looked over at Colonel Mihara. "Colonel? As this room is quite secure and guarded, would it be alright to allow Her Highness and her companions to examine this?"

Colonel Mihara nodded her assent to the Marine sentries "I guess it would take a swordsman to truly appreciate a sword."

"Thank you, Colonel. I may love Lieutenant Taylor as any mother would a son, but he is simply not yet versed in the ways of the sword. I will need to find a suitable teacher for him." She turned to Pina's party: "Ladies? As we've said, it takes an expert to recognize a quality blade..."

Camp Charon, Iwo Jima

Early the following morning, Tiberius, son of Baron Kalgi was told to gather his kit and report to Colonel Masters office. The grim-faced sergeant giving no hint as to why. Tiberius's hut mates were certain that the boy had violated some taboo or had otherwise offended 'The Dread Lady' as Masters was called in whispered murmurs. Sergeant Giardelli calmly escorted the teen to the Camp commander's office.

"Thank you, sergeant. Wait outside," the Colonel instructed.

"Yes, ma'am."

Alone before the inscrutable gaze of 'The Dread Lady', Tiberius stood absolutely still as she studied him wordlessly for what seemed like an eternity when the impossible happened: The Dread Lady smiled.

"Tiberius El Kalgi, after a careful review of new information, it seems we have made a mistake. We had originally classified you as a combatant but according to new information, that appears to have been in error. In a minute, Sergeant Giardelli will take you to our mess for breakfast and then you will wait for transportation to Camp Augustus. Congratulations, you're on your way back to the world."