Today Yao and Nayu reach Alnus.

Also, to answer a couple of questions:

A Guest Reviewer asked why the Alnus base was referred to as 'Starbase'. Well, since the base is laid out in the shape of a six-sided star, it's an obvious reference. Americans also nickname Alnus Base as Fort Defiance.

Also, Fer82: Taylor's parents divorced when he was fourteen.

And here we go!

The Janus Campaign

Chapter 25: A Cry For Help.

Sadera, Palace of Zorzal El Caesar

The Prince was in one of his moods again, Tyuule thought grimly. Though named heir to the Imperial throne, Zorzal had been systematically excluded from the governance of the Empire. According to Bouro, even Princess Pina had been given some assignment in regards to the current war. Even if it was mere 'busy work', it was more than Emperor Molt had been willing to entrust to his heir. Objectively, of course, Tyuule could understand this. She would not trust the Prince to supervise a chariot race at the Maximus by himself, let alone anything of importance.

In practice, however, this was highly inconvenient to her plans. She was well aware that Bouro was merely using her. He was oily enough but he lacked the means to manipulate Zorzal. So for the moment, he needed Tyuule, who had learned just how to stroke Zorzal's massive ego while providing him with the sense of power and conquest that he craved. And for now, Tyuule needed Bouro and his network of agents. So she pretended to believe that Bouro did not have a completely different goal than she did. He could claim to her all he wanted that as an outcast of Imperial society, he wanted to see it all destroyed but that was a lie. There was a difference between the two of them. Tyuule had been a true ruler. She had loved her people, fought for them, with them. She had delivered herself into the hands of their enemies in an attempt to save her people. She had suffered for her sins. She had been broken to rock bottom and knew the bitter taste of defeat. Not just defeat but total, soul-crushing defeat. The knowledge that sometimes all, was in fact lost.

Bouro, on the other hand, was even as an outcast, still an Imperial at heart. He truly believed the propaganda that the Empire had never been defeated and would always be victorious in the end. Of course, he needed to believe it, for his own plans meant nothing if there was no Empire for him to rule.

The two of them had secretly discussed this more than once in the past months that the armies of the Empire had been brutally smashed by whatever enemy they had provoked from across the Gate. Of course, the Empire admitted no such defeats in public but it was still spoken in quiet whispers among the powerful. Further, the Imperial Throne had released no list of glories. There were no triumphs for victorious generals. Instead, the public was merely told that the Empire needed more men to prosecute the war and drive the last remnants of the barbarians from the sacred soil of Alnus and humble the barbarians. No mention had been made to the public of the hundred thousand men who were supposed to be conquering these barbarians already or the next hundred thousand who had been slain attempting to prevent these barbarians from establishing a foothold in the most sacred heart of Imperial territory. Nor was it mentioned how Molt had sent the armies of the Empire's 'allies' to slaughter. Based on this, the average Imperial citizen could be excused for believing the war was progressing satisfactorily. Bouro and Tyuule had discussed the rumors and reports from his operatives and they agreed that all evidence indicated that the Empire had bitten off much more than it could chew. The difference was that Tyuule could see in his eyes that Bouro really did not believe it. She understood what he did not: Once an army was broken in the field, it could not simply be replaced like a torn tunic. Warriors took time to train and they needed equipping. This equipment needed to be crafted and it all costed money. Unless the enemy was much more badly damaged than she thought, there was no real fighting force capable of stopping this enemy.

No, Bouro simply could not accept this, despite the evidence before him. Bouro wanted to undermine the current rulers of the Empire but not the Empire itself. He intended to take advantage of the current situation but in the end, he needed the Empire to prevail. Tyuule wanted to see the whole hated thing burn. For now, the two were allies, using each other for their own ends. She was sure that Bouro would betray her when it suited him just as she planned to toss his broken corpse atop the Empire's blazing pyre.

But plans for the future were a luxury to be entertained outside of the wrath of Zorzal. And shunted aside by his father and left to his own devices, the Prince stalked his personal palace like a spoiled, petulant child looking for ways to ease his boredom. His current tantrum seemed to be something in the kitchens. At least that wasn't too likely to bring her much extra grief. She would listen solicitously as he complained, decry the incompetence of whomever he was upset with and suggest that they needed to be taught a lesson. If he declined, she would praise his magnanimity and if he punished the 'offenders', then he would derive enjoyment from it, be pleased that she agreed with him and divert his wrath away from her. And not incidentally… From the other slaves as well.

If she had a people any longer, they were her fellow slaves. They accepted her as the leader among them, followed her instructions, and she protected them as best she could. Sometimes with her own body. This was especially true of Noriko. As she had told Zorzal, so carefully on more than one occasion that Noriko was far too delicate a flower for his normal methods. He was used to instant obedience and any failure to promptly comply with his demands was usually met with violence and for a period of almost a week, Zorzal had set about teaching this to his newest 'toy'. Tyuule had taken a risk of incurring Zorzal's wrath by interfering but his wrath was nothing he had not already inflicted upon her. Of course, she did not intend to risk angering him enough so as to endanger her own life. Death would be so inconvenient to her plans after all. But she promised the Prince that she would teach the girl how to please him better and in return, Noriko had been moved to Tyuule's room where Tyuule had taught her carefully to obey and endure. She treated the girl's wounds, threatening guards and the healers with Zorzal's displeasure if Noriko was not well tended. And soon, she had the girl's trust. Her Delicate Flower talked to her about the world beyond the Gate and its marvels and Tyuule quickly understood that the Empire could not hope to match that kind of power.

Recently, Tyuule had told her that her people had an army in Falmart. "Do not speak or think of this in the Prince's presence but know they are coming. One day they will come here and you will tell them how I have cared for you." She smiled. "That is all I ask."

But right now, as she watched Noriko sleeping, curled up on her cot, Tyuule only wondered one thing: Where were the Japanese?

Alnus

"Alnus!" Yao breathed, looking down from the hill which the new residents called 'SugarLoaf'.

"Finally!" Nayu agreed. Walking down to the town's main gate, the two were soon able to relate their situation to the members of the Civic Guard who were manning the gate alongside PA troops. Facilitation of communication with all new arrivals was a primary concern here and while Yao was not exceptionally fluent in Popularii, Nayu spoke it well. Yao would learn soon enough, Nayu knew. Most elves had a knack for languages. Excellent hearing and memory were only part of the reason why this was so but the important thing was that the two Vietnamese soldiers who had drawn gate duty this morning were able to quickly relay the situation up the chain of command to General Hazama, who agreed to meet with the Dark Elf representatives later that afternoon. First, however, the two would need to go through the standard medical examinations before entry, then they would wait.

General Hazama frowned slightly when he received the report from the gate. Ever since Recon Three's encounter with the Flame Dragon, Hazama and his subordinate commanders had been drawing up plans to handle another encounter with the beast. And now, it seemed someone had come to ask for their direct aid and intervention against the creature. But before directly entertaining any such possible requests, the general would meet with Colonel Lowe where they would discuss both the current operational plans for dealing with the creature and the current political climate and potential repercussions of any plans

Hazama looked up at Lieutenant Yanagida. "We'll need a guide to accompany our guests until we are ready to receive them. Lieutenant Taylor is back from Italica. He has the most experience in dealing with the local races. Get him over to the town gate Let him get a sense of our two visitors."

"Yes, sir." Yanagida was inherently uncomfortable at this. He and Taylor held an innate distrust of each other. Well, there was at least one thing to be done. Itami might be an irritant but he was loyal to the JSDF. And it was not as if Itami did not have some of the same qualifications as Taylor and surely a second set of eyes and ears would be of value. So he went to find Itami, searching to find him unsurprisingly lounging at his desk.

"Itami! We have visitors waiting down at the Alnus Town gate. They'll require guides until the General sends for them. First, go find Lelei and then find Taylor and you two will talk and observe with our guests."

"Can't Taylor handle it?"

"Just get out there," Yanagida replied. "This may be important."

Itami sighed. He quickly found Taylor out on the firing range with Aurelia and Aenaire. Aenaire was getting accustomed to the new recurve bow Taylor had given her while Aurelia watched with displeasure as Taylor took aim down range with the rifle he had just received, his shoulder already bruised from previous firings Aurelia being somewhat relieved when the range master ordered 'cease fire!' as Itami and Lelei approached.

"Taylor! What are you doing out here with that thing?" Itami gestured to the massive weapon Taylor had just set to safety.

"I'm not going to get caught helpless again, Itami."

"Yeah, I guess not." Itami shrugged. "Anyway, Yanagida says we've got some special visitors at the town gate. We're supposed to go down and talk to them and guide them around until the General sends for them."

"Right. Well, just let us secure our gear. And we'll all take a walk." After a few minutes, Taylor gestured to Itami to lead the way.

"So where's the other third of your better half?" Itami asked in amusement.

"Lady Panache is busy overseeing the recovery of a thousand sets of armor from storage and after that, she's repatriating a few horses. Hopefully, she'll be able to join us for dinner this evening." Taylor quirked an eye at Itami. "And what about your entourage?"

"What do you mean?"

"Come off it! Tuka adores you. Rory looks at you like a lioness sizing up an antelope, and Lelei… " He smiled at the young mage with a twinkle in his eye.

"What about Lelei?" Itami asked, paying more attention to her

"She'll let you know when she's ready," Taylor smirked as Lelei blushed slightly with a small smile.

"I'm not the one trapped in the middle of a harem anime," Itami protested.

"That's what you think." A few minutes later, they were at the gatehouse, where they were met with the two Dark Elves. Aenaire greeted them in her native tongue.

"Hello. I am Aenaire, this is Lelei La Lelena. We will translate. You are from Schwarz Woods, aren't you?"

Yao bowed sharply. "I am Yao Haa Dushi." She gestured to her companion. "This is Nayu Haa Nin. We have come seeking the aid of the Green Men because of ..."

"The Flame Dragon," Aenaire said with certainty.

"Yes," Yao replied. "We have heard the Green Men wounded and drove the beast off. Without their help, the remaining eight hundred elves of Schwarz Woods will not survive for long."

"It is true. My son and I were rescued from our village after the dragon attacked. Only three of us survived. These men," She gestured to Itami and Taylor. "Rescued us and then helped the nearby Coda village evacuate. The dragon attacked the evacuation. I saw it fly off minus an arm."

"So," Nayu quirked her head, appraising Taylor and Itami. "The stories are true after all."

"Yes," Lelei replied. "It is so."

"Please!" Yao entreated. "We MUST have their help!" She took out a large bag from under her cloak. "We will offer everything we have to those that can destroy this beast!" She opened the bag to reveal a perfectly shaped champagne colored pearl measuring some thirteen inches in diameter. Aenaire inhaled.

"The Dragon Seed," Aenaire breathed. Lelei's eyes went wide. It was a treasure so valuable that one could literally buy their own kingdom with it.

"Yes," Yao answered. "We will give this. We will give our bodies. We will give anything we have But we must have the aid of the Green Men."

Aenaire nodded and translated. Taylor looked at Itami. "We'd help in a heartbeat if it was our call to make. But that will be up to General Hazama. I expect right now he's reviewing what we already know about that thing and the latest plans to deal with it. I won't make promises but I think he'll decide to help. That creature puts a lot of innocent lives at risk." He smiled.

"So! Until the General calls for us, you join us for lunch. You can tell us more about your people and your village while we eat."

Nayu and Yao nodded to each other. At least they had made contact. They had been promised a chance to make their case. Until then, they had to wait. Of course, Nayu actually relished the opportunity to see these people in a social setting.

They encountered Rory and Myuute on the way to the Silver Gryphon Inn and Tavern, just in time to see Delilah bodily toss out a drunken patron who had gotten just a little too frisky for his own good.

"Is everything alright Delilah?" Rory asked, glancing at the drunk who was shaking his head as if trying to understand what had just happened.

"Just fine. As long as he goes home and sleeps off the ale."

"Sounds reasonable," Rory replied. She then looked at Itami and the two Dark Elves. "So… Are you trying to get rid of me, Youji? How cruel of you to play with a young girl's heart and discard it so callously!"

Itami flinched, uncomfortably aware of Rory's knack for drawing attention. "Rory… It's nothing like that! Um… Why don't you join us? And you can see everything is fine."

Rory raised an eye at him as Myuute smiled. "I'll see you later Rory."

They went into the tavern and took one of the long tables. Rory as usual completely disregarded all notions of Itami's personal space as she sat practically in his lap, suspiciously eyeing Yao and Nayu. "I don't blame you for being interested," she told them. "But this one is mine."

Taylor noticed as Itami and Rory did not, the stink eye that Lelei was giving the apostle at this.

Nayu glanced at the utterly confused Yao. "I'll let you answer her, Yao." She scooted a bit towards Taylor and looked to Aenaire. "Are you bonded?" She asked indicating Taylor.

"Yes, I suppose you could say that. Aurelia, who sits on his other side," She gestured to the tall Bunny Warrior. "Is also to be with him as is the Lady Panache."

"That's unusual."

"Yes, but he needs the extra guidance," Aenaire replied in amusement.

Taylor had the distinct impression he had just been zinged. He shook it off.

"So Itami? I saw Kurokawa yesterday."

"Oh?" Itami's tone was wary, having a good guess what Taylor wanted to talk about.

"Yes, she's worried about Tuka."

"I know. She came to see me this morning." Itami gave an uncomfortable look at Taylor. "I don't think we should intervene. Do we really want to take what she has left from her? Even if it's an illusion? At least she has that much." Just as he said that an uncomfortable thought rose in his mind. She's fine now because she has us. But what happens later? But before he could voice these doubts, Taylor shook his head

"I don't see it that way, Itami." He said quietly. "According to what Kurokawa says, she's living in a fantasy world. That's not happiness. It's an addictive misery," Taylor said, speaking from a pain of his own.

As Itami considered this, Taylor continued. "If we can't be here forever, I don't see how that means we don't do what we can." He paused, looking at his hands. "I think we should do what we can to help others, not worry about what we can't do."

"Then she'll need a real counselor," Itami sighed. "I'll take care of it."

Then Rory smirked at Itami. "Now! Drink! We'll see to Tuka but you can't help her drowning in worry!"

Itami smiled weakly and took a drink. "For someone called Rory the Reaper, you have a kind heart."

Rory smiled serenely. "Death is merely a part of life. To have a good death, one must have respect for life."

"Respect for life, hmm?"

"That's right! And that includes not wasting it in needless woe! Especially when you could be spending those moments making me happy!" She leaned in closer, finished her ale and set it on the table.

Itami smiled just a little at this. "By the way Taylor, what was that you had out on the range earlier?" He noticed that both Aenaire and Aurelia gave disapproving glances at Taylor at the mention of this.

"Barrett M107. It fires a .50 caliber round."

Itami shook his head. "We had Browning M2s. Even they couldn't stop that thing."

"I know. But I couldn't swing anything bigger. And it'll stop most things around here. At least that oversized lizard would have felt it."

"Felt it and gotten mad. I'm not sure that's a good idea," Itami replied.

"Maybe not," Taylor conceded. "But I had to do something. There are days when I feel like a well-protected tourist out here."

Itami shook his head and leaned back lazily. "Everyone has their own strengths. Getting what the brass wants done with the least amount of exertion? That's my skill. You have a knack for dealing with people. Your problem is you want to fix everything. Some things are just too big."

"Maybe," Taylor admitted.

A few minutes later, Yeoman Locke walked in. "Lieutenant? You sirs and your guests are requested in General Hazama's office."

"Right," Taylor acknowledged. "Let's go, everybody! Olympus awaits!"

To Be Continued in Chapter 26: A Desperate Plight!