It has been a little while since I last updated. That is because I had a little bit of a block on how to start the next chapter. In working around that block, I created an entire extra chapter! Note that I do not own GATE, 'You're Under Arrest', or ANY of the other anime referenced in this chapter. See if you can find them all!
A/N: This chapter has undergone significant changes since first release:
The Janus Campaign
Chapter 32: Tokyo PD Blues
Camp Augustus
It had been a good few days, Taylor reflected. Despite his mother bringing out the photo albums. He had to admit that his baby pictures, at least, were beyond adorable. Of course, half an album's worth of new pictures was taken. Ruth reluctantly fighting the impulse to keep her eyes closed as she normally did. She made a note to get the photos copied and get the albums themselves, duplicated on disc both so she could keep a copy secured in a fireproof box if needed and send copies to her older children. It was their heritage as well. Also, she said that expected her daughter would inevitably share the pictures with her father. Ruth could only imagine the reaction on his face at them. As someone once said: 'Living well is the best revenge!'.
But that was incidental as Antonius and Marcus called her 'Aunt Ruth' and as she hugged her new grandson. Even if Galador was technically older than she was, it was as if it had always been intended to be. As she would be staying in Yokosuka as Lady Octavia's guest, Taylor would arrange for her apartment to be packed and shipped and her lease resolved.
With his impending return to Janus in mind, Taylor went to Colonel Mihara with a request.
"Since we'll be leaving the day after tomorrow, I'd like permission to take my fiancees into Tokyo tomorrow for the day. It may be the last opportunity we get for some time."
"Are you sure that's a good idea? You may have pulled off bringing Panache and Aurelia to the airport in Haneda but audacity won't work every time. There are a lot of angry people in this country."
"I know that, ma'am. Everybody has a reason. Hell! It's been over seventy years and there are some Americans who still hate Japan and some Japanese who hate America. I won't say they should start going to love-ins. Some wounds are just too deep. But for the rest of us… We can't stay there. We admit what happened and hopefully we move on. And now Germany and Japan are two of our best allies." Taylor shrugged. "That didn't happen without effort. Somebody has to take the first steps."
"Alright, Lieutenant. Let me make some calls. Let's see if we can minimize some of the risks in those first steps."
Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department
Commissioner Takao Arizuka hung up his phone suppressing a sigh. It wasn't that Colonel Mihara's request was anything excessive. In point of fact, it was rather a small request: That the Tokyo Police Department spare a few trustworthy officers for a guide and escort detail. While such a matter would normally be handled by the Public Security Intelligence Agency, Colonel Mihara was concerned that in the wake of events involving visitors from the other side of the Gate, there was a leak somewhere in the system and that she felt more secure requesting help from the uniformed police instead.
Of course, Arizuka could not even begin to entertain Mihara's request without considering politics. As much as he preferred to be a simple cop, politics were unavoidable at his level and that damned Gate had dropped a ton of it onto his desk.
For if the JSDF were the 'Heroes of Ginza' and the idols of the public's imagination, it had been his officers dying in the streets and his people who had blocked the bridges and kept the invaders from crossing the Sumida. Unrecognized for their service but having served well.
And then there had been the Emoto case…
In a city on edge over the Ginza invasion, the assault on Bokutou station, the attempted theft of the 'B Number One' Disc, and the attempted disruption of Tokyo by foreign agents had left his department under scrutiny by Councilor Takashi Hino's committee. Well, if politicians were going to go trying to make political gains at the expense of his department, then it only made sense to have a few politicians on his side. And doing a little favor for the Americans was a small price to pay. Besides, it would put a twist into that arrogant Councilor's tail. That, in itself, would be worthwhile. It would be worth a few extra man-hours. The only question remained who he would assign this little task. And for that, he really only had one choice. He buzzed his secretary. "Get me Captain Kachou at Bokutou station."
Bokutou Station
"I don't quite understand, sir. Why us?" Officer Miyuki Kobayakawa asked after the Captain had outlined details of the assignment."
"Commissioner Arizuka said that help from the Metropolitan Police was requested because there might be a security leak over at the office of Public Security Intelligence. And the Commissioner told me that when it came to handling unusual situations, he naturally thought of us." Kachou replied wryly. "He also said that he trusts that you will behave with full professionalism and courtesy. As do I," Kachou noted.
"So now we get to go play babysitter," Officer Natsumi Tsujimoto remarked. While she might have some reservations about this assignment, it would depend on how they behaved. Either way, she would do her job But if these people wanted to prove they could be trusted, the burden was on them and they were already in the hole on that one for obvious reasons. On the other hand, knowing that and still wanting to come took some brass, Natsumi figured, so that counted for something in her book.
"Hopefully, that's all that comes of it," their Captain replied. "But I'm sure you remember the young ladies who testified in front of the Diet the other month?" There wasn't much chance of anyone forgetting that anytime soon, he was quite certain.
"I thought Representative Kohara was going to have a stroke!" Tsujimoto recalled with some amusement.
"Yes," Kachou replied drily. "Well, afterward, they and a few other visitors were the targets of an attack by unknown agents. They hit a decoy bus and got the worst of it but it stands there is still the possibility of trouble. Don't take anything for granted."
"Yessir," Kobayakawa replied. "Do you think there could be a connection with the men who tried to steal the B Number One mod?" It didn't seem likely, given that the incident in question had taken place only a scant couple of weeks after the appearance of the Gate but perhaps the chaos surrounding the Gate made for a convenient opportunity.
"It's possible, I suppose." Detective Emoto's program for an economic terror attack would have brought Japan to its knees had the disc escaped them. Emoto's plan for attacking Bokutou station and his hacking of regional traffic control systems had been bad enough. "Disrupting Tokyo or threatening the economic destabilization of Japan might be tempting options for a country that wanted access to the Gate. But we'll save that speculation for some other time. For now, let's just concentrate on the task at hand." He looked over his people and then turned to Inspector Kinoshita, who at a nod, then began to outline the assignments.
"This will be a plainclothes operation. Kobayakawa and Tsujimoto, you two will be the guides. Futaba and Nikaidou, you two will stick close by…"
Camp Augustus
The following morning, Taylor discussed his plan to spend the day in Tokyo.
"Do you want to come, mom?" He asked.
Ruth shook her head. "No thanks. You know how I feel about being in a big city. I think I'll stay here with my grandson." She looked over at Galador. "Unless he wants to go too. In that case, I guess I'll tag along. What do you think? Should we spend the day shopping or should we see what we can get into around here? I guess that would be you keeping me out of trouble."
Her grandson giggled a bit at that and gave her a big hug.
Nayu's mother, on the other hand, was quite eager to see Tokyo. "It's an adventure," Indras told her daughter. "Your father would have been thrilled to see a city like this."
"I've taken the opportunity to arrange for you to have guides and an escort, Lieutenant," Colonel Mihara said. "They should be here shortly."
Indeed, it was only a few minutes later that a Toyota HiAce was waved through the main gate ahead of a Suzuki Wagon R and a pair of motorcycles. Shortly after that, a tall, lean woman dressed in the uniform of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Force approached Colonel Mihara.
"Inspector Kaoruko Kinoshita, here with guides and escorts from Bokutou Station, compliments of Commissioner Arizuka."
"Thank you, Inspector, and please extend my thanks to Commissioner Arizuka when you see him," Mihara replied.
"Of course."
"I realize this request is a little unusual and we appreciate your being here," Mihara said, looking around at the assembled officers. "As you all may be aware, any visitors from across the Gate are potentially at risk for any number of reasons." She turned to Taylor. "Lieutenant Taylor, here, is one of our specialists in contact situations." She smirked. "In fact, he just might be too good at it. Allow me to introduce Lady Panache Fure Kalgi, Aurelia Co Germanicus, Aenaire La Monnier, and Nayu Ro Nin. These ladies are Lieutenant Taylor's fiancees."
"Um… It's complicated," Taylor sighed, feeling all eyes on him.
"Hardly, My Lord," Panache smiled. "We proposed. You merely accepted our terms."
"And joining them will be Miss Indras Ro Nin, Miss Nayu's mother," Mihara added. "They're looking forward to experiencing Tokyo for themselves."
The officers assembled stared at them dumbstruck as they regarded the human woman, the Bunny girl, and the three elves. Officer Yoriko Nikaidou began to smirk as there were few things she liked more than whispers of gossip and romances. At the same time, she did feel just a touch of envy as well.
Tsujimoto considered it for a moment and then looked slyly at her partner and then over at officer Nakajima. The two had been pursuing love's bloom at a snail's pace for ages it seemed. "Well, good to see somebody knows not to let a good thing get away from him." This caused both Kobayakawa and Nakajima to blush and Nakajima to squirm just a little, while most of the other officers smirked. Inspector Kinoshita merely held the tiniest of smiles.
"Yes, well, in any case," Kinoshita said, looking at the group. "While plenty of foreign tourists come to Tokyo, this group will still stand out. I'm going to modify our original plan. Futaba, you, and Nikaidou will join Tsujimoto and Kobayakawa in direct escort rather than trailing. Officers Nakajima and Neganebashi will tail on motorbike. I'll alert officers Kaneko and Hayashi of the modification in the plan." She turned to address Taylor and the others directly.
"For your own safety, please follow any instructions these officers give you. I cannot stress this enough."
"Of course, Inspector Kinoshita," Taylor replied.
"It will be as you say," Panache agreed. Aurelia very reluctantly nodding her compliance.
"Good," In that case, have a pleasant trip in Tokyo and I will be here when you return.."
"So, where first?" Kobayakawa asked as they loaded into the HiAce.
"We should probably find a place where we can get some clothes more appropriate to our surroundings," Panache suggested. While nothing could be done to hide Bunny or Elven ears, it was also quite clear that what was considered 'normal' attire in Japan was vastly different from fashion in Falmart. They were already likely to attract an uncomfortable amount of attention. Some of it would be benign curiosity and some would be suspicion, though no one expected anything openly hostile. Anything that reduced the conspicuousness of the group was probably a good idea.
"That makes sense," Miyuki agreed. "I know a good place." She thumbed her radio. "Futaba, we'll head for Bingo, Shinagawa first."
"Roger that. We'll be right behind you."
After the women were fitted in more casual outfits, they moved on to book shopping. This was mainly at Taylor's suggestion as he wanted to bring back books on agriculture, engineering, and mechanics, as well as any other inventions that he thought could be of use, especially to the Lands of his House. Of course, there were some limits. As Chief Richardson had said, he was neither crazy nor a traitor, so no weapons technology. Certainly no gunpowder. Also, no steam power. The ancients understood the basic principles of steam and Taylor was in no great rush to see smokestacks billowing black smoke across Falmart. Only things that local craftsmen could build themselves. At Sergeant Kobayakawa's suggestion, they headed for Kinokuniya Books in South Shinjuku. It had a very large English language section. Of course, other books on everything from animal husbandry to fashion quickly piled up as well. Naturally, it wasn't all that odd that the accompanying officers indulged in sharing their own reading tastes, and Panache was intrigued by Kobayakawa's interest in street racing and custom engines but then again, they and Sergeant Tsujimoto all shared a passion for speed. That at least gave them a common interest to discuss.
There was just a little problem as Aenaire looked through the bridal fashions. Heads popped up as a loud cry pierced the air and Taylor turned the corner to see Aenaire standing puzzled while officer Futaba gently patted Nikaidou on the shoulder as the diminutive policewoman sobbed while clutching a copy of 'Brides' magazine.
"Um…. Is something wrong?"
"Christmas cake!" Yoriko bawled. "I'm nothing but leftover Christmas cake!"
Aenaire blinked and looked to Futaba. "William." She gestured to Taylor. "Has explained 'Christmas' to me. But I don't understand why she would call herself 'Christmas Cake'?"
Futaba explained softly as she consoled her partner. "Christmas Cake… A Christmas cake that isn't sold and eaten by the end of Christmas is too old and should be thrown out."
Aenaire looked stunned. "You mean she thinks that she's..."
"An old maid!"Nikaidou cried.
No wonder why the girl was so upset! "Oh! You are such a young girl to worry about that. You know… I did marry young."
Yoriko looked up at her. "What happened?"
"I was only in my two-hundred and thirties. I was naive and met a very handsome man. He was charming! Made me feel like I was living in a dream! So we married and I bore him a son… But he didn't want the responsibility of being a father so he simply went on a trip one day and decided not to come back. Don't misunderstand me. I have a handsome and loving son. But he's only in his seventies and he deserves a good father. William is mature enough to be that and I am mature enough to know THAT is the man I want to marry."
"You don't understand!" Yoriko replied. "I don't want to end up alone."
"For a young lady like you? I'm sure that won't happen." Indras spoke up.
"Are you sure?"
"Trust me!"
Nikaidou paused for a moment and allowed a fleeting fantasy to enter her mind, filling her with a sense of possibility. Perhaps it was the confidence that Indras seemed to exude but whatever it was, Yoriko seemed noticeably more at ease.
Without further incident, the rest of the book shopping wrapped up. Actually carting the large numbers of books into the van proved no problem as Aurelia and Tsujimoto had a friendly competition of strength which Aurelia did not quite concede but admitted that 'For a human', Natsumi was impressively strong and it might be interesting to see her wrestle an ogre, adding she would be inclined to wager on Tsujimoto in such a contest.
Stopping for lunch, even the trailing officers were invited. Having traded in some gold the previous day, Taylor volunteered to take up the tab, which was completely fine for Tsujimoto as they pulled up to the Hayashiya Steak House. It seemed more than fair, Taylor considered.
With the opportunity at hand, Panache was curious to ask the officers about themselves, their work, and their experiences.
"Well," Kobayakawa began. "I'm originally from Okayama. My mother was a nurse and my father was a Shinto priest and a widower. They dated for years and then, mother says his daughter, Achika became very ill. After that, my father seemed to draw back into himself and told my mother that he couldn't take a chance of fathering another child who would face the type of sickness that my sister suffered from. He would not risk my mother's safety, nor that of a child. He left, not knowing my mother was pregnant. I've never met him."
"What about you?" Tsujimoto asked.
"My father," Panache replied. "Is a Baron. He's stubborn and giving something up for someone else's sake?… Well, I nearly disowned him after he pulled strings to get my little brother into the army." Panache faced Kobayakawa and Tsujimoto squarely. "I've trained to be a knight for years. I pray my sword is always in the service of right but right or wrong, I am trained. My brother never had a desire to go to war, although he would do anything to please our father. I'm only fortunate that I didn't lose him. I only hope something good comes from the terrible mistake my people made."
Tsujimoto frowned. It was true that Panache seemed like a decent person but the day that the Gate opened was one that would always be burned into all of their memories. And wasn't she the enemy? As polite as she was, she had just admitted to belonging to the people who had brutally attacked their homeland and killed hundreds of helpless people and now Natsumi and her colleagues were supposed to play 'tour guide'.
"Mistake?" Tsujimoto asked. "Invading our homes and killing defenseless people was a mistake?"
Panache stared down at the table, shamefaced. Of those present, while Aurelia too was a citizen of the Empire, she did not represent the Empire the way Panache did. And Tsujimoto was right to be angry.
"Yes. A horrible mistake made because our people thought we could do as we wished. And because of our arrogance, hundreds of your people and hundreds of thousands of mine died. Not long ago, I was prepared to hate the people of your world for that. For the blood of the brother I thought I had lost and yes. I wanted blood for blood! And then," she looked to Taylor. "Someone showed me compassion I did not think I truly deserved. Wasn't I the enemy? But yes, Sergeant a mistake. Because if the men who ordered my brother and a hundred thousand other young men to march into your country are criminals in your eyes, that is fair. But the men who believed when our leaders told them to march are not criminals. At least not for that.
"My Princess wants peace. She risks being marked as a traitor by the Senate because she has seen that fighting you will destroy us. I believe in her goals. You may think I am trying to excuse my people. Perhaps I am. But what we did, it was the way things were. We accepted it without question. I'm not saying my people haven't earned their punishment. But please don't hate all of us for the decisions of a few."
Tsujimoto frowned. "It's not that simple. We were there! We saw our fellow officers dead in the streets, dying to try and protect scared people who never threatened anybody!"
Panache had to know. She had to see it through their eyes. "I wasn't there. I need to know what it was like."
"You really want to know?" Kobayakawa asked.
"I need to know. Sergeant. Please? I need to know."
Tsujimoto saw the sincerity in Panache's request. "Alright..."
Flashback: Tokyo, August 11, 2017, Day of the Invasion of Ginza
It had been a typical morning for Tsujimoto. Natsumi was still missing Lieutenant Tokairin, who had gone off on a trip to the Himalayas to gain further training in mountain rescue climbing but at least soon both she and Miyuki would be back at good old Bokutou Station. Having completed the Ranger course, Natsumi was back at Metropolitan Police Headquarters, testing out new equipment. Some of it was half as inventive as the things Miyuki created even. The first confused reports started coming into Headquarters shortly after mid-morning. Reports from confused and terrified street officers about 'monsters' and 'invaders wielding swords' and frantic cell phone calls from civilians. Calls for ambulances and sighting reports from patrolling helicopters. Initially labeled a 'riot', it was soon clear that the situation was far worse. Especially as two police helicopters were lost.
In Bokutou, Captain Kachou and other station commanders soon received instructions to divert all civilian traffic away from the bridges across the Sumida and to block those bridges from the Invaders, especially the southernmost bridges as these were the ones most immediately in the invaders' path. Initially, Higher authority was willing to concede the bridges between Chuo City and Harumi as HQ was effectively cut off and it was deemed that the invaders would storm the bridges before anyone could arrive. To Captain Kachou and the other station Captains east of the Sumida, this was not an acceptable answer. Of course, if Kachou had his two best officers back, he would have no doubt that they would reach the bridges in time but they would not be back for a couple more weeks. But they had to succeed anyway. Ceding Harumi was not acceptable. So Kachou sent Nakajima and his other motorcycle officers ahead to start commandeering tractor-trailer trucks and used those to barricade the Kachidoki and other bridges. It would only be later that Kachou and the other station Captains would be reminded that the Kachidoki, at least, was still functional as a drawbridge. But for now, his officers succeeded in blocking the bridges. It was horrible and heartbreaking to see and hear civilians trapped on the wrong side screaming in terror. The officers delayed as long as they could before completely blocking the bridges but as the invaders got closer, there was no alternative. Fortunately, the situation at the southern end of the Sumida was aided by the disinclination of the Commander of the Sixth Legion to push beyond the banks of the river and settling for securing the flank of the invasion.
Inside Tokyo itself, it was much worse. Hastily assembled riot police gathered and advanced with riot shields and teargas. While teargas was a new wrinkle, the close, body to body advance of the riot police was the bread and butter of the Saderan Imperial Army. Worse, auxiliaries utilized wind magic to break up the teargas clouds. In any case, the teargas only tended to irritate and anger Imperial troops.
As defense units were called in, a desperate siege revolved around Police Headquarters. Commissioner Arizuka personally assembled SWAT teams and snipers and organized them in the defense of Headquarters. During this time word was received that hostiles were closing on the Eitai Bridge with no opposition.
"I know of exactly TWO officers who might be able to get there in time and secure us that bridge," Inspector Kinoshita commented on hearing the news. "I don't care what it takes! Get me officers Tsujimoto and Kobayakawa NOW!"
Scant minutes later, Kobayakawa and Tsujimoto were in the main parking garage, donning armor vests.
"Get to Eitai Bridge and block it any way you can!" Kinoshita told them. "Once you secure the bridge, keep your heads down and try to stay safe. Got it?"
"Yes, ma'am," Kobayakawa answered, then turned to Natsumi. "Ready to go, partner?"
"You bet! Miyuki!"
"Good! Let's strap in!"
Kinoshita watched as the entrance to the street beyond was opened just long enough for Miyuki's car to storm out, scattering the nearest centuria in surprise, although at least two troopers failed to get out of the way in time.
"Stand by on Nitro!" Miyuki said as they tore through the street. Nearing the bridge, they found a single unmarked police car, tires punctured with arrows. Its surviving occupant, a plainclothes junior detective, his partner killed by an arrow. The troops trying to get past him were caught off guard as Miyuki told Natsumi to take the wheel while Kobayakawa opened up a murderous reign of fire on the Saderans who fled as the patrol car blew past.
Pulling to a stop next to the unmarked car, Tsujimoto got out to check on the plainclothesman.
"Sergeants Tsujimoto and Kobayakawa. Are you alright?"
"I'm alright," He nodded, catching his breath. "Detective Togusa. Nice to meet you." He jerked a thumb over in the direction of a fuel truck abandoned nearby. "My partner and I were going to use that tanker truck to block the bridge. He got caught trying to make a run for it."
"Come on! Get in!" The detective dove into the back seat as Miyuki swung the patrol car around, pulling up behind the tanker on the east side. Togusa and Kobayakawa firing on a freshly gathering group of invaders as Tsujimoto slipped into the cab.
"Gonna have to hotwire it. It'll just take a minute"
"Make it quick! Looks like they're serious, this time," Miyuki answered.
"Got it!"Natsumi exclaimed as the diesel engine growled to life. "Get clear, while I block the bridge." Tsujimoto turned the wheel about and cut the road, before jumping out on the safe side and running to where her partner and Togusa were waiting.
"That will only slow them down unless we can ignite the truck," Togusa observed. "Either of you ever make a molotov cocktail?" He asked, spying the gas can in the back.
"Now you're talking our language detective!" Kobayakawa answered. "I can puncture the tank. Of course, we don't want to be too close when it lights."
"Leave that to me, Miyuki," Natsumi assured. Once Togusa finished crafting the incendiary device, Natsumi waited while Miyuki took careful aim and punctured the tanker, causing gasoline to pour out. Breaking Togusa's radio open to provide a spark, Natsumi lit the wick, making sure it got a good start before giving their makeshift bomb a powerful toss, igniting the truck. With the way blocked by fire, the trio waited as around them, the world went insane.
"We waited on that bridge for three hours before relief came," Tsujimoto recalled.
"In the meantime, we lost scores of officers and hundreds of innocent civilians in the streets," Kobayakawa added. "And they never had a chance to understand why."
Panache looked at them, her eyes lowered. "Because of greed and arrogant pride. Officers… I have worked for years to protect the helpless, not attack them. Please… I ask you to accept my sincerest regrets and apologies and those of my Liege Lady, Princess Pina, and the Rose Order."
"Nations make war," Kobayakawa said. "People make peace.
Tsujimoto nodded and glanced around the table and made a circle gesture with her fork to include everyone sitting there. "We forgive you," she said. "And on your word, I think those of us at this table would be inclined to give your Princess and the rest of your Order the benefit of the doubt. But I don't think everyone is going to be that forgiving and the next person from your side I meet? Beyond what I've said? I'm not exactly going to trust them on sight."
"That's more than fair, Officer Tsujimoto," Panache replied. "To be honest, I would sooner trust you and your companions than some Imperials I've known.
"One thing is it's harder to make war on a friend than a stranger!" Nikaidou agreed.
"Thank you," Panache replied with true heartfelt thanks.
"So…" Futaba asked after taking a sip of tea. "Where else did we plan to go after this?"
"Well, Panache admitted. "We were interested in…"
"'Fashion' is the term?" Nayu suggested.
"Yes! And perhaps then of a more personal sort?" Panache agreed.
"I know just the place!" Nikaidou declared. "It's called the Silky Doll! Nene Romanova over at Central control told me about it. She knows the owner, Miss Sylvia, or at least she says she does. It's supposed to be a real classy place!" To Indras' amusement and satisfaction, Yoriko cast a sly look towards the head of the table. "I've actually been meaning to do some shopping there myself!" She declared.
Tsujimoto grinned. "Hey, Nakajima…"
"Sorry!" Nakajima hurriedly replied. "Better get back to shadowing. Right?" He asked his nodding comrade.
"Nonsense!" Hayase replied. "A close escort is best in these situations. You know that Inspector Kinoshita always expects us to use good judgment over a plan that doesn't fit the situation."
"She's right," Tsujimoto agreed. "Don't you think so, Miyuki?"
"Oh, definitely!" Miyuki agreed, having not quite forgiven the boys of Bokutou for their handling of the 'Flasher Mugger' case the previous month.
"What do you think, Lieutenant?" Nakajima asked Taylor.
"Every moment spent with a lovely lady is a privilege. Today I am very privileged."
Nakajima sighed. The afternoon was going to be a long one.
In the meantime, Panache pulled her groom-to-be aside and whispered a request into his ear. He nodded and placed a call to take care of it.
By the time the group returned to Camp Augustus, a very substantial amount of commerce had been concluded. With the escort mission completed, the officers from Bokutou were now off duty.
"If any of you would care to stay for dinner, you would be welcomed guests,"
"I'm afraid I'll have to decline," Inspector Kinoshita answered. Although lunch had been excellent and the conversation, pleasant, she was still Inspector Kinoshita. She could not allow herself the luxury of 'unwinding' around officers she was responsible for.
"Of course, Inspector. Perhaps we will have the pleasure of your company another day," Lady Octavia told her.
"Perhaps."
Most of the others did stay, however. Panache enjoyed sharing tales of battling goblins and developing a sense of kindredness with the women of Bokutou as they shared stories about their most interesting or exciting police cases. Honor and respect are qualities that know no one single flag.
The next day, it was time for Taylor's party to return to Janus. There were a great number of things to be done. As they passed through the checkpoint to enter the Gate, a florist's van delivered six-hundred roses, two-hundred Red, two-hundred Yellow, and two-hundred White roses, placed in memory of the fallen of Ginza.