Another chapter! I still do not own GATE or any other recognizable properties.

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Chapter 36: Demonstrations

Situation Room, White House, Washington DC

"You can well understand our people's need for action against these… thugs." The face of Prime Minister Shinzo Motoi was becoming increasingly worn with lines of worry. A compromise candidate after the fall of Prime Minister Hojo's government two months after the Invasion of Ginza, Shinzo reminded President Merwin of the proverbial 'long-tailed cat in a rocking chair factory'. Shinzo was not a man comfortable with taking risks but in the uncertain climate of post-Gate Japan, every choice was a risk. Merwin expected that sooner or later the political tides would shift and toss the Prime Minister right off the razor's edge he was poised upon and so did the Prime Minister. Merwin nodded back at the video screen.

"Of course, I understand. Hell! A few of our people are missing too!"

"Then you agree that strenuous action must be taken to demonstrate our resolve to the Saderan Empire?"

"Action, yes. But just what action? I understand that Her Imperial Highness, Princess Pina has not only been instrumental in attempting to facilitate peace talks but on her own risk and initiative, has recovered a number of our people?"

"That is what I have heard as well. Of course, we have not yet had an opportunity to confirm this since the earthquake." Shinzo looked frustrated.

"Then if that were to be proven so, then do we want to risk undercutting her and the peace faction of their Senate with a large scale punitive action?"

Shinzo's eyes flashed a touch of anger. Hypocrite! He thought. Still, whether he liked it or not, the Americans were the ones covering Japan's bets in this game. "You would have us do nothing? Or perhaps shall we grovel before these savages to get our people back?"

Merwin leaned forward with a hard stare. The Prime Minister seemed to visibly flinch and he backed down.

"My apologies, Mister President. It has been a difficult time. Still… We must send the Empire a message that we will not be toyed with!"

"Not the Empire, Mister Prime Minister," Secretary of State Waters spoke up. "The Emperor." he corrected. "Well, him and their Senate. Of course, we need to do this in such a way as we don't hand a propaganda victory to them by precipitating a massacre."

"Now," Merwin added. "While we don't want to undermine Princess Pina," he smiled. "This Prince Zorzal needs some wind taken out of his sails."

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs nodded. "We've drawn up a little Operation we're calling 'Operation Lancaster'. Originally, the plan had been drawn up as 'Operation Doolittle' but somebody with more tact had ordered it renamed. "Quick, surgical… It should drive our point home."

"I'm sure the footage will look very impressive on television, general."

"Yes," General Maclaren agreed "Of course, there are other people who need to be 'sent a message'," he added. "I can't go into details. Let's just say that some people need to be given a reason to rethink their lives..."

Akusho District, Sadera

Inwardly, Captain Harrington frowned. After what had happened in the Emperor's Palace, everyone knew some sort of retaliation was in the offering. Logically and rationally, he, Major Nyutabaru, and Lieutenant Theisman all understood this. Emotionally; however, they all felt the brass had taken a piss-poor time to do it. Sadera was still digging itself out from the earthquake. The smoke from fires could still be seen rising over the city Akusho was in somewhat better shape with the advanced warning Tuwal had provided coupled with Major Nyutabaru's quick action had prevented many casualties and many fires but even here all hands were busy digging out survivors and containing the few fires that had sprung up.

The one lucky break for everyone in the district was that the Imperial Army was far too busy in the rest of Sadera to start nosing around and inquiring why Akusho, of all places, was less of a disaster than the rest of the city. Akusho had pretty much been used to being its own city. A city that had its laws imposed from its powerful next-door neighbor but whose enforcers were normally too intimidated to go into Akusho in any official capacity at all. There had been a few punitive incursions into Akusho over the centuries and those had been by multiple legions but nowadays, spare legions were hard to come by and no one in Akusho, the team at Bletchley Park included, wanted to give any incentive to the government to find the troops required to conduct a 'Spring Cleaning' In the narrow streets of Akusho, even a troop equipped with modern weapons could find itself cut off and trapped by an enemy that was patient enough and ruthless enough. But now the need to respond to what had transpired at the palace meant bringing in more people and running the risk of possible exposure.

Harrington was not worried about Willis and Jansen. The two affable Air Force officers and their equipment wouldn't likely cause much trouble, although stories in their involvement in the killing of the Fire Dragon had gotten out into the local rumor mill and there was, even among all the chaos and work to be done following the earthquake, at least one of their girls had loudly and firmly announced her intention to have them before they left Akusho. This brought a much-needed touch of amusement even, especially as the two skinny officers still volunteered what time they had to join in search and rescue parties and clearing debris alongside everyone else. But soon, additional Special Forces troops would be arriving and there was a risk that their activities could possibly be tracked back to Akusho and if that happened, a great many people would be made to pay for it.

Personally, Captain Harrington had advised that only his people should operate in Akusho and he would have preferred to wait until the city calmed down a bit but he was informed that other teams would need access to the Akusho safehouse.

"Sorry Captain," Lieutenant Nash apologized. "We've got a list of names and they want us knocking on doors as soon as possible, 'Operation Spartacus' begins tonight."

"Let's hope it goes off better than the original."

Italica

In a makeshift hospital, the casualties of the earthquake from Italica and some from neighboring communities were treated and cared for under the watchful eye of Henry Blake and his hastily assembled collection of doctors, nurses, healers, and other volunteers. Colonel Blake and Captain Newsome had been joined by Captain Pak and Captain Ho, giving at least a little respite to the two weary surgeons. As was the case with the search and rescue parties, there was no shortage of volunteers to help out. Again, many Inferni stepped forward and took instruction on how to dress wounds or volunteered to cook, clean, empty bedpans or anything else required. Many of them saw this as a chance to show that they were more than a group to be tolerated but actually as valuable members of the community. As it was, the Church Mother and the High Lady of Clans both worked with Colonel Blake and Countess Myui to make the hospital the center of all relief activities, such as when an Inferni teacher named Grace led the orphan charges under her care to take shelter there, keeping especially close to a young Wolfboy she would later reveal was born with a hearing loss as she spoke to the boy she called Peter, through hand signals and helped keep him and the other children calm as his brother clung to her as well.

The merchant, Lyudo, led the city's merchant cartels in offering his wagons as ambulances. Even some among the convicts of Italica distinguished themselves working to clear rubble as the search for survivors continued.

Tired from hours of digging, the members of 'House Taylor' as some called it, paid a visit to the recovery wards to see the to women, Abigail and Kas, whom they had rescued. It was a welcome respite, especially for Taylor and Panache, who now waited for news from other hamlets in the area. They were escorted by Corporal Klinger, who glanced around as Panache and the others formed a veritable box around Taylor.

"Here we are, sir. They insisted on having cots next to each other. I guess this sort of thing if it don't tear folks apart, it really brings 'em together."

"I think you're right, Corporal. Thank you," Taylor nodded. They needed this. The Inferni girl, Abigail looked up and gently roused her comrade. Strangely as the Thraken looked up at him, her eyes showed no sign of familiarity even though she had spoken to him. Also, the eyes looked different, somehow. They were still a violet hue but the electrical fire he had seen in them before was absent. Though certainly the conditions at the time probably affected her memory and his recollection as well.

"Hello again," He told them. "We're happy to meet the two of you under better circumstances than the first time."

"Have we met before?" The Thraken asked, looking at them. The local rumor mill had been quite thorough in describing Lord Itami and Lord Taylor and words of their more recent exploits had painted them as larger than life figures. Of course, if this was Taylor, then his companions were his ladies, led by the Knight, Lady Panache. It was a thrilling and also an intimidating moment.

"I'm sure the light makes things look a little different here than down under that building," Taylor replied. The girls' eyes widened at this. "We just wanted to make sure you were alright."

"And you have."

Taylor turned to Aurelia as she spoke. Except that the Bunny Girl had an odd smile, the smile of someone who knew a secret and her eyes, normally a dazzling green now had that same electrical spark that the Thraken girl's eyes had earlier.

'Aurelia' held up a hand. "Peace. I mean no threat or harm to you or Aurelia."

"Who are you?" Nayu demanded, warily.

"I am Miritta," she said simply.

"Goddess!" the Thraken girl exclaimed, She started to rise but a hand from Miritta stopped her.

"Rest, my faithful Kas. You have been so faithful to me. I wish to be here for you." She turned to Taylor and Panache. "I cannot inhabit this body for long or it would be harmful to Aurelia. As I said, I do not wish that. What I wish is to grant you my favor in return for saving Kas and Abigail."

"You're welcome," Taylor answered as if that was all.

Miritta let out the smallest shy smile that seemed out of place yet absolutely adorable on Aurelia. "I am afraid that my offering of this boon is not simply a matter of gratitude, though I am very grateful. Kas has been very devoted in my service and Abigail's people have been quite generous to my followers. I wish to grant both of them a boon Your people are strong and many and they could offer sanctuary to both the Inferni, who have been friends of my temple, and to the followers of my true temple. Further, you are becoming known in this world. Yourself and Lord Itami: Your deeds speak well of you and with the blessings of the gods, your lands will prosper. I will give Kas to serve your House as Guardian and as my representative. I ask that with your blessing, Kas will build a temple, the sign that My believers will be welcome in your lands. And again, that the Inferni will know sanctuary in your lands. If you were to allow this, I will be able to reward both Kas and Abigail as they deserve and I will in exchange promise your tree will be strong and fruitful."

Panache frowned. "What about Aurelia?"

"I offer my blessings to all of your House."

"My Dearest," Aenaire said. "It would be wise to accept her offer."

Panache looked at Nayu and they both nodded. "It is a small cost. The favor of one of the gods of Falmart is not to be lightly spurned," Nayu told Taylor.

"If I recall, it was Miritta who supposedly cursed an entire company back at Alnus," Taylor observed.

The goddess shook her head. "They violated the sanctuary of my temple. Well… what was supposed to be my temple. Even if they had been led astray, they were still mine to protect and I did release those men as soon as their Captain apologized," Miritta pointed out.

Taylor rubbed his eyes and looked at Kas and Abigail. "Well, I suppose I should ask what the two of you think about all this?"

"Meritta is most kind and generous!" Kas replied. "I will gladly serve her wishes and will serve your House well."

Abigail smiled. "God's will is kind."

Taylor thought the terms were not unreasonable. At least no one was wanting him to sign a marriage agreement. He admitted that Kas and Abigail were both attractive but he thought he had his hands full with four. "Not to complain too much but why not Itami?" While Itami had not yet managed to hook up with any titles or estates granted outside of the Uial and the great wealth given to him in the form of the 'Dragon Seed' was currently more theoretical than practical, any groups declared under his protection could also be assumed to be under Rory's protection as well.

"Well… Rory is just a little scary…" Miritta admitted.

25,000 Feet Above Sadera

Flying nearly five miles above the surface of Janus, some twelve-thousand feet above where a human pilot would require oxygen, 'Lil Rory' orbited the city, awaiting instructions from its handlers, who were monitoring the flight from a warehouse in Akusho. The MQ-9 Reaper drone with an apostle approved drawing of Rory Mercury, herself, sitting with a smirk atop the head of a dead dragon painted on its side was cruising far above the visual limits of ground-based lookouts as Captain Wilis and Lieutenant Jansen awaited word to commence their attack runs.

They had carried out two practice runs tonight but now the word had come down: "Commence Lancaster". At this, the operators banked their craft slightly to the east, towards the Imperial Senate building. This was the primary target. The strike on the Senate had to be carried out first for, If for any reason, the mission were interrupted or had to be aborted, the message to the Imperial Senate HAD to be delivered. To make the Allies meaning perfectly clear, two 500 pound GBU-12 Paveway bombs had been selected. These laser-guided weapons carried the warhead from the Mark 82 Mod 7 fragmentation bomb. There was no need for an explosive charge, the spray of shrapnel across the Forum would be more than sufficient without risking destroying the entire building or possibly starting an uncontrollable fire. Of course, there was more at stake than altruism: An out of control fire could be blamed on a thousand unrelated causes. This message had to be unmistakable. These bombs were designed to penetrate bunkers and lightly armored vehicles and would make a clear demonstration that the Allies could wipe out the entire Senate in a heartbeat if they chose. 'Lil Rory' descended gradually as Willis and Jansen lined up their attack run.

"Course steady."

"Targeting laser locked."

"Bombs armed and ready."

"Launch!"

"Bombs away!"

The technicians watched as the onboard low light camera tracked the bombs for thirty-eight seconds until they impacted, slicing through the dome of the Senate, both impacting within ten feet of the center of the forum. The fragmentation warheads detonated, throwing hot shrapnel across the Forum. The building itself would be habitable and repairable but the reminders of this night would long linger.

But this was only half of the night's deliveries. The second was intended as a much more personal slap against His Imperial Highness, Prince Zorzal. Here was a man who seemed personally inclined to war… Provided that he was safe from harm. Tonight, the Allied governments wanted to drive home the point that he was far from untouchable. In the files that Janus Theater Intelligence had assembled from interviews with detainees and prisoners as well as agents and direct observations, it was noted that after his successful campaign against the Warrior Bunnies, Zorzal had commissioned two very impressive statues of himself mounted on horseback and wearing a conqueror's laurels. Tonight, Zorzal was going to lose his heads. For this, one R9X missile had been allotted for each statue. The R9X was a special non-explosive missile designed in environments where a desired target was precipitously close to innocents. Dubbed the 'Flying Ginsu', the R9X was equipped with six metal blades designed to spring out and lock into position just before impact, creating a kinetic kill weapon whose area of effect could be limited to the length of its blades.

With the successful strike on the Forum completed, 'Lil Rory' turned towards Prince Zorzal's palace and the operators prepared for the first of two attack runs.

"Left or right?"

"Take the right one first."

"Roger that. First right and the other will be left."

"Not for long… Anyway, descending into our run. Stand by for targeting lock."

"Locking on now."

Launch three."

"Three's away. Running true." After sixteen seconds, the missile, plunging downward, struck its target. The head of the statue was shattered into tiny pieces.

"Now the other one."

"Roger that… What a way to lose one's head."

"You didn't just say that. Alright, here we go. One last time."

"Target acquired."

"Launch four."

"Four's away… Looks like we were a little off."

"Did we miss?"

"No. still a clean decapitation I think. One more pass for verification?"

"I'm on it… Yep. The heads are rolling tonight." The video showed that while the aim was just the slightest bit behind, causing the missile to shatter most of the statue like a divine hammer, one of the blades had clipped the statue's head, severing it cleanly.

"She came, she saw, and she reaped. 'Lil Rory', returning to base."

The Imperial Senate, The Following Afternoon

In the morning following the bombing, it was announced to the people that the Imperial Forum had been damaged as a result of further after shakes from the Great Earthshake as it was now being called. Not that much of the public cared. Their own immediate problems were much more pressing on their attention. In the meantime, Her Imperial Highness, Princess Pina, with the tacit approval of the Emperor, had taken steps to deal with the growing crisis in the quake-ravaged Capital. Her first order was to activate the Company of the Blue Rose. Though still in training, Pina believed they were up to the tasks she had planned for them. In calling upon them to meet the current crisis, it would be a learning experience like nothing their instructors could possibly give them. With her experienced knight currently needed either in Italica or protecting the Jade Palace, Pina, based upon the recommendation of the instructors, appointed a promising young woman of seventeen years named Amaretto to be the acting commander of the Blue Rose. Pina assigned half of the available instructors to advise Amaretto and the other senior students while the other instructors were directed to begin assembling the next class, for the moment to be designated as the Company of the Pink Rose.

The Company of the Blue Rose was charged with getting the main streets of the city cleared and opened to allow for food and other aid to be brought into ruined neighborhoods, aid that would soon be coming as Pina did not wait for the Senate before ordering Hamilton to buy up whatever wheat and whatever other food that could be had to be brought into the devastated city. She had gone further, however, and upon the advice of one of her old tutors, a man named Kasmiz, she contacted Lord Cicero and other members of the Senate's 'Peace Faction' and outlined her ideas for city relief and encouraged them to come forward and offer whatever they could, be it money, manpower, equipment or supplies to help in relieving the city. Several of them were able to offer up contingents of their own retainers who would aid the City Guard in curbing lawlessness in the streets. Cicero had gone further, using his contacts to arrange for several mercenary companies to assemble just outside the city's boundaries, should they be needed to suppress any mass violence that might erupt amid the chaos. This had the added advantage of making these men unavailable to be hired by individuals possibly with other aims.

Pina understood that danger of a coup or an uprising was a real possibility. The danger came from two possible sources: Genuinely terrified people who even now wanted to know 'Who had so offended which of the Gods' into striking out against them with such anger and violence.' and 'Whose head do we give the Gods in begging for their mercy.' Pina wasn't sure about the gods but she was fairly confident most of the temples would prefer to help calm the people although they would surely attempt to suggest that additional tithings might help the gods to look more favorably upon everyone. Most of the temples were, after all, as invested in the same system as anyone else… With the exception of a few odd cults and splinter temples of course. Though some people were actively looking at the state of the temples themselves, perhaps wondering if a War among the Gods' was at hand and trying to figure out which Gods had the edge.

This threat was diffuse and therefore unlikely to materialize unless it found a specific agreed-upon culprit to blame for the people's ills. There were a couple she might be willing to toss to the mob for their arrogance and blind stupidity but while the satisfaction would be immense, it would also be temporary as a mob, once started, did not sate at a mere couple of heads.

The other threat was more dangerous: That an existing individual or group already desiring to overturn the state might take advantage of the current situation to incite an uprising. Pina had no intention of allowing such an opportunity to present itself.

There were other measures which needed to be taken. All the available manpower that could be organized was needed to combat the fires burning in the city. Also, Pina intended to visit the Way of the Gods and speak to the heads of the Temples to see what help they could be persuaded to offer. But first, in the aftermath of the attack on the Forum during the night, the Senate had hurried into emergency session. It was odd, Pina thought, that when the rest of the Capital was in peril, the majority of the Senators were content to take their time and 'not act with unseeming hurry' but when they felt a threat to their own necks, the Senators had rushed to convene. It was a lesson that she would not forget: That while there were Great Men among the Senate, there were far more small men who would gladly sacrifice anyone so they could keep their now perforated seats.

Pina watched as Marquis Casel took to the floor to speak. While he faced Emperor Molt, the Senator's target was another person seated up in the gallery. Zorzal's face was still bandaged and swollen after the vicious beating he had received at the hands of Sergeant Kuribayashi. The anger from his humiliation still clearly burned, now stoked even higher by the destruction of his triumphal statues that stood outside his palace. While Zorzal did not know how the barbarians had carried out their cowardly attack, he was certain they were responsible somehow.

Personally, Pina would have agreed with him. He had enraged the Japanese officials greatly with his treatment of Noriko. They clearly intended for him the same message they had just sent these Senators: That Japan and her Allies considered the persons of their citizens sacrosanct and that they would punish whoever stood in the way of recovering their people.

Of course, this was not something the average citizen in the street could be expected to understand so it was not surprising when Pina's aide, Shandy reported that a rumor was circulating that the Crown Prince had offended Palapon, the God of Vengeance. In the days ahead, Pina's sister Claudia would pay a considerable tithing to Palapon's temple to not refute this rumor.

"I have a question, Your Majesty," Casel began, "According to Lord Cicero, the Japanese emissary and their allies have offered to make peace and even held several meetings. If that is the case, then how do you explain this!" He gestured to one of the pillars where chunks of steel were still embedded in it, and then to the hole in the dome of the Forum. "Why did they attack this place, the center of our government and its laws?"

Molt remained silent. Frankly, he was quite tired of all this.

"If you will not answer, Your Majesty," Casel said after a moment. "Then I will. It all started with those people we captured from the other side of the Gate." Now, the Senator DID throw a scathing glance at Zorzal. "The moment they found out about it, they beat Prince Zorzal. Why is that?"

To her dismay, Pina saw that many in the Senate seemed confused and puzzled at this, with some actually expressing their disbelief at this. Pina rose from her seat and stepped toward Marquis Casel. But it was to the Senate at large she addressed her response to.

"The reasoning is so obvious that a blind man could see the answer and the deaf could hear it and recognize its truth," she said in a scathing tone. "Have we become so arrogant and blind that we cannot recognize those same qualities we praise in ourselves in others? Do we believe that we, alone, are capable of pride in our people, alone in valuing loyalty to our own? Do we believe that others will not respond if we strike at their land and their people just as WE have always done when outsiders threaten the security of our nation?" Many Senators flinched as if flailed by her words. She spared them not, for it was past time to stop playing games.

"Of course, we do! We have always ignored the pride of others. The Empire has always enjoyed the power and privilege to disregard the wishes of our neighbors and their feelings. Now, we are face to face with a people that are strong enough to demonstrate their resolve that their demands be heard. They will not conveniently go away so we may enjoy a blissful ignorance. As we would demand of any who dared make slaves of the citizens of Our own Empire so Japan and her Allies now demand of us. The only difference is that they are willing to offer us a choice: To live in peace and gain from their knowledge or fight them and bring the avalanche upon us!"

Seated among the Senators, Septimus Del Marus sat considering the Princess's words. It was obvious that Her Highness, though speaking from conviction, was truly naive. War did not allow for enemies to show compassion. The nation that failed to destroy its enemies when it could, would inevitably be destroyed by them given time. It was a fundamental truth. So if Japan wanted peace, then they had a reason. The Senator did not know if that reason was that they wanted to keep the Empire intact as a slave state or perhaps THEY had other enemies? Was that it? Did these off-worlders propose Peace because they had other, more dangerous foes elsewhere? Whatever the reason, Septimus thought it might be possible to wait the invaders out. While not as thrilling as the stories of the Empire's Heroes from ages past, it was better than seeing his son become a slave, himself. He had much to consider.

What Septimus did not consider and what would have given him grave worry was that the eyes of Prince Zorzal were now upon him. It would have disturbed the Senator greatly what thoughts were going on behind those eyes. Nor did he know that past sins would soon demand a reckoning.

Villa of Cassius Sol Verras

The smoke could be seen for miles. The estate of a prosperous slave-dealer had been reduced to stone and ashes. It would be a perplexing sight that greeted the local patrol when they came to property was found to be abandoned. No dogs or horses or wagons. No slaves were found in the pens, even though Verras normally had a couple of score even when his inventory was low. The family and servants were all missing The only bodies found were those of some of Verras' henchmen and his private soldiers that he employed. Most of them apparently killed by an expert hand, a single slash across the throat.

There was no evidence of a slave revolt. If there had, there clearly should have been slaves among the dead or signs of wounded. There were just the few found dead and those that were missing.

One body that was found was different from all the others. The hulking former centurion who served as Verras' foreman was found dead under a tree, a dagger driven deep into his ribs, obviously by someone very strong. This was further perplexing because although a slave might harbor such hate, any slave strong enough for this would likely have been sold off to the mines fairly quickly. The Imperial silver mines at Argentus always needed strong labor and the Empire always needed silver. Especially now.

What was much more worrisome was the note found pinned to the tree above the body. Written recognizably in both Popularii and in the High Tongue was a warning:

We are Spartacus.