Finally a new chapter. I encourage all of my readers to offer constructive criticism. As always: Read, review, and hopefully, enjoy!

Chapter 45: The Wind Rises

The White House

"Alright Henry," The President leaned back, carefully studying his Secretary of State. "Let's have it."

"It appears that the Saderan Emperor, Molt, has taken seriously ill. His son, Zorzal has invoked his standing as Molt's heir to exercise Imperial authority."

"That wingnut?" General O'Neill questioned in disgust.

"The one and the same,"

"How much do we actually know?" President Merwin asked carefully.

"Princess Pina notified Ambassador Russell of this and also requested that our Marines provide a corpsman if she could get permission for them to examine her father. After her return from the Imperial Palace, she said that her brother will not allow such an examination."

"And the status of negotiations?"

"According to Her Highness, her brother instructed that the negotiations should continue but stated that ''progress would be slow'."

"He's stalling." General Ramsey noted.

General Conyers nodded in agreement. "That egg-sucking little bastard actually thinks he can beat us."

"Why don't we just take him out now?" The Secretary of Homeland Security, James House asked.

Merwin suppressed a sigh. "Because Executive Order 12333 specifically forbids it. You know that Jim."

"They don't know that, Mr. President," House replied.

"The point is we know it. I will not undermine our own rules just because it might be convenient to do so."

"Yes, Mr. President."

"It's bad enough I've been getting memos from the Energy Department about shipping our Nuclear waste over there." Merwin gave a withering look at Energy Secretary Dalton. "This is NOT the Old West, people! We purport ourselves to be a civilized nation and by God! If I have anything to say about it and I think I do! We will ACT like one!"

He calmed himself. "That said, while I may not authorize taking the little bastard out, there's nothing to say he has to be comfortable. If he wants to play games, we'll play games." He looked at General MacLaren. "My grandson has an expression. I want you to 'Pwn this noob'."

"Consider the noob pwned, sir."

"Good. Now tell me about 'Operation Stentor'."

General MacLaren nodded. "The main transmitter is up at Alnus and a second transmitter is now up in the city of Italica. A smaller transmitter is running in the Akusho District of the Imperial Capital itself. Aside from Alnus and the Alnus Town settlement, we've been shipping in solar-powered radios ready to be distributed in Italica, Akusho, and the local villages our troops have been patrolling. Radio Falmart will be going on air 0600 hours tomorrow, Alnus time."

"And just what sort of programming are we talking about?" The Secretary of Commerce asked.

"A general sampling of music, information... As limited as it is, we expect the weather forecasting ought to be of particular interest."

"Politics?"

"We intend to steer as clear of politics as much as we can… At least for now. Just in case we actually can get anywhere with Prince Snorkel, we'd as soon not sabotage ourselves or any prospective allies we might have by being blatantly confrontational. Of course, that can change overnight."

"What else?"

"Leaflet drops, introducing ourselves to the neighborhood and to remind everyone that we can go where we want when we want. And we've started contacting Warner Brothers and other companies to borrow some of their assets and talent."

"Oh?"

"It seems that native Warrior Bunnies strongly identify with Bugs Bunny. We've asked WB to produce some appropriate material."

"Bugs is a Marine, after all," General Conyers chuckled.

"Good. We might want to use some of that material back home. We were about to announce that we were going to be able to start drawing down our forces soon but with Mussolini junior running things out there, I don't think we can do that. And Senator Dirrell is positioning himself as the voice of 'concern and reason' the longer it takes to get most of our people home."

"What about Vinick?"

"Had a long, polite call with Senator Vinick. It's a bit disturbing that I'm drawing more flak within my own party than from across the aisle."

"Not much Dirrell can do at the moment."

"For now."

"Mr. President…" The Secretary of State began uncomfortably.

"Henry?"

"I realize that it's better than going back to wholesale slaughter but a propaganda campaign is still a war. No matter how well we think we're doing, there will be consequences."

The President nodded. "You told me when I first took office that 'The perfect solution is a political fantasy. So we do the best we can and live with the consequences.' Well, that's where we are now and we'll just have to do what we can and hope that the consequences are something we can live with."

Imperial Palace, Sadera

It was all his now. Zorzal frowned as he studied a map of the Empire. Well… almost all, he thought sourly as he glanced upon the mark of Alnus Hill. His people's sacred destiny… In the hands of barbarians. In reality, for all the blustering about 'Sacred Alnus', it was a speck on the map. But without it, he could sweep away the Island Kingdoms, conquer the Southern Continent, and wrest the lands of the Orient and he would still be a failure.

And worse, the savages at Alnus subverted Imperial honor and mocked the proper order of things… they mocked him. They had humiliated him before his father and they humiliated him in his own palace and it burned his very soul.

But while he longed to smash them and see them begging for his mercy, that was not possible yet. He needed a unified Empire behind him, ready to bear whatever it took to destroy the invaders and take the humiliation back to their cities. If pressed, Zorzal privately admitted to himself that he would settle for taking Alnus and closing the Gate forever, but that would be a weak stance and not his preferred choice.

Either way, it would take time before he was ready to defeat the off-worlders. First, he needed to secure and consolidate his power. The Empire was a much more fragile edifice than its citizens supposed. Previous Emperors had made too many deals, too many bargains to hold the Imperial throne. While no foreign nation existed in Falmart that could refuse the Empire, too many nobles wielded too much autonomy in their lands. Lands that they supposedly administered in the Emperor's name but which had become too independent from the Emperor's control.

Emperor candidates and Emperors made deals for support in the Senate and paid the price of the bargain long after. That needed to stop. There were too many nobles. He would fix that. While his supporters deserved reward for their loyalty, it would be as his agents. What grace he could bestow, he would take away if it suited him.

His thoughts were interrupted as Senator Podawan jabbed a meaty finger down at Alnus. "I will say to Your Highness what I've been saying to His Majesty for months! We should strike now! We can have two hundred thousand men assembled and ready to march on Alnus within the month. Trample the enemy underfoot and pin them with cold steel! These outworlders aren't 'gods'! We just need to press them hard!"

"And of course you'll lead them from the front!" Legate Callon retorted in disgust. "Yes… We can assemble two hundred thousand half-trained boys and old men in perhaps two or three months and you can march them to their doom!"

"That's defeatist talk!"

"Is it?," Callon pointed at Senator Godasen. "Godasen had over a hundred thousand men! All trained Legions! YOU are talking about boys! Young boys who hardly know which end of the sword to hold! It will be a disaster!"

"Enough!" Zorzal commanded the two old soldiers. As much as he disliked Du Callon, Zorzal admitted to himself that his judgment was more sound than that of the bellicose Podawan. Simply throwing men at Alnus would not defeat this enemy. He needed the power they had or he needed another weapon. Then he would crush them.

Still, Callon's attitude would be detrimental to good order. Zorzal studied the map and pointed to a city in the northwestern reaches of the Empire. "Legate Callon, you will go to Noviomagus. Take command of the garrison and the training center there. You will have command of four legions."

"Your Highness?" Callon asked warily.

"I need an experienced soldier to make sure our neighbors are not tempted into mischief in this dangerous time."

Callon knew better than to question any further. He was being summarily and deliberately cast out from any meaningful role in military policy and further being exiled from Sadera. He well knew the Prince's reputation back from when Zorzal had commanded the campaign into the Veldt. Callon was in no position to argue.

"I presume I'm to leave immediately?"

"Yes, Legate. You may take your leave now."

Callon saluted and left. He had preparations to make. It was time for his family to leave Sadera.

Zorzal watched the Legate leave, now surrounded only by people he deemed loyal to him. Of course, Podawan was as dumb as a brick, but he was loyal and willing to fight. Just as long as he took his orders, all was well. But now, with Herm, Mudra, Kalasta, and Gimlet, who Zorzal had made Commander of his Special Security Force, Zorzal was surrounded by people who owed their loyalty to him. Podawan and Godasen were members of the old guard perhaps, but he knew how to handle them. Pride and ambition were much easier to manage than principle.

"We WILL find their weakness," Zorzal insisted.

"Yes, sire," Herm agreed and gestured to Mudra and Kalasta. "We will launch small attacks with troops disguised as bandits. We can test ideas on how to fight them. They seem to be sending small numbers in and out of small villages. We might be able to ambush some of them."

"Good. Bring me prisoners, if possible."

"Yes, sire." Herm looked forward to it for a number of reasons. The off-worlders had hurt and humiliated him and he would pay them back.

"In the meantime, Gimlet," Zorzal continued. "We need more money to build the army. We will start with the estates of every noble who failed to return from the expedition. That should be simple enough. After that, I have a list for you…"

Near The Estate of Legate Germanicus

In the days since leaving Italica, Taylor had become more relaxed about riding a horse. It helped that Panache had picked a very calm mount for him. He gently patted Lexington as the palomino mare trotted along.

One nice thing about riding a horse is that no one asks you to parallel park.

Aurelia was content to ride alongside her lord but ever since the dawn had risen that morning, she felt her heart beating faster.

"We will reach my father's home at Ridgehall soon!"

"I imagine it will be quite a surprise for your family."

"Oh…" Aurelia smiled, glancing off to one side. "They already know, my lord."

Taylor followed her glance and chuckled. He nodded to Aurelia.

"Alright, Argenta! I know it's you!" Aurelia called. "It's alright!"

Taylor leaned over, speaking in a low voice. "I assume she's not alone?"

Aurelia nodded. "They will not come out until my sister tells them."

Sure enough, a Warrior Bunny with silver fur poked her head up from the nearby brush. The Marines tensed up but kept calm while the escorting knights waited, unperturbed.

"Argenta," Aurelia greeted fondly. "This is Mother Octavia's heir, Lord Taylor."

"My Lord," Argenta greeted cordially but then turned her focus back to her sister. "It is good to see you both! We were so relieved when Princess Pina's knights brought word from Father and Lady Octavia! We'd all thought you'd been killed!"

"It is a long tale but for now, what matters is that Lady Octavia and our sister and brothers are well and that Father is alive and being cared for."

"Very well sister." Argenta let out a singular whoop at which a dozen armed Bunny Warriors stood up, six on either side of the column. Merisa signaled her knights to remain calm.

"Damn skipper," one of the Marines observed. "That's scary."

Taylor nodded as beside him, Nayu eyed the Warrior Bunnies. Nayu liked Aurelia, but she was not ready to blindly trust these other Bunnies with the safety of her future husband at stake.

After a minute, Nayu began to relax just a little as Aurelia hugged her sister.

"My Lord!" Aurelia announced with pride. "Our family!" She turned to face a reddish furred Bunny standing cautiously, almost hesitantly behind the column. "Rhoda! Come here! I have been away for months and I have missed you, my sister!"

The shy bunny stepped forward and hugged her long-missing sibling.

"It's alright, Rhoda. I'm home! I'll explain everything as soon as we get back to the house."

"In the meantime, My Lord," Argenta addressed Taylor. "We have a great number of guests who will be very glad to see you and your men."

"Are all the workers here former soldiers?" Merisa asked Aurelia as they neared the main house.

"Many of them. While we do have some slaves working the fields and in domestic roles, many soldiers that served with my father have retired here with their families."

Argenta nodded. "As per Father's instructions, all of our slaves have been freed. Those that have chosen to stay on are paid laborers now." Perhaps it was not yet the way of the Empire, but it was the way things would be and all things considered, Germanicus agreed with his wife that it was a very small price to pay for her heir and the advantages that a good relation with his people could provide.

Aurelia signaled the rest of the group as she brought her horse to a halt. Waiting at the main entrance to Ridgehall was her mother. If Videlia was a little shorter than her daughters, that did nothing to diminish her aura of authority. Certainly, the minor detail that she wasn't human and technically merely a favored concubine did nothing to diminish her presence. The human workers and overseers all clearly showed deference to her.

"Hail, Videlia, chosen of Germanicus."

"Hail! My daughter! I see you have brought company." She eyed the group with wary but curious eyes.

Aurelia dismounted and knelt before her mother. "Yes, mother. I also bring word from Father and From Lady Octavia. They are both safe!"

Videlia allowed herself a smile. "Yes. It was a great relief when Dyet presented me with messages from Our Lord and Sister-wife. But any further word is most welcome!"

"Also!" Videlia's eyes rose as she heard the delight and pride in Aurelia's voice. "I have the honor of presenting Lady Octavia's declared heir. My Lord?"

Taylor dismounted and saluted, clenched fist over his heart. "My Lady."

Videlia studied him for a moment, carefully noting the signet ring. Then she looked over at Aurelia, who almost seemed to glow.

"Sister is a very good judge of character." Videlia grinned. "You'll be fun!"

"Mother!" Aurelia objected.

"Oh! Relax dear. You know I've never had eyes for any man other than your father!" Her eyes twinkled. "Your sisters, on the other hand… I did teach you to share, my dear."

As Aurelia flushed and her sisters tilted their heads intrigued, Taylor eyed Videlia ruefully. Octavia was right. My Mother… The Rabbit.

Trolling aside, Videlia was as gracious as Lady Octavia and equally possessing a sharp mind and a commanding presence. She watched the video message that Germanicus and Octavia had made, noting the health and general good humor of her spouse and her co-wife and the children.

"I understand their concerns," she told Taylor afterward. "In truth, they may know more about the course of matters in the Empire than those of us here. But we are ready to welcome our family home and will protect our family from anyone that threatens it."

"Amen," Taylor answered.

With permission from Videlia, the Seabees soon got to work setting up a radio receiver and transmitter as well as checking over the plumbing and other potential problems, while the Marines were introduced to the liberated captives of Ginza.

"We thought you'd never come!" One young woman greeted them with tears in her eyes.

"We'll have our corpsman look everyone over and we'll radio base for an airlift." Sergeant Davis told them even as a young Japanese girl hugged him, crying. "Have they been taking good care of you?"

An English speaking Japanese nodded. "Yes," she looked almost apologetic at one of the Bunnies. "But we'd like to go home."

The Bunny Warrior only smiled. "We are happy for you," the Bunny, named Caelia, told her.

"Get a headcount sergeant," Taylor told him. "Once you've got the count, I'll call it into Gibraltar."

"Aye, sir."

Hours later, the last Super Stallion lifted off, The helicopters carrying one hundred and thirty-nine Ginza captives with them.

"It is an impressive sight," Videlia admitted, watching the helicopters depart.

"And noisy," Rhoda noted.

"They are at that," Taylor noted. He turned to Videlia. "By your leave, I would like to rest up a day or two before we continue on."

"Are you planning on going to County Ravenna?" She asked.

"It is what Mother asked of me."

Videlia nodded. "I will assign Argenta, Rhoda, five more of us, and twenty good men to accompany you."

"You expect trouble."

"Octavia's cousin: Caim Du Vespasia is a stubborn, hidebound reactionary. I expect he will be reluctant to relinquish his authority."

"Hopefully that won't be a problem."

"And if it is?" Videlia asked.

"I'll have to be persuasive." He then added, "I really hope it doesn't come to that though."

Videlia nodded in approval. "I see my sister chose her heir well. Now! Come and enjoy the hospitality of our clan!"

Sapphire Palace, Sadera

"No, Didacus. Leave the furniture. I want everyone ready to go by nightfall. Make sure we have enough provisions. Don't leave any horses or livestock. I would like my wardrobe but save that for last. If we're not done by the time the sun sets, I'll burn the rest myself! After the provisions, then load up the gold, silver, jewels, and gemstones. That little hyena will not have any of it when his men loot this place!"

"Are you sure it will be that bad, My Princess?" The aging Didacus asked.

"It will be worse. We are fortunate that we have the means to leave while we can and that our sister will welcome us in her house. That twit will burn down this city simply because he doesn't know what else to do!" Claudia shook her head. "And worse is that there are good, noble Saderans who will stay to the bitter end, trying to save the Empire from itself." She briefly thought of Pina. Her little sister would be one of these, but there was very little Claudia could do for it. She had a few ears in places, but these people were going to have to go deep. There was a tidbit of information she had already passed to one of Pina's retainers but that was all Claudia had left to play. It was time to leave the game while she could.

"And what of your wine cellar?" Didacus asked.

"Take the Regina and the 37' Stratus. Leave the rest. In fact, when we leave, tell the people that I make a gift of it to them!"

"Yes, My Princess."

"Good! Now, we have much to do! I don't want to leave any of our people behind!"

Rondel

Rondel was certainly a beautiful city, Itami admitted. If it wasn't 'modern' like Tokyo, it was still impressive, a mix of Venice and a fantasy novel. Which was apt, since everything in this world was like a fantasy novel.

"Rondel is older than the Empire itself," Lelei explained. "It was founded by the Gods of learning, La and Elange when they established a school here before their ascension."

While Shino's sister busily snapped as many pictures as she could, Itami looked around at the open plazas and benches with students studying and practicing magic. "I can feel the history!"

Lelei nodded. "All the greatest wizards are quarantined here."

"Quarantined?" Itami asked as Rory smirked at Lelei's choice of words.

"Yes," Lelei answered, tilting her head as if listening for some familiar sound from some of the gleaming towers.

Sure enough, she could hear the sounds of frustration and the occasional explosion caused by an experiment gone wrong. For all their brilliance, many magic-users tended to be unpragmatic, undisciplined, and sometimes a bit scatter-brained in Lelei's opinion.

Itami paled a bit at this. Lelei merely lowered her eyes. "You'll notice that people here tend to be rather spontaneous and tend to be poor planners." It was a problem that went beyond the study of magic, Lelei noted as she pointed to an oddly shaped if still quite beautiful bridge over one of the city's wider canals.

"The city elders hired two different teams to build the bridge, hoping to get it built twice as fast. One team started on the left bank and the other started on the right bank about two hundred feet further down. Each team was nearly halfway across when they realized they were about to pass each other…"

Shino winced at that.

Lelei nodded and then directed them to a line of very similar-looking inns, of which they selected one. For some reason, the owner originally mistook Itami for some sort of manservant, though to whom was never stated. Apparently, news from outside of Rondel had been slow to get into circulation. Then again, in a city like Rondel, very little of the affairs of the Empire seemed to be important. So, very little news of the happenings at Alnus had entered the local awareness.

Seeing the literal closet which Itami was supposed to take as a room, Kuribayashi gave the innkeeper a dangerous smile. "We're not servants."

"Y... Yes, My Lady! Of course! No insult intended! We have plenty of fine rooms for Rory Mercury and her companions!"

"I'm sure they'll be just fine," Itami told him mildly. Although, in retrospect, it still seemed like the men of Third Recon were still relegated to the 'less prestigious' accommodations. As Itami caught up with Lelei and the others, Lelei had changed into her presentation robes. Nanami Kuribayashi taking several pictures.

"Thank you!" She told Lelei. "These will go great with my story."

"Story?" Itami asked.

"Oh, yes! I was going to call it 'The Education of a Lifetime'. This could get me a Pulitzer!"

"Pulitzer?" Lelei wondered.

"It's an award for excellence in writing. Journalism in this case. This is a whole other look at a completely alien society beyond the focus of the Empire and the War!"

"Those robes look good on you," Itami told Lelei.

"Truly?" Lelei asked with just the slightest blush.

"Yes, truly."

"If my presentation at the conference isn't accepted, they will throw ink and oil on it and even then, I won't be allowed to take it off until I leave the city as a symbol of my disgrace. I won't be allowed the title of Sage either."

Rory nodded, although privately, she admitted that she had seen scholars given such humiliation who were far greater than those casting judgment on them. She had no doubts as to how this presentation would go, however.

Neither did Itami. "You work hard at everything you do! I'm sure you'll do fine."

"Thank you," she answered in a shy voice. Then she sighed. "I need to go register."

"Is there a problem?" Shino asked, noting the tone in Lelei's voice.

"When we get there, you may understand why I decided to study in Coda village with Master Cato instead of staying in Rondel," Lelei said. Master Cato's penchant for lecherous behavior had become well known around Alnus so naturally her new friends and companions would be curious as to why she chose years of studying with Master Cato in Coda Village rather than staying here among the 'greatest' thinkers of Rondel.

As they followed Lelei to the District for Research and Development, Kuribayashi noted as Itami watched a young man pull a small coin from his coin purse and drop it into a slot in a tall bronze cylinder adorned with a Silver Faery holding a pitcher. The young man took a cup from the girl on the bench beside it and then put it under the pitcher...

As a stream of water filled the cup, Itami shook his head in resignation.

"Problem, sir?"

"There's a vending machine. And I just lost a bet with Taylor."

"And here I thought you'd know better," Shino shook her head amused.

"Well… yeah… But vending machines? Drive-ins? Come on!"

Shino just smirked.

Continuing on to the District of Research and Development, Lelei sighed again as indeed the explosions and screams of horror and frustration grew louder, clearly marking this as the originating point for much of the commotion. It was true. Here dwelt some of the most gifted mages in the known world and yet, with all their practice and study and research, what were they actually achieving? The young students like herself… Would they change the world or merely spin futilely? And yet it did matter for her to earn their respect and earn the title of Sage. It mattered to her. There was a whole world of knowledge to be embraced and she wanted to see her mentors and peers start to embrace it.

But first, she had to see the person who had started her on her path. The person who represented everything Lelei hoped to be and yet who she feared to become.

"Grand Master Mimosa was my first master," The young mage told everyone as she led them through the halls of the District for Research and Development. Stopping at a door which she last remembered seeing blasted off its hinges but had long since been replaced, Lelei knocked respectfully.

"Yes?" An older woman's voice answered absently.

"Master Mimosa. It's Lelei."

"Oh! Lily!" The voice answered enthusiastically. The sound of books falling to the floor was followed by the door flinging open.

"Oh my! Oh my! Oh my! Lily!" A benign looking older woman greeted them. The joy evident on her face.

"It's Lelei…" Lelei answered in resignation.

"But Lily is so much cuter! Don't you think, Lily?"

"Lelei…"

"Of course, Lily! Well, come in! All of you! Come in!" She ushered them all inside, where Lelei presented Mimosa with a letter of explanation and recommendation from Master Cato sponsoring Lelei to make her presentation for the title of Sage. Mimosa read the letter with interest.

"Normally, I would think you were still too young for a Sage degree but according to Master Cato, your accomplishments are truly outstanding!"

"Thank you," Lelei replied softly. "Grand Master?" She asked. "Where is Arpeggio?"

"Oh! She went shopping! Lily! Help me get some chairs for our guests!" The Old Master turned to the storage room, promptly tripping over a short stack of books and blundering into numerous others.

As Itami stepped forward to assist Mimosa, a shrill cry of dismay cut through the air as a moderately tall young woman came through the door. Staring at the scattered mess of books, the young woman began to berate the hapless Grand Master.

Nanami growled at this apparent abuse of a venerable elder. Only Shino's gesture of restraint paused the young reporter from confronting this apparent intruder.

As it was, Mimosa seemed completely oblivious to the younger woman's annoyance. "Arpeggio! Lily came for a visit!"

"Lily?" The woman paused in puzzlement. "Who's 'Lily'?"

"Lelei…" The blue-haired mage sighed.

"Hmmph! Grand Master, meet me at our usual restaurant. I will be there shortly. I'm looking forward to having a VERY long talk with my little sister." Arpeggio said with a mix of envy and resentment.

"She's a real charmer," Nanami muttered.

"She's your sister?" Itami asked, not quite believing that this aggressively assertive woman could be any relation to the soft-spoken Lelei.

"Yes… My older sister…"