The Plot To Destroy Rokkenjiman Democracy

[Beatrice]

As soon as Rowe saw Rion he sighed, "Of course it would be you, what, Kado isn't enough of a big boy to face me himself? Tell me," he said as his hand moved towards his service pistol, "what do you think one envisions in the moments where they're breathing their last breaths?" he continued as he drew it.
As Rion confronted Rowe Kado's teams descended upon the SIS, methodically removing pieces from the board as they progressed from one target to another. There had been some resistance offered, though Kado and the INIS knew their longstanding adversaries well enough to see them systemically dispatched. While the process took some time eventually Kado was given the all-clear and, upon verifying sufficient space was available in Rokkenjiman holding cells he sent a text to Rion.

"Got 'em all, they're currently questioning the life choices that brought them to their present moment, transports are inbound across the board. INIS are prepped for some celebration, you're invited. I'm buying. 😘"
"Gemma," Asuna said as she turned her gaze from the window, "forgive me but I sent him a message," she could already see the visible sigh. "He won't compromise anything though and," she turned back to the window, "mum wouldn't leave Alex wondering if she was waiting for him, I couldn't leave Thomas in that uncertainty and it's a gamble if that message even gets to him, I'm sure your people properly patted down everyone leaving the Imperial Palace so he's likely still feeling that pain and that doesn't sit well with me, I had to try and I hope you can understand that. He deserved me making an attempt after all, and don't hold it against <0 for being willing to facilitate my transfer of a message to him please. That line of responsibility ends with me so let me bear the consequences, not them. She wouldn't of done it if I hadn't asked, after all. I'm sure you have all the logs of me accessing our satellites to peek in on his ship," she paused, "and if I weren't here under lock and key I'd have the United States making steam there in this very moment. Speaking of which," she paused with a grin, "once we have Rowe, can I do that? It'd be quite the surprise and I'm sure the Tytorians would be wondering why an ocean liner is bearing down on one of their naval squadrons but," she paused again, "think of the impression it would leave, not only on Thomas but his crew," she would offer a giggle.

[Achkaerin]

"Honestly." Rion said as she aimed her own weapon, she was quicker on the draw than Rowe by virtue of already having been expecting him to pull a weapon so as soon as she'd seen him go for his she'd raised the pale blue pistol that was in her hand, it was the ARC-SP1, a salt gun or rather a pepper ball pistol to describe the ammunition. "It's whether or not Helus has a pet honeybadger." she squeezed the trigger twice in quick succession hitting Rowe centre mass, the man staggered as if expecting a bullet but then the spray took effect, the tell tale sign was when the hand came up and that was when Rion made her move closing the gap quickly she kicked Rowe's gun from his grasp and threw him to the floor. "Let me guess." she said "It's been a while since you did the training for such things." she put her knee on his back and cuffed him "Alex Rowe you're under arrest for conspiracy to commit criminal damage, conspiracy to commit an act of terror and conspiracy to murder." she looked up as Kayleigh opened the door "Wash out his eyes and lock him up."

"You got it." Kayleigh said taking Rowe out of the room.

Gemma sighed "It's not me who's going to have an issue with <0." she said walking over and putting her arms around Asuna from behind "That'll inevitably be Kayleigh and it'll last maybe thirty minutes because that's her job. And we will not discuss the amount of covering that gets done with the intelligence agencies in Rokkenjima about your satellite usage." she giggled "Now as for Thomas if you're patient and you let Kayleigh make the phone calls that will need to be made because of the situation we're in then we will absolutely have the United States ready to go after this is all over and done with. Meanwhile what are you wearing for the Youth Diet tomorrow night?"

[Beatrice]

"Poppycock," Rowe mustered with a measure of difficultly, "you'd best...damn it, get me my lawyer at once." As Rowe spoke he heard growls from a nearby door, "get...get me away from that mutt!"
"I see," Asuna replied, "though I would like to speak with Thatcher the moment Rowe is dealt with; we've the hardened line that dates back to the Cold War that I understand <0 and Lucinda saw upgraded to an end-to-end encrypted fibre optic connection between Pyrettania and Tsargrad to replace the previous system in place since the Cold War between Tytor and the Federal Republic. I know nothing can be done on the public front right now," she sighed, "but I think coordination and transparency with such a close friend would ultimately be beneficial, and I can't imagine Mikina Hayata has had the best of times with the Prime Minister. She deserves some pressure being relieved from her shoulders so with your go-ahead," she motioned toward the door, "once the all-clear is relayed to us I likely should make a phone call across the Strait."
Kado had one additional promise to live up to and, as the SIS agents were rounded up on various transports, he allowed Lucinda an opportunity to speak with a restrained Lucius Stanley before his departure to the next Imperial Prison. Lucius sat silent for the most part, not once mustering the courage to make eye contact. "So," she finally said, "this is how it ends, not anywhere near how we envisioned our future but with a man looking at the ground instead of having even the conviction to look me in the eyes. Very well," she said as she stood and turned her back to him, "if you were expecting Kado to hand you off to me, to reactivate a site or two to extract vengeance, you'll find yourself disappointed. The only thing in your future is trials, associating with general population, and fading into obscurity as time and the very world moves beyond you. You gave it all up," she said turning toward him and drawing closer, "only to lose it all. No method at my disposal that I could think of could do a better job than the one karma has crafted for you, so," she booped his nose, "enjoy what is before you and use your remaining time on Mundus to think upon everything you've done. Goodbye, and good riddance, Lucius."

As she walked out of the room Kado placed a hand on her shoulder, "I'm proud of you," he said which prompted Lucinda to present a raised eyebrow. "He facilitated an attempt on your life and here, knowing I'd cover for anything you might of had in mind, you spoke the words you needed to and walked away. I guarantee those words will haunt him for the rest of his life, especially if he's transferred to an Achkaerinese facility, which will result in many years for him to ruminate on them. You're finally free," he said as he looked her in the eyes, "embrace that and live your life to the fullest. As for the Anselmos, your watch is over and you stand relieved, let me do my job in taking up your steed?" Lucinda paused before giving Kado a tight hug, "You know I'll always watch over them in my own way but, I trust you'll see I don't need to so, I best not see any slack from you and yours." With a chuckle Kado responded, "I learned from the best, so, if there are any failings on my part I'll be asking you why you allowed them to persist through my training under you. Now then, may I transport the prisoners to their next home?" which Lucinda responded with a nod.

"Very well, High Commander," he said with a respectful bow before turning to his subordinate, "see that these wastes of space reach their next destination, preferably unharmed of course. Though if they offer resistance," he said training his eyes on Stanley, "well, you know what's within your rights to exercise legal force if necessary."

[Achkaerin]

"Get him out of my sight." Rion said, she waited until Rowe was hauled away before opening the door and finding Akira there "Good boy." she smiled, checkmate in two she thought.

The sun in Kusan was reasonably warm and the air humid, the go for Operation Mockingbird had come the previous evening, the twenty four Achkaerinese Special Forces soldiers had made their way quietly across the border. Under cover of darkness they'd made decent ground, leading the way through the hills was David Winters coming from the scouts regiment he was more than qualified to get the group across the difficult ground as fast as possible, he commanded Topaz troop and was ably backed up in this regard by Sapphire troop commanded by Craig Moores, as they crested a hill into a copse David held up his hand bringing the group to a halt. At that point the other two troop commanders Heather Rose and Charlotte I'Joula joined the two men.
"What have we got?" Heather asked
"Kaesong is about a forty kilometre straight shot from here but you can see the increasing number of small villages and urbanisation." David said pointing from the high ground vantage point they had "We'll stand out like a bit of a sore thumb trying to walk through there in the middle of the day. I'd say wait for night but we're on the clock."
"We need wheels." Charlotte said
"There's a truck in the village at two o'clock." Craig said looking through his binoculars "And there's an APC over towards nine o'clock."
"Charlotte get the APC, Craig get the truck." Heather said "Bring them to the road at the bottom of the hill."
"Disguise?" David asked as two of the troops moved off.
"Yep." Heather said "We need to be in Kaesong tonight and that doesn't happen by skirting around because we'll end up circling the whole city. Can your team hold this vantage point?"
"Yep." David said

About an hour later the two vehicles were sat at the bottom of the hill, the APC had been outright stolen of course, while the truck had been borrowed for a fair amount of cash and a promise of silence.
"Ok so here's the plan." Heather said "Topaz holds the high ground here, this is the RV point when the time comes we get out the way we came in. Craig you've got the truck, that's the getaway vehicle, you drop Charlotte's team at their point and come to the prison, you hold position there. Charlotte you do your job and make your way there. My team we've got a jailbreak to do so we're taking the APC. On the way out we drop the truck back at the village and make our way back here on foot and then we get across the border. On a helicopter by the morning, home for tea and medals at a reasonable time. Heads on swivels and stay alert. Ok let's do it." The drive to Kaesong was uneventful, this far from the border there were far less obstacles to go through, no checkpoints, no patrols, there were obviously fortified positions but nothing that was going to stop traffic into the city itself. The two vehicles parked up in separate areas, though they weren't that far from each other - the APC was about a mile from the prison and the truck was closer to the Chairman's residence.

When night came the plan swung into action, first Charlotte and her team slipped out of the back of the truck and climbed a nearby fire escape making their way to the rooftops. Once there they took up their positions, Charlotte primed the weapon she was using and looked across the street and fair bit of greenery to the Chairman's residence "Ok let's see here." she said as she looked through her scope.
"Third floor window." Sgt Midgely said from next to her "That's his room."
"You got vantage on the second floor?" Charlotte asked
"Yep." Midgely said
"Ok Parkes." Charlotte said addressing one of the other members of the troop "You spot. Bridge you light." now it was a waiting game, it took another hour but eventually Ri Chŏng-jun stepped into Charlotte's crosshairs.
"That's him." Parkes said
"This is Midnight One I have the shot." Charlotte said
"All callsigns this is Shadowblade One." Heather's voice came over the radio "I have control, standby, standby, standby." she was undoubtedly looking at her watch's ticking second hand "Go."

"Midge." Charlotte said, right on cue trooper Bridge lit fire to the bolt that was loaded into the crossbow that Midgely was holding, then Midgely squeezed the trigger, the bolt flew straight and true right through the second floor window, the fire was set. Now Bridge lit the bolt on Charlotte's crossbow.
"Third floor window's ajar." Parkes said "He's probably in bed."
"Ok here we go." Charlotte said, she fired her bolt through the third floor window, it hit the back wall which would spread the fire.
"Reload." Midgely said, him and Charlotte reloaded before repeating the process and firing another bolt each.
"Ok let's rabbit." Charlotte said

Just up the road the APC with Shadowblade troop aboard was charging at full tilt down the road towards the prison, in the driving seat was Richard Duncan
"Right on the gate." Heather said
"Hold on tight." Richard said as he put his foot to the floor and as the guards outside the prison began to open fire realising what was about to happen the APC punched through the gate much like a battering ram.
"Go go go." Heather said as her team disembarked from the now ruined vehicle, leaving Richard and one of her other team members to hold the courtyard the other four proceeded inside, rifles up and ready. The Riley brothers Tim and Luke were clearing the administration area of the prison their target was the security  control room. With Luke holding position and delivering suppression fire down the corridor, Tim ducked inside and accessed the system, inserting a thumb drive he hit his radio.
"Shadowblade two, drive is inserted." he said, now he had to wait as the virus on the drive did its thing and wiped the entire system.

Heather meanwhile alongside the last member of her team Luna Knight was fighting her way through the cell blocks. It was a little on the slow going side but it was also clearly a set up, that much was obvious from the number of empty cells, rounding another corner they spotted a guard and Heather downed him with a quick pull of the trigger.
"Boss." Luna said as the lights on their rifles illuminated Sophia.
"That's one." Heather said as she pivoted and illuminated Sang-Hee in the cell across the hall "And that's two, go check the corridor."
"Boss." Luna said, heading down the corridor while Heather took the keys off of the dead guard and opened the cells, as she helped the two out of the cells she tapped her radio "Cottontail and Little Red Riding Hood secure."
"Goldilocks secure." Luna's voice came over the radio as she came back down the corridor with an older woman, just slightly older than Cecelia, this was Mieko Anselmo, Evanthe's mother and the mind behind this whole thing.
"Sapphire I want that exit now." Heather said as they started to make their way back through the prison.

Outside Sapphire troop had arrived with the truck and on foot so had Midnight troop, the firefight was raging on the street against the backdrop of the flames a little way away.
"Let's go, let's go." Tim yelled as one by one the former prisoners were helped into the back of the truck.
"Everyone rabbit." Heather said, that was the cue for an organised withdrawal, everyone got aboard the truck and it accelerated away, once they were away from the city centre and racing out of the outskirts it was at that point that everyone took their breath.
"Craig you made the drop right?" Charlotte asked
"Yep." Craig said "Whole letter from a group claiming responsibility for the nights havoc."
"Good." Heather said

At the Imperial Palace Kayleigh, having ensured Rowe was locked up in a secure facility walked into Asuna's room, with a smile on her face.
"We got them?" Gemma asked
"Yeah Sophia, Sang-Hee and the big bad wolf all on their way here, they'll be here by morning." Kayleigh said
"So what's the earliest Asuna can make a phone call to the Tytorians?" Gemma asked
"The morning." Kayleigh said "The moment they're in the grounds of the Imperial Palace we can lift the blackout because at that point all the pieces are within our control, we've weathered the storm, Rowe and Stanley are in custody, navigating the aftermath is going to be a whole different kettle of fish but don't worry about that yet, when the time comes we'll have that conversation and we don't need to have it for a couple of days or so. Meanwhile you get a good nights sleep, tomorrow's the Youth Diet, tomorrow we take their last piece off the board and by this time tomorrow the threat will have been dealt with."
"But you have to promise us something." Gemma said "When you talk to Thatcher you tell her everything that you are aware of, the last thing we need is to put the Tytorian Prime Minister in a situation where she ends up misleading their MP's."

[Beatrice]

When Rion opened the door Akira sniffed around the room, looking and establishing that Rowe was indeed gone before turning around, tail wagging and with a much different demeanor. He didn't know if Rion was prepared for a full frontal assault of kisses and nudges but he proceeded on that course all the same.
While the two had discussed rescue options not long ago it still came as a surprise to Sophia when it did, indeed, happen. With the adrenaline of an escape behind them Sophia's attention was turned to her much bruised fingers that guard had struck with his rifle; "would anyone happen to have an aspirin or something?" she said holding her hand up. "I'm pretty sure you left that guy off far worse than he left me, but damn this still hurts like hell." Pausing for a moment she sighed, "I'm glad Sang-Hee is coming with us too, there's much to be told there and, if it wasn't for her, I doubt you'd have had anyone to come and save, not sure who the guy was but some bastard brought an explosive to the meeting we were holding and her first instinct was to throw me out of a window and use her body as a shield. Who'd of thought we were actually dealing with the reasonable Ri this entire time?"
"Most splendid," Asuna's face lit up upon hearing the news. "I think Sophia is due for some down time after this ordeal, I've a room here at the Palace so she can get some down time in before returning to the Grand Duchy, although we should look into informing her people that their Grand Duchess is safe and sound. Perhaps we could allow her to make a statement from the Palace Gardens once she's had a chance to get some good food and rest in?" Asuna would propose. "

"Ah yes, the Youth Diet," Asuna sighed as she thought about Gemma's previous question as to what she would be wearing. "I'm torn between going somewhat formal, but not too flashy or nothing pretending to be formal at all since, they're basically close to my peers and I don't want to overshadow their presence you know? I am open to suggestions there," she said looking at the two after showing them each outfit she had in mind, "so don't keep them to yourselves."

"It'll also be good to talk to Thatcher," she continued, "Rowe nearly brought us to the brink of a diplomatic crisis, so best to see the seeds he sought to sow are undone, and perhaps after the Youth Diet the United States can stretch her legs and track down my Earl. I do wonder what they'll think on the Agility as my old girl rocks up on them," she said with a grin.

[Achkaerin]

"The white one." Gemma said "Youth Diet opening night is basically like a high school prom so be elegant and classy."
"She's right." Kayleigh said "I don't object to the United States going somewhere but before she does you and I need to have a conversation about security, not now because it's late and you need sleep but before you go aboard that ship."

In the morning the Imperial Palace had a mixed mood about it, there was happiness because a helicopter carrying the three rescued women was touching down in the grounds, but there was an also an edge because of who one of them was. Serenity and Euphy had got there having brought Evanthe, this also had the interesting side effect of Akira and Astrid's assistance dog, a terrier called Sparky, meeting for the first time. However attention wasn't really on that it was on Sophia as she ran straight to her parents and then to Euphy and then was steered into surprise guest Sasuke.
"You really think we wouldn't call him?" Serenity giggled

While most eyes were on the reunion Rion's were elsewhere, she was watching from a window her eyes firmly on the third woman, Mieko Anselmo and she was playing a right blinder, even accounting for the negativity she felt towards her family she had her daughter and granddaughter right there and wasn't making a move towards them. She glanced at Kado who was stood next to her "And behold the big bad wolf." she said "Kayleigh's spoken to the press team we're keeping the lid on, anything public is going to come on our timetable." she sighed "All this hate, deception, violence all of it over a woman's forty year old grudge. Still this is the endgame and it ends today. Within these Palace walls the next twenty four hours never happened."

Once the reunions had occurred Serenity borrowed Asuna's office and along with Heather, who'd made the flight to Rokkenjima with the rest of her team, sat down with Sophia and Sang-Hee. "I'll add this to the list conversations I never expected to have." Serenity said "But I need to explain something to both of you. Last night Achkaerin technically speaking committed an act of war against Kusan in order to rescue you both. That can never be admitted to because we must avoid giving elements within Rokkenjima an excuse to have the war they want to have."
"Last night my team and other Achkaerinese special forces carried out the operation using weapons and ammunition issued to the Kusan military." Heather said "Officially this will look like Kusan on Kusan, a backlash caused your brothers actions." she nodded at Sang-Hee. "The evidence will back that up. Officially speaking you were rescued by a Kusan militia as part of an attempted uprising and taken across the Kalasin border to a position held by Achkaerinese forces. It'll likely get spun as an attempt to avoid a Rokkenjima assault."
"There's been no news out of Kusan yet so we're hoping you'll help us get ahead of this." Serenity said "That means talking to the media, Asuna has suggested that Sophia make a statement from the Palace gardens, that's fine but when you do it's important you stick to the narrative that Major Rose just explained and that you do not mention the other woman that we brought out with you."

[Beatrice]

"I was leaning toward that one too, thank you," Asuna replied with a grin. "And we'll have that conversation when I wake up," Asuna continued, "I'll see that my schedule is cleared for that for as long as we need."
"What a wonderful surprise," Sophia added as she guided the pair into a loveseat not far from them. "I feel as though I've lived a hundred lifetimes since we last saw each other, it'll be nice to share them with you. Though it will be equally nice to get back to Fukadomari. I don't mind couch crashing, but I need to keep busy, and I'm sure there's a back-log back home that I'll have to deal with but for now," she said locking eyes with Sauske, "leisure before work, yes?"
"I can comply with those conditions," Sang-Hee replied, "though the scenario I sought to prevent, my brother holding power, is upon us and I fear for the fate of my people and all I endeavored for them; luckily I ensured that if I were removed the missiles would be rendered useless beyond 200km of Kusanese territory; I know my brother, I love him, but his thirst for prestige and power will be his undoing, it's only unfortunate my people have to bear his reign."
"Such a pitiful woman, if she were deserving of pity, that is," Kado sighed. "I must admit I have to show restraint I otherwise would not show, I think even you would be proud of our Lucinda," he paused before continuing, "she chose the path of justice over that of retribution and revengel a part of me knew she would but," he paused to wipe a tear aside, "Forgive me, though she's my mentor in this line of work, she's also like a daughter to me, I admit I dedicated resources toward her protection once I achieved my rank and," he said pointing to her, "she's something to be proud of, and I hope as I guard all those in my charge, that heart is not only guarded but also nurtured. Difficult history, yes, but she remains one good seed out there, she deserves a restful future."

"So we've seen a good many victories," Kado continued as he offered Rion a flask, "Yes, it's just water," he continued. "Many years ago in this line of work I realized alcohol wasn't why I felt good it was this," he said as he pointed to the results of their work, "that's what makes me feel good; taking in more water only helps my baseline health so, why not? We did this," he continued as he offered his hand to her, "I'm almost sorry that our road ahead has been cut that much shorter through our victories; I'll miss dropping in on you, or you dropping in on me, sitting behind my own desk with such an air around you. We'll always have the memories though," he said with a grin, "but I'll miss you being here if you're called elsewhere."

[Achkaerin]

"Let's not call it victory until it actually is." Rion said "You're going to be busy in the days that follow, because we both know what's coming and I may have had a word with Emerson. Meanwhile there's one last thing outside these walls think about." she put a file in Kado's hand "Teikokutō, biggest benefactors of this whole conspiracy, the fall of Abe's government after the Andean Genocide put them into a power sharing arrangement with the Centre Party, then Koizumi lost his job unconstitutionally and at the hands of a Teikokutō driven referendum, and then think about this - if you want to pull this off what better party to have as the largest in the Diet than one with the policy of 'we abide by the will of the Crown'?" she paused "It doesn't mean they all knew something was going on but considering what Rowe was planning on needing to happen it's probable a few in the ranks did. It needs looking at because if we can connect the dots then so can others and no stone unturned must mean exactly that."

Downstairs in the Imperial Palace Kayleigh was going over the plan for the Youth Diet. "Ok everyone." Kayleigh said "Tonight's game night and we need to be right on it. Just because the big bad wolf is now in the henhouse does not mean this is over. Tonight we have Peter Rabbit, Flopsy and Mopsy." she pointed to pictures of Prince Lucius, Asuna and Kikyo Hase respectively "As well as Empress Serenity and others. The name of the game is being vigilant, we have the big bad wolf but you all know the extent of this plot and you all know that her contact with Kikyo would have to be facilitated by a third party, so we keep eyes on her and on the rest of the family and we make sure that no harm comes to anyone. Expect Asuna to attract attention tonight, expect Serenity to attract attention tonight, they're both relatively young leaders and they're going to be in a room of people that likely look up to them. Usual protocols and procedures like every other years we've done this." she looked at her watch "Ok let's be ready on time."

[Beatrice]

"I'll see what we can turn up," Kado said as he took the file. "I'm doubtful that Sugano is of much concern, I've looked into his prior activities following his entrance into politics, connections, <0 may have provided me with snippets of his browsing history, but I won't verify that either way," he said with a chuckle. "I'd imagine I'd start with Machida Kyo; the moment Rokkenjiman assets were attacked by the Kusanese he took the first opportunity he could to call the Empress inexperienced and weak, statements not usually associated with members of Teikokutō. If the intent is to beat the drums of war to such a feverish pitch, as Rowe likely desired, I can only assume that he was laying the legislative groundwork for such a march to heed the tune of those drums. With that crowd, some of whom have a reverence for Empress Saisei that even I find concerning at times, we're fortunate that the Empress has Saisei firmly in her corner. That doesn't buy a great amount of space to work with if Rowe's found many inroads into Teikokutō, howerver, without a doubt her swift defense of the Empress certainly bought us a measure of time to work with."
The Imperial Diet, Pyrettania

The Empress begins the journey to the Imperial Diet.

As Asuna approached the doors of the Imperial Diet, her guests not too far behind, she paused as she placed her hand on the door handle. "Up to the present," she said as she turned to Kikyo, "the Empress has held the right to open this door at any moment she should wish to, and the presence of each and every legislator would be demanded in short order. That all doesn't sound very democratic, does it?" she asked, to which Kikyo shook her head. "As I thought," Asuna said with a smile, "I could follow that tradition or," she said producing her phone and dialing the number of Sugano, Speaker of the Councillors. After a few moments the Imperial Diet Sergeant at Arms opened the door and offered a bow. "It is my honour to inform Her Imperial Majesty that the Speaker of the Councillors, following consultation with the Speaker of the House of Commons, invites your presence within." The Empress nodded, "I shall accept their invitation with humility," she said as she stepped forward, inviting her guests to follow.

Upon entering the House of Commons, often utilized for joint sessions of the Imperial Diet Speaker Sugano roused a bassy voice; "At the invitation of the leadership of the Imperial Diet it is my pleasure to welcome the Empress of Rokkenjima, Asuna, Blessed of Islyna. Your Majesty, please proceed to enter!" To the sound of applause the Empress proceeded into the chamber, with members of the Diet bowing as she passed them in her procession to the front of the chamber. Upon reaching the rostrum the Empress allowed a few moments for the applause to subside, the Members of the respective Houses to take their seats and, in turn, her guests to take theirs. Once the sound of applause had quieted a great deal she looked to her left, then to her right, before looking straight ahead as she spoke.

"I wish to thank the Speakers for their joint invitation for me to speak with you here. I'm certain that some of you, those who were here for the reigns of my predecessors, might have some confusion in this moment and believe me, I understand that. I felt that, with the adoption of a new Constitution and the enshrinement of the vision of the Saisei Empress for a more democratic Rokkenjima, we're deserving of new traditions to honour that keystone event. Whereas before the Empress could walk into these halls and summon its members to attention, I hereby proclaim that no Empress, or Emperor, of Rokkenjima will set foot within the halls of the Imperial Diet without the invitation of its leadership being first extended. Let this be the first of many new traditions between us," she paused and offered a smile, "and let us show the world around us the depth of the roots this democracy has established."

After another round of applause the Empress continued. "Tonight we elevate the voices of our youth and allow them to gain working knowledge of the Imperial Government. The scenario set forth is as such: a new Imperial Budget is before the Diet for consideration, it is upon the Rokkenjiman delegation to coalesce and argue for it whilst it is upon the Vicheshire Delegation to argue in opposition to the proposed budget. Contained within the proposed budget are several areas of contention; there are concerns that spending is growing to an out of control level, while some of your constituents on both side find value in the various programs which are being funded by the proposed budget. Each side will have 45 minutes to prepare their arguments; the Rokkenjiman delegation will have at their disposal none other than Vicegerent Emerson to coach them as they prepare their arguments. The Vicheshire Delegation shall have at their disposal our guest speaker, Empress Serenity Azurewind of the Holy Empire of Achkaerin, for the same purposes. I shall be taking the role of Speaker, with the guidance of Speaker Sugano to guide me in upholding the rules of the Imperial Diet as you each present your arguments. Before we get started," she said as she motioned to Serenity, "I'll turn the floor over to the Empress of Achkaerin who will also have the duty of starting the timer. I wish both delegations well in securing victory for their position."

[Achkaerin]

Serenity had to smile as she found herself standing in front of the Youth Diet, the yellow dress picked out by Euphy and Evanthe was nice and to go with that there was little Josiah Rhodes ambushing her in Pikachu costume, she'd given Euphy a very knowing look at that moment as it was quite likely that it had been her who'd arranged it, she'd probably mentioned that growing up it had been her favourite show. Looking around she giggled a little.

"One of my favourite things in my calendar back home is the Youth Assembly, getting to go and spend a few days trying to inspire the next generation to be who they want to be, to get them engaged on the things that matter. Now we don't have a few days I've only got a short time to talk with you before we go into tonights exercise, which we have to finish..." she checked her watch "By half past nine because I've organised your evenings entertainment in one of the larger reception halls and I had to waive a couple of things to make it happen. So a little housekeeping please remember to pick up all your bags including your goodie bag. It does include some very good things. And while you've got me, go ahead ask your questions."

"Can I have your autograph?" someone said, it was a student by the name of Hamamoto Seiji, there was a ripple of laughter as Emerson tossed Serenity a pen before she went over and signed her autograph on what appeared to be a picture of her winning one of her Mundus Game gold medals. "One of my favourite ones that, had pins and needles in my foot for most of the last event."
"What's the hardest thing you've ever done?" a student by the name of Iseri Fumio asked
"So many things." Serenity said "But it's the moments where you face the no win scenario, they're the ones that stand out. They're the ones that make you stronger. For me it will always be seven years ago when the Andean Genocide process was rumbling on. To make the decisions that I had to make then was hard but I know I'd make the same choices again."
"What's the best bit of advice you ever got?" another student, Kuse Yukio, asked
"One my dad gave me." Serenity said "See the whole board, before you do anything, assess the situation, work out what you think is going to happen and navigate your way through it, more often than not you'll get there. Political thinking tends to be susceptible to short term impulsive actions and not joined up thinking. The nerds are the coolest kids in school for a reason remember, embrace your own nerdiness."

There were a few more questions and then up got Kikyo with her little speech, Serenity took a moment before looking at the room "Political debate isn't an argument, it's not I'm right you're wrong, no it's an exchange of ideas, it's a discussion, it's the process through which each entity involved makes the others better. Tonight you have a budget infront of you, look at the whole board you all recognise that without a budget being passed there is little that a government can do. The side acting as the Government has Emerson advising them because they need someone who knows what's in the tome of pages in front of you, while you get me because I have a lot of negotiation experience. The purpose of opposition in politics is not to oppose just for the sake of it, it's to hold the government to account because you all represent constituents and you all have the same duty to act in their best interests. Political entrenchment is not your friend, there are not many days where there's an absolute right or wrong, because whether it be in Achkaerin, Fusan, Rokkenjima, Tytor, Dartfordia or any of the other legislatures out there the elected representative is there to represent everyone not just the people that agree with them. Tonight you will pass a simulated budget, because if you don't then you will have essentially failed the exercise, you will need to compromise, you will need to find a middle ground. Dare to be bold, dare to dream, there's no such thing as a stupid idea. Good luck."

As the room settled into its discussion of ideas, or rather the preparation stage, Serenity sat down on the steps up to the platform and soon had, the still in Pikachu costume, Josiah next to her. Serenity giggled as she put an arm around him watching the room.

[Beatrice]

House of Commons, Imperial Diet

While the discussion between the Rokkenjiman and Vicheshire Delegations had been animated at times the Empress noticed something as the debates continued; instead of entrenching themselves in their positions, whether for or against the various aspects of the proposed budget, at each juncture the leaders of each delegation called for a pause to discuss some manner of compromise and, once discussing these compromises, returned to the floor to present amendments to the original terms of the budget as they worked through each choke point. Eventually, after forty five minutes, an Act was put to vote which passed with unanimous consent; something which rarely if ever happened in the real Imperial Diet, as each point of contention had been worked through by the "opposing" delegations to a point they produced something both sides could work with. The Empress smiled as she stood, pointing to elevated booths which held both members of the Commons and the Councillors, "I imagine those amongst us up there are taking notes, or at least they should be," she said with a chuckle, before pausing to look over to Serenity.

"I do believe," she paused, "they've inadvertently beat the closest we'll get to a legislative Kobayashi Maru," before returning her attention to the floor. "Congratulations," she offered a slight bow, "you've produced a piece of legislation which I would certainly grant Imperial Assent to without reservation." Remembering a request that had been relayed to her earlier in the day she paused, "Kikyo Hase, would you be available for a few moments before returning to your accommodations? I understand there are some here who would wish to congratulate you on getting your delegation here, as well as a few who would like to propose career options here in Rokkenjima, should they interest you of course." As she left the floor of the Diet Asuna would fist-bump Josiah before taking off the head of his costume to ruffle his hair, "happy to have you with us," she said with a smile as she continued her departure.

[Achkaerin]

As the Youth Diet ended Serenity caught the eye of Maki, it wasn't necessarily out of place, after all it was quite well known that they knew each other, they'd played basketball together in their youth, Maki made her way over to where Serenity's car was waiting.
"Please tell me the aerial diversion was worth it." Serenity said quietly
"It was." Maki said referring to the Ryusei flight that had brought the Jenka Jenkinson group to Pyrettania "The outage at Arovium ATC meant that the plane had to divert south and as a result had to touch down in Gowu for refuelling, gave everyone a chance to stretch their legs... or hand off a saliva sample."
"Results?" Serenity asked
"Came overnight." Maki said she handed Serenity an envelope "It is confirmed, so what now?"
"Asuna's going back to the Imperial Palace, Kikyo's going back to the hotel." Serenity said
"Kayleigh will want this done quietly." Maki said
"It really should be at Pyrena." Serenity said as she looked up at the clear night sky "Ok, you bring her to Pyrena, bring her in through the tunnels that way no one knows she's there, you take her out the same way afterwards."
"Got it." Maki said

As the clocks across Rokkenjima struck midnight the final move in this forty year old game of chess was being made and it was perhaps fitting that it was being made at the Imperial Palace. The third woman rescued from Kusan, the blonde going on grey haired Mieko Anselmo, the largely forgotten member of the family, disregarded to the benefit of Cecelia and not the vengeful fury walked the very corridors where if the strands of fate had woven a slightly different picture she might well have been the Empress, she walked them alone but not for the first time her pieces Alex Rowe and Lucius Stanley had been most helpful in communicating the layout of the premises, she knew where the various offices were, where the kitchen was, where the guest rooms were and most importantly for tonight she knew where the Empress's room was. She allowed herself a satisfactory smile as she walked towards what she anticipated to be the scene of her triumph. The starlight through the windows reflected off of the Kusanese styled blade in her gloved hands, it was to be the perfect crime - the Empress of Rokkenjima murdered by the ousted leader or was she of Kusan, then in would come the final piece she'd held back - the girl Kikyo to assume the throne and then guided by Rowe in the light and herself from the shadows she would have what she had been denied all those years earlier. Everything she'd done over the years, having Cecelia shipped off to Slava Lavosk, destroying Beatrice, making sure Asuna lacked the experience to lead, positioning the inexperienced Euphemia as Viceregent at the critical moment, using pre positioned members of the Rokkenjiman military handpicked by Rowe to stir the pot, using Lucius Stanley to keep a watchful eye on Beatrice once she was on the throne while utilising Ofdensen and Groves as wrecking balls to deliver the stage to where she needed it. Were it not for the blast from the past that Emerson Ravenswood represented this would have been delivered much sooner but Evanthe was her daughter it made sense that she would have some semblance of her mothers intelligence. There had of course been smaller moves, all part of the grand plan to isolate, Sumire had outlasted her usefulness as soon as Kikyo had been born but her friendship with Beatrice had been beneficial, so much so that Sumire had made an excellent sacrificial pawn, without knowing a thing of what was going on she'd been easily taken off the board and Beatrice had felt a betrayal, Bateson had been another move courtesy of Stanley, manufacture a technical breach of the MCUR and put a close confidant in prison on human trafficking charges. The more significant wrinkle for years had come from within the Rokkenjiman military, specifically Field Marshall Lancaster, he'd caught wind that something was up with Rowe it had been a bold move to sabotage the Rokkenjiman contribution to Marseilles and it had played out nicely internationally but it had raised eyebrows within and people had gone snooping. Lancaster had gotten too close to the truth and he'd needed to be taken care of and so he'd been made the fall guy in Toshikawa, another betrayal and another blow and all of that driving increased isolation for Beatrice, tightening her inner circle which was full of her pieces and made it so much easier to make the Saisei Empress her puppet in the game. What Mieko didn't know was that somewhere along the line Lancaster had managed to express his concerns to one Lucretia Marino or as she would later come to be known Kyoko Anselmo. It had been a well constructed plan and it had been executed to a tee, Beatrice had been taken off the throne and was now looking at consequences of the past, Cecelia had been spared in 1997 but made to live years of lies about what had happened next and Evanthe had spent years not knowing that her cousin was in fact her daughter.

Silently she turned the handle of the Empress's bedroom door and stepped inside, the room was as might be expected quiet and Asuna lay in the bed, Mieko raised the blade ready to strike, this was it the moment was at hand but then several things happened quite quickly. First Asuna's eye opened slightly and the merest of screams escaped her mouth just as Gemma, in her t-shirt and shorts nightclothes, came out of nowhere tackling Mieko at full tilt, taking them off across the bed and onto the floor, probably damaging some furniture along the way. Gemma and Mieko were wrestling on the floor, the knife being the main problem as Gemma had to not only try and subdue Mieko but also keep one eye on the blade that could at any moment end either her life or Asuna's. Gemma grimaced on a couple of occasions as the knife's edge found its mark and lacerated her skin but then it was Mieko who howled before she could land a telling blow as Akira had entered the fray biting Mieko's arm, Gemma seized the moment and pushed Mieko up off of her with her feet, then as Mieko felt her forearm, Gemma got to her feet and got hold of her. "Get the hell away from her." she said before throwing Mieko through the window and down into the grounds below.

Gemma took a few deep breaths before looking at where a bolt upright and possibly in shock Asuna sat "Are you ok?" Gemma asked "She didn't get you?" she continued sitting on the bed and looking at Asuna as Akira licked at Gemma's wounds while she stroked him, no doubt the canine would be getting a medal for this, "Sorry you had to see that."

On the cold ground below the window a still alive though not long for the world Mieko lay, she knew she was mortally wounded it was just a matter of time gazing up at the stars she heard the footsteps approach.
"I remember a night like this many years ago." it was Peter standing there on his own before crouching down next to where she lay "The night this all started I would guess, I was relatively new to Gowu and suddenly at sixteen years old I was the bridge between Valtheim and your mother. We were kindred spirits, both future rulers of our nations, both with so much expected of us. I remember it all Mieko, the days we'd walk in the sun, the evenings we'd lay down under the stars and do whatever homework we had to do, the nights..." he paused "In another time it could have been you on the throne, in another time you and I could have been side by side, everyone could have had happily ever after. But then those blue eyes of yours that burned with hope became cold."
"You pushed me away." Mieko said weakly.
"No." Peter said "We had the misfortune to wander into the dark at the same time. What happened to you was cruel and cowardly, what you don't know because it's not something I'm proud of is that I nearly killed the person who did it to you, I was ashamed of what I nearly did, your mother didn't help things either."
"She really didn't like that Evanthe wasn't yours, it was enough to pass me over and marry me off to Madara." Mieko said "She had it all worked out in her head."
"It never mattered to me though." Peter said "I'd have been there every step of the way, I wonder what your mother would have said if she'd ever found out about what I did for Cecelia."
"Probably not been especially polite." Mieko said before she coughed "Of all the ways it could end, this isn't so bad."
"Don't go dying just yet." Peter said "If you want to be forgiven you must forgive, you told me that once." he placed his phone on the ground next to her "When you stand before the Goddess you're going to want to be unburdened, dying declaration unburden your soul Mieko."

Mieko talked for a few minutes, explaining everything, Peter's phone being used as a Dictaphone recording the whole thing, it didn't matter that it would never be made public, no as far as the public were concerned this ended with Rowe, family business would stay family business. This moment was about resolution, a burden carried for decades had driven things to this point. When it was over Mieko breathed her last, with a smile on her face and eyes still looking up at the stars. Peter closed her eyes with his hand and picked up his phone before giving her a kiss on the forehead.

"Did she have a preference for her funeral?" Alexandria asked, she'd been at a distance watching and now approached as Peter stood
"She always wanted a cremation when I knew her, something about her body becoming part of the world." Peter said "Very Pullman now I think of it."
"Well our bodies all become dust in the end." Alexandria said "I'll see to it."

While things had been playing out at the Imperial Palace, at the hotel housing the Youth Diet members Maki was knocking on Kikyo's room door, it had taken a little arranging in advance but Kikyo had a room to herself as opposed to sharing with another student for precisely this moment. When Kikyo opened the door Maki took a breath "Get dressed quietly, I'm taking you to Pyrena and it's important that no one knows you've gone out tonight." she said

It took a few minutes but once Kikyo was dressed the pair made their way out of the hotel and to Maki's car, she drove them through the city and stopped at the outskirts of the grounds, close to a now infamous bus stop, getting out of the car Maki led the way onto the grounds and soon underground into the tunnels underneath Pyrena. There was one notable attraction in this maze of tunnels and that was of course the replica TARDIS that had been put in during Beatrice's reign.

"It's not quite twelve enough for my taste." Serenity said from a higher level of the replica "But it is in fact bigger on the inside. Perhaps not as good as the Enterprise bridge in my basement but I'm probably biased about that." she smiled and walked down towards Kikyo "You've probably got a lot of questions running around that head of yours and I'll answer what I can but first I need you to look at this." she handed Kikyo the envelope that Maki had given her earlier "I have to tell you that not everything that has happened over the last twenty four hours or so has been what it seemed. You're holding the results of a comparative DNA test between yourself and Beatrice Anselmo. It confirms that you are her daughter and that you are the half sister of Empress Asuna, that's on account of your father's DNA not being Alex's.   Guess I should say welcome to the family." she took a breath "You've got the information, what you do with it is up to you just please don't go on social media about it,  Maki will take you back to your hotel when you're ready but if you want to come with me, your biological family is upstairs."

[Beatrice]

"I'm," Asuna paused for a moment as she collected her thoughts, "I'm fine. Let's get the medical staff up here to look after you though," she said as she pushed a button on her nightstand. "As for you," she said scratching just behind Akira's ears, "you really are the best boy in the world, thank you. I only hope," she paused again, "this is the last of unpredictable nights for me for a while. I've never done anything to anyone, let alone her for this, it's so much to process you know?"
"Not a surprise," Kikyo offered, "the Prince is rather fond of the 11th Doctor's era, I believe it's even been mentioned that the Master of that era strikes an uncanny resemblance to the former Prime Minister. It's rumoured that the Prince tried to invite him over here to Pyrena for the ultimate fan selfies but he never clinched the deal, "scheduling difficulties" I think were cited?" she said with a grin. With the words that would follow and the DNA test in had though she took a step back and looked around, "Okay, where are the hidden cameras and RBC staff lingering in the shadows to catch my reaction? You can all come out now, I appreciate the sense of humour that is on display, but I have a nice comfy bed waiting for me back at the hotel that's yelling my name right now," she said taking a step forward and looking to her right and her left, but when neither Maki nor Serenity changed their demanour in response she took in a sharp breath. "I guess the whole poster campaign painting me as the "Saisei Empress of Vicheshire" had some legitimacy after all," she sighed as she recalled the posters some students had hung up across the school comparing her to the Saisei Empress. "Fake parents, fake life, it's Princess Kyōko all over again."

Thinking for a moment she set the test on the nearest surface, "Let's go upstairs, if things before were manufactured I'd like to see something real for a change. And don't worry," she said as she switched her phone off, "nothing digital, I promise," she continued as she displayed her aOS phone going through the shutdown procedure.

[Achkaerin]

Gemma's injuries looked worse than they were, shallow cuts easily cleaned and plastered up, smiling she stroked Akira "The thing with power plays is that it's very rarely what you did, there's always collateral damage." she said "This one goes back before your mother and it doesn't even concern a decision your family made. It's all about something one of Yuna's predecessors did." she took a breath as the wind blew cold through the hole where the window glass had been moments earlier "I think you're spending tonight across the hall and we'll get someone to fix that in the morning."

As Serenity led Kikyo up onto the ground floor of Pyrena they were greeted by the faint sound of a piano, which made Serenity smile as they walked down the hall stopping at the open door where the piano was kept, sat there playing was a still somewhat soaked by the rain Peter. "I haven't heard that one in a while." Serenity said
"Been a bit of a night." Peter said, playing the piano or another musical instrument was a family de-stressing method. He turned his eyes on Kikyo and smiled "I don't even need to ask."
"You'd know grandad." Serenity said teasing her father "Do feel free to call him that." she nudged Kikyo.
"We haven't even been introduced." Peter said in mock protest as he rolled his eyes.
"Ok..." Serenity said "Kikyo allow me to introduce your biological grandfather."
"Welcome to the family." Peter said getting up off of the stool and giving Kikyo a hug before looking at Serenity "You or me?"
"Probably should be her Dad." Serenity said
"All right." Peter said

As Peter took Kikyo towards the lounge door, Serenity sat herself down at the piano and started to not only play but sing as well her choice was perhaps quite fitting considering what the days events had meant for her personally, Rowe being arrested and with the plot itself stopped had dragged Isaac back into her mind more than once after all with Rowe running Ramose that meant that Rowe had ordered Isaac's death. Meanwhile Peter opened the door to the lounge where Beatrice was waiting and stood there hands on Kikyo's shoulders. There was a silence, emphasised by the music stopping and Serenity making her way to door.

"We won't discuss how mad I am with you right now." Serenity said half smiling at Beatrice "But we will at some point."
"For now." Peter said "I believe you've got someone to say hello to."

[Beatrice]

"Good boy," Asuna said as she again patted Akira's head, "and you know what's waiting for you downstairs don't you," she said as his tail wagged. "It's steak," she said to Gemma, "I spoil him but," she paused, "I think the results speak for themselves. He knows who out there are the baddies and," she continued as he licked her hand, "who the goodies are, don't you my little cutie?"
"I'll take it when it eventually comes, as I always did; remember, I was always the one better at taking criticism than you were. Or did you forget?" she continued as she took Serenity's nose, "you could never beat me at this game? Look at you now," she said as she made motions with her hands, "stop, no, don't, even when the stakes aren't life or death you're going full throttle," she nearly collapsed in laughter before Serenity was bearing her weight on her, "I missed this between us, who thought it would take all this to bring it back. Don't leave me again, I love you you know?"

Once the fun and games were out of the way Beatrice and Kikyo eyed each other, and whilst both of them prepared speeches in their minds in the moment it was Beatrice who broke down first, bringing Kikyo in for a hug as she spoke. "Oh my beautiful girl, how I wish I could've known you, to hear of your life's accomplishments, your goals realized and not, to be there for you in the moments you fell short. But here you are," she said as she framed Kikyo's shoulders with her hands, "almost grown up, but I'm proud of you all the same, come here," she said as she hugged her tightly, diffusing Kikyo's inherently defensive instincts.

"Damn it mother," she said as she crumpled into Beatrice who'd offer only coos, "Now, my child, calm yourself and realize you're fine, yes?" she said as she raised her chin to hers with her hand, looking her in the eyes before continuing, "We have much to make up for, in time and spirit, I'm sorry you were robbed from me but," she paused looking her over, "in spirit and mind, you found your calling without guidance, and what a remarkable woman you've become in the process. Truly a child of Islyna."

[Achkaerin]

The morning sunrise brought with it a sense of something new. There was a lot more easy breathing going on in the Imperial Palace, the threat had been subject to Kado's findings either totally or mostly neutralised. Now the focus changed to dealing with the damage that had been done, actions had consequences and consequences needed dealing with. So here they were Emerson, Asuna, Liosa, Kayleigh, Evanthe and Kado sat around the Empress's office.

"Well the good news is that we got out from the worst of the storm." Emerson said "But we're not out of the rough waters yet. Now we have to deal with the fallout, there shouldn't be much to deal with but what there is is fairly significant."
"Immediate concern is security, Rowe having been the Grand Marshall coupled with several arrests of senior Rokkenjiman personnel across all the branches of the military raises certain questions of trust which from where I sit as the person responsible for the safety of the Imperial Family." Kayleigh said "I'm working with Forrester to mitigate this, in the short term we're vetting the crews of the Sakura, Ayame, Artemis and Serenity that's two Kawisha's and two Rorqual's. If they come up clean then that's escort duty mostly sorted but I want to be clear the Olympic isn't leaving port until I've read the report on those crews and I'm happy, I have made inquiries with Valtheim about some assistance in that respect but for the foreseeable I don't want anyone in the family going anywhere by air. Long term once we have a replacement for Forrester in place there's a conversation about this that I will have with them. I'm also having the Imperial Yacht's drydocked for minor refits."
"Pod principle I assume." Emerson said
"Yep." Kayleigh said "There will need to be a review across the board of the Rokkenjiman military, political establishments, intelligence agencies, businesses and so on. We just took a bruising from areas we didn't see coming. Kado needs to head up the investigation element, but only once his own agency has been reviewed, that shouldn't take more than your upcoming trip to Arendelle to manage."

"The other thing is that while you're en route to Arendelle the case about the Sakura-Umeko Addendum comes before the SCJ. I don't intend to fight it because I've seen the evidence and I agree with it." Liosa said "However as I've said before this only changes a technicality, it doesn't change history, in fact it changes perception we go from Rokkenjima having sovereignty over Toshikawa to Rokkenjima technically invading Toshikawa, that will need to be made right."

"Meanwhile I'm going to spend most of the trip to Arendelle working out the Imperial Council, shouldn't be too difficult to get potential nominees on there for a little sounding out." Emerson said "And those that we can't I will be calling."

[Beatrice]

As the dust settled from the events of the previous few days Kado would be the first to speak. "I'm expecting our review to take the least time, next to the IRN, given many who work under me also worked under one Lucinda Hadley. The spirit I garner from them is one of vengeance," he said as he looked aside, "there's a good few in the INIS who want his face on all of our punching bags, training purposes of course. My findings, as always, will be available to you all."

For her part Asuna sighed, "We've survived one set of challenges to inherit another set, but we've got this I'm sure. We've also got some breathing room," she continued, "and while we focus on these matters it's time we all took some moments of pause for self care. I feel that from the moment I ascended the Throne we've all been in survival mode, for good reason of course, and as we've survived, while we tackle these matters let's take moments for self care, yes? I know prior to my voyage I'll be enjoying moments with Akira on the beach; I suggest you all find something likewise fulfilling, then we root out this corrosive influence once and for all."

[Achkaerin]

Kayleigh mentally rolled her eyes, Kado really needed to stop making assumptions, while it was quite likely that a thorough examination of the INIS would be relatively straightforward on account of only having to look at in relative terms a handful of people, it was not a good idea to invoke Lucinda Hadley as that was in this context a red flag. It was also safe to say that considering the size of the IRN that the navy's review and vetting was going to take a substantial amount of time.


A few days later, with the majority of the Imperial Household sat on the Olympic all eyes turned to the Supreme Court Judicature. Liosa walked into the courtroom and put her bag on the table and looked across at where Elecktra, who was representing Kyoko, sat.
"You fighting this?" Elecktra asked
"Nope." Liosa said "Stanley would have but not me."
"All rise." the court usher said, both the ladies stood as the judges of Rokkenjima's highest court processed in and took their seats.

"Your Honours, I'm Elecktra Hope and I appear for the plaintiff." Elecktra said "The matter before you today concerns the legality of the addendum to the Sakura-Umeko Accord, the addendum is otherwise known as the Mentorship of Toshikawa. We're challenging the legality of it on the following grounds - the mentorship being an amendment to a pre-existing Rokkenjiman treaty required both an affirmative vote in the Diet and the ascent of the Crown. Diet records show the affirmative vote but as recent discoveries have shown there are question marks around the actions of the then Empress Beatrice Anselmo, it has been argued previously that she lacked mental capacity that is not our main contention today. Today we contend that she did not sign the Act of the Diet that ratified the addendum and that therefore the addendum is invalid. We have submitted into evidence for your consideration the opinions of several handwriting experts, they all conclude to varying degrees that on the balance of probability Beatrice's Anselmo's signature on the Act in question is forged. We also draw attention to the then Empress's mental incapacity it is unlikely, in the opinion of medical experts, that she could have produced such a signature considering the medication she was on and the effects thereof. We are prepared to call witnesses to testify on both counts but our understanding is that the Crown is not contesting."

"Ms Caidh?" one of the bench asked
"Your honours." Liosa said "The Crown is not resisting this, having reviewed the plaintiff's case we believe it to be accurate and we join their motion to see this corrected."

It didn't take long, the fact that Liosa wasn't contesting it basically meant there was no doubt what was coming back, the only surprise was that it took a couple of hours for them to deliberate and come back, but when they did the ruling was clear - the addendum was ruled invalid. Messages were sent where they needed to be sent. One hurdle down, one to go.

Commander Melanie Armitage was sat in her chambers, she was working on a judgement in a case of missing a movement. Then came the knock and the door opened, and in stepped Nell Foster and Serenity both in their naval uniforms. "I'm fairly certain I said I never wanted to hear about Beatrice Anselmo ever again." Melanie said
"Last time we promise." Nell said
"So what is it this time?"  Melanie asked "You want to revisit the diminished responsibility?"
"No." Serenity said "The SCJ just ruled that the addendum to the Sakura-Umeko Accord aka the Mentorship of Toshikawa is invalid. If that's invalid then legally Rokkenjima never had sovereignty over Toshikawa which means that Beatrice Anselmo was never commander in chief of the Toshikawan military and that it cannot be said that for the purposes of the Uppsalla Convention that the definition of national government applies in this context. The Rokkenjiman Government lacks the necessary competency in this case."
"So you want me to what?" Melanie asked
"Quash the convictions pertaining to Beatrice Anselmo, Field Marshall Lancaster and Sumire Hiramatsu." Serenity said "If we can't apply article one and two to them then they're no longer safe."
"Lieutenant Foster?" Melanie asked
"There's no question that certain Rokkenjiman officials bear responsibility for what happened in Nueva Ardia." Nell said "Rokkenjiman units were there, they were operating as if it was their job to stop it and it still happened... but we can't charge people for offences when they didn't have the legal authority."
"This legally speaking wasn't a surrendering of sovereignty this was technically an invasion of Toshikawa by Rokkenjima." Serenity said

"I'm not going to touch the perjury because she still lied until someone can prove otherwise." Melanie said "But on the technicality presented yes the convictions against Beatrice Anselmo, Sumire Hiramatsu and Field Marshall Lancaster are quashed."

[Beatrice]

Once the news had been revealed at Pyrena Castle Lucinda picked Beatrice up and twirled as she hugged her, setting her back down on the sofa, pausing as she sat beside her. "I know that wasn't expected and I apolo..." This is where Beatrice would hold a single finger to Lucinda's lips and give a "shush" sound, "You've been doing so well, you don't get to apologize to me for outbursts of joy, understand?" Although she attempted to offer some protest Lucinda proceeded to sulk and look instead to the side, sighing. "Your next move is to let Alex know, ideally he would've been the first but circumstances precluded that."

"And your next move should be a concert," Beatrice replied as she flicked the tip of her nose. "Think we could make that happen?" Beatrice asked aloud, "just think, we've the biggest stage in the world right now aboard the Olympic and just think, I could show you my favourite apple tree on Royal lands. It won't be bearing fruit but once it is," she smiled fully, "I'll have a shipment sent here to the Castle so we can properly indulge. I'll go let Alex know you," she said with a smile, "wait for a moment before returning to your suite? We've some things to discuss."

Lucinda nodded, "You've 17 minutes, that will be sufficient to relay the information to Alex, allow his response, and I've included your travel time to the adjacent room and back in that calculation. If you take longer I'm going to bed." "I'll be back by midnight, fairy godmother," Beatrice replied playfully to a somewhat unamused Lucinda. "Your time has started," she would simply say in reply as she pointed to her watch.

[Achkaerin]

Navigating the aftermath of the storm they'd just come through was always going to take time, they'd started that process before the Olympic trip and now came the next step the inner circle of the Imperial Palace sat around Asuna's office. Emerson looked around "Ok let's take this one thing at a time." He said looking over his papers "Imperial Council nominees are on the sheets in front of you." at this point there were glances at the paper which read:

The Monarch (as a non voting member) - Empress Asuna
The Viceregent (as Chair) - Emerson Ravenswood
Kōshaku (as a non voting member) - Evanthe Rhodes
Liaison for the Imperial Council - Esumi Fujita
Imperial Councillor for Home Affairs - Sumire Hiramatsu
Imperial Councillor for Foreign Affairs - Ri Sang Hee
Imperial Councillor for Treasury and Finance - Melinda Calison
Imperial Councillor for Defence - Katayama Rei
Imperial Councillor Justice - Shinjirō Koizumi
Imperial Councillor for Agriculture and the Environment - Ouchi Yuki
Imperial Councillor for Business - Raizen Yoki
Imperial Councillor for Work and Pensions -  William Hartnell
Imperial Councillor for Science and Technology - Abigail Remeltin
Imperial Councillor for Health - Dr Udo Tsukino
Imperial Councillor for Education - Sophia Anselmo
Imperial Councillor for Overseas Dependencies - Michael Kensington

"It's a mix of Rokkenjima's political heavyweights, it's almost a pantheon of the last twenty years." Emerson continued "There are a few surprises in there that you may be raising eyebrows at."
"I'll say." Liosa said with a slight chuckle "Are you trying to tell Sugano where to get off?"
"Not directly." Emerson said "When I nominated the Imperial Council a few years ago now it was when Evanthe was Empress, the driving force at that moment in time was to build a foundation for Asuna's reign, we did that and we did it so well that not even Rowe's storm could shatter it. Now though we're looking at practicality, we're looking to build. That means we need experience and we have that in spades Hartnell, Kensington, Rei, Koizumi and Yoki all very seasoned politicians and Doctor Tsukino is a titan of his field as is Abigail Remeltin. We've got the younger generation represented through Ouchi Yuki and yes I am proposing my own daughter for a role. This is about getting the next generation used to public service and the public themselves coming to know their leaders that are going to emerge over the years to come. I'm proposing Sophia at education but in ten maybe fifteen years it may be that she becomes Imperial Councillor for foreign affairs. Esumi is someone who has been volunteering in my office for the last few years after school firstly on a CPO and then she stuck around, she's got more Rokkenjiman political knowledge than quite a lot of the members of the Diet so in my opinion she's the perfect person to be the bridge between Diet and Palace. The two headline grabbers will be Sumire and Sang Hee.  Sumire knows what is required of her in the role, she's an experienced hand at the table it would be foolish not to take advantage of that but we do so in a way where any lingering negatives around her are minimised and with her conviction quashed she has earned a shot at redemption. Sang Hee will be viewed as the most surprising nominee, former Kusanese leader now living in exile here, I'm not proposing her because of her experience of Rokkenjiman foreign policy from this end that's why Evanthe's on there as a non voting member. I'm proposing her because she can provide the critical voice, the warnings, something which has lacked in Rokkenjima. She can bring her understanding of how the international community views Rokkenjima and help to navigate."

"How are you going to get these through?" Evanthe asked
"I've already spoken with Yuriko, Shinzo and Masako." Emerson said referring to the leaders of the Centre Party, Green Party and Socialist Party respectively "They will get the list through the Councillors. Getting it through the commons is a tricky because Teikokuto has a majority so at worst they usually win 427-423. Again having spoken with Yuriko, Shinzo and Masako we think we can flip a handful of Teikokuto votes from the more moderate wing of the party to get the list through, I'd expect Sugano to be very vocal about the list but he'll have to live with it." he looked at Asuna "Once the Imperial Council is appointed you can set the date for the election and the wheels can start turning. We need the Council first so that we can govern while the Diet isn't sitting."

"Which brings us to Beatrice." Liosa said
"Yeah." Emerson said "I don't like saying this but the Palace is politically neutral, the Crown is not a party and it doesn't involve itself in elections. There's no rule that says she can't run but as she's running she's going to be bound by the same rules as every other candidate. She won't have access to the family money for her campaign, she won't be allowed to campaign on Royal Premises which means she can't hold events or meetings that pertain to this at Pyrena, she won't be allowed to have active members of the Royal Family as part of her campaign, there will be no statements of endorsement or support from the Palace and the name Saisei will not be on the ballot paper that's her regnal name, the name that will on the ballot is Beatrice Anselmo. It's an unusual position but that's what we're working with, we can't be seen to involve ourselves in her campaign, we don't want to give anyone reason to claim fraud but obviously the security team assigned will do its job. Kayleigh?"

"On another note Kikyo." Kayleigh said "She finishes the summer term at Vicheshire next week. She's been sleeping in Maki Hamer's spare room after we arrested her so called parents. I have no security cover out there apart from Maki, fortunately we haven't said 'she's an Anselmo' so we haven't needed it because she's hidden. Over the summer I want to bring her closer to home, enrol her at the same school as Lucius so we can get her covered under the radar, have her in a safehouse with a cover family, continue to let her have the childhood and teenage years she probably looked forward to and then when she's eighteen she can be unveiled. This is about her privacy and letting her get through school without the added pressure. I'll walk you through the rest of this should we implement it."

"Lastly." Liosa said "Rowe's court martial. I can't guarantee a fair trial, multiple reasons, he's standing accused of crimes against Rokkenjima, he's by the book going to be judged by people he had authority over, whose careers he probably influenced, likely prosecuted by someone he knows... it's a situation we can't have happen, this needs to be resolved."
"How?" Emerson asked
"I want to say we take a leaf out of the Morelanders book ten years ago James Ironside was tried by a very significant tribunal. We need a jury that is Rowes peers but also fair, so we'd be asking the international community to get involved in that respect, we do the usual Uppsalla routine for a judge. I'll arrange for you to meet a potential prosecutor. Rowe gets to appoint whoever he likes to defend him." Liosa said "More than anything this needs to be done right, we need to make sure that one way or the other this is where it ends."
"And if Rowe does go down, then we talk about who the next Grand Marshall may be." Emerson said

[Beatrice]

"Quite the understatement," Asuna said at the mention of raising eyebrows. "Especially with Sugano speaking of running "barbarians" into the seas; his base will be elated at the opportunities for word-craft this will give him. Furthermore I wouldn't wish to give him any ammunition against my mother, in addition to ensuring that this is a choice of the People." While Asuna held a bit of jealousy as to the discussion of precautions to be taken for Kikyo she held them within her; if nothing else she could live a bit of a normal life vicariously through watching over her though. "We'll see that the process which delivers justice in the case of Rowe is beyond question as it delivers its verdict; crimes of this magnitude demand that much, after all. How will we go about constructing such an international effort?"

[Achkaerin]

"By you making a request to the international community." Liosa said "It's not a small thing asking for the nations of Mundus to essentially take a likely senior military officer off assignment for something like this but ultimately we can't risk the possibility of either the judge or the jury or the prosecutor being in Rowe's pocket. We'll ask the Uppsala CAC to assign the judge from amongst its ranks as there's no other international body better suited to that. We ask the nations of Mundus to make up the jury in the same manner that East Moreland did in respect of James Ironside. I will find you someone to prosecute this. This is about asking people."

[Beatrice]

"I'll see that it's done in the coming days," Asuna sighed, "for now I need some rest, recent times have been most eventful. We'll reconvene once I've made the request and move forward from there."