The Plot To Destroy Rokkenjiman Democracy

[Beatrice]

As she did as instructed the movements became more fluid, almost as if muscle memory replaced that which trauma had robbed from her, which brought a grin to her face. "Look at me, doubting myself," she sighed as she allowed the sword in her hands to be a natural extension of her physical and, perhaps, spiritual, self. "I've had many before me in life, countless friends along the way who each imparted something within me that would one day help me and here I am, rediscovering what I've been gifted with in the past and it makes me happy. This," she said as she looked to the sword held by her hand, "I know this, and it's one piece to me being myself again. I got this," she said almost solely to herself, "and now that I'm remembering more of my triumphs than my defeats, are you prepared for the wildcard that's about to come?" she concluded with a confident smirk. "One does not spend time with the Morelanders and not encounter what we hold in our hands," she continued, "I just needed to remember some self worth. Thank you, and brace yourself."
"The bastard is shooting blindly," Kado said as the names of his agents who had not reported in for the day were displayed on his screen. "Twelve names as reported in their trash piece yes, but most having any meaningful connection to Ashinxao either way," he continued, talking aloud as if he were talking to someone. "You play a poor game of chess, my dearest Rowe," he said as he opened a new window on the screen before him, bringing up a chat conversation with <0.

K: Amateur move on Rowe's part, yes?

<0: I mean like if you wanted to broadcast something this is what you would do to accomplish that. Only a handful of those people were even involved in any way with Ashinxao....pay attention to how many of yours have children K

K: He's trying to buy some leverage.

<0: Exactly, these people weren't picked at random, he has something on them, something for them to lose. Dangerous waters ahead, friend.

K: I'll do what must be done to take this asshole down, hello Blue Seagull?

<0: Maybe, don't get ahead of yourself Kado, let me do the homework.

K: Let me know what you find then, yes?

<0: Already on it, bro.

K: A model of efficiency in your craft, you have my reverence.

<0: Goodnight, K, get some sleep and let the din of my keyboard bring me some pleasure, irony I know, but I enjoy it.

<0: Good, you took my advice of sleep, sweet dreams and many dead traitors before you, friend 

[Achkaerin]

"For?" Gemma asked twirling her wooden blade "I'm not some overconfident amateur, we train with these day in and day out." she blocked the first swing Asuna sent her way, and then another and then another "Not bad but you're just swinging you're not fighting." she parried another strike "I can read your strikes, you're repeating the same moves over and over again that's just lashing out. Cool head is what you need" she sidestepped, tripping Asuna with her foot and knocking the wooden blade from the Empress's hand with her own "A fight is about more than just the sword, it's about your body, your opponent and your surroundings." she had the point of her wooden blade at Asuna's throat "Food and then bed I think."

At Pyrena Hazel was making her way down into the medical wing of the Castle, it was another disused room with plenty of covers over things but it wasn't anything hidden under the sheets that she was looking for no she was looking for something else and upon seeing the small black dome on the wall she smiled and put her phone to her ear "Found it, now let's hope the digital records are there." she said before heading back up the stairs and going to what had been the security control room once upon a time, entering the access code she had she brought up the archive and input the date - 20th January 2007. To anyone who had been there at the time this would undoubtedly be nostalgic as familiar figures could be seen on the various security footage images from that date, finding the one for the operating theatre she brought it up and took a quick look at it "Ok I've got it, Beatrice Anselmo in the operating theatre at Pyrena. Sending it over to you now."

At Commonwealth House Serenity finished doing the washing up and looked at Michelle "So what do you think?" she asked
"She's got an identity crisis that's for sure, she doesn't know how to be the Empress of Rokkenjima so she's struggling with all the moral issues." Michelle said "She wasn't ready and the responsibility for that lies at her parents door. Beatrice had seven years of learning and experience, taught by your father before she restored Rokkenjima's monarchy, you had nine years active royal service before you were crowned, David's started Rhiannon young, she's got years and she's not a teenager yet. Point is you, David, your dad, Beatrice, Eijiro etc all were prepared for the moment the crown was put on your head, Asuna has had none of that. Think about it how many times did you go to a summit and it was always Beatrice or Evanthe?"
"No future planning." Serenity asked
"More the shadow of giants." Michelle said "Asuna's got a rough deal to be honest, her mother's always going to be this pivotal figure in Rokkenjiman history, restoration of the monarchy, rebuilding a country, huge diplomatic figure. Add in Evanthe's international record and Emerson Ravenswood's record as Viceregent and that's three people she'll never measure up to and that's playing on her subconscious. Normally I'd smash the illusion but we're talking about her mother."

"So what are you going to do?" Serenity asked
"Help her figure out who she is." Michelle said "She's got to break free of the shadow or it's all for naught."

[Beatrice]

Asuna sighed, but ultimately nodded, "we'll pick up where we left off tomorrow then?" Every day is a new opportunity for improvement, after all."

[Achkaerin]

"That's the plan." Gemma said pulling Asuna up "Though tomorrow we may start with teaching you how to kick a soccer ball." it wasn't that much longer before the pair were climbing up into the treehouse for the night.

In Valtheim Elena Walsh sat in her flat watching the security footage that Hazel had sent over, she was reading over her notes according to all information so far found and that which was archived this was a routine operation to repair an internal bleed in Beatrice's uterus it wasn't an eyebrow raising complication, what was odd was the consent form turning up on the laptop in Rowe's storage unit. Suddenly she leaned forward "What the..." she said looking at the screen "But that's... nothing to do with an internal bleed. You've got to be kidding me." she picked up her phone and called Rion.

When morning came around Gemma and Asuna rowed back from the island, Serenity was waiting for them "Your dad's here." Serenity said looking at Asuna "And when you're done Michelle wants to assess you and then with a bit of luck we can breathe a whole lot easier." she giggled as the smiling Asuna practically sprinted inside
"Such a daddy's girl." Gemma said following after Asuna.

That, as far as Serenity was concerned, really should have been that Asuna hopefully back on the straight and narrow, focus could shift back to dealing with the threat posed by this conspiracy but then Rion walked through the door.
"You need to see this." Rion said
"Ok." Serenity said following Rion into the kitchen "What is it?"
"My people went through some security footage from Pyrena last night." Rion said handing Serenity an electronic tablet "What do you see?"
"What's the surgery?" Serenity asked
"Emergency repair of a bleed in the uterus." Rion said
"She had a miscarriage so that sounds like dealing with a complication." Serenity said
"I agree but keep watching." Rion said

Then Serenity saw exactly what Elena had seen the previous night "Holy..." she said "Is that?"
"Harvesting Beatrice's eggs?" Rion said "Yes."
"But why?" Serenity asked
"Remember the question we asked a year or so ago about Kyoko?" Rion asked "Why out her?"
"Because if they didn't we would." Serenity said "Charles didn't want to expose Kyoko he was forced to because once Rokkenjima had no heir apparent we pull Kyoko out. And with Cecelia back it would have been substantiated."
"You wanted to know their endgame I think we've found it." Rion said
"You know what you need to do then." Serenity said "Anything else?"
"Every doctor, nurse and orderly involved in that procedure is dead or presumed dead at least according to records." Rion said "I call that suspicious."

Serenity sighed this was going to be a rough day she could feel it "Euphy." she called
"Yes?" Euphy asked coming into the kitchen
"We need to go to Pyrena." Serenity said "Val can watch the kids."
"Are you taking Asuna and her dad?" Rion asked, Serenity's eyes went to where Michelle was making her morning cup of coffee
"If I drop the metaphorical bombshell on Asuna right now how's she going to react?" Serenity asked
"She's tough, despite her own self doubts, give her a demon she may run a mile, give her something to look forward to and she can take it." Michelle said
"How bad is it?" Euphy asked
"When it comes to bad it's not her I'm worried about." Serenity said "But I can't ignore that this impacts her, so she's got to be told."

"Do I tell Kado?" Rion asked
"You tell him to get himself to Pyrena and you don't promise him dinner." Serenity said
"I do not flirt with Kado how many times?" Rion said
"For you intellectual debate is flirting." Michelle said

[Beatrice]

"Why hello there...oof," Alex said as she nearly tackled him to the ground with her running hug. "I'm happy to see you too," he continued as he set her feet-down on the ground, "I'm not going to pretend the last few years haven't been difficult for all of us, but I promise you that's all behind us," Asuna would tilt her head inquisitively. "I've made the arrangements and settled remaining affairs elsewhere and while I won't be joining you in the Imperial Palace I'll be home again. Naturally I have to be proud of my girl in finding herself a home which almost, and I say almost because mum would smack me over the head if I dared belittle her beloved Pyrena, but it almost outdoes it." "But the Palace doesn't have a TARDIS in the basement," she said with a scowl, prompting a chuckle from Alex. "I imagine, if you're not too grown up for a sleepover, you'd be welcome any time, I'll need the best at the helm after all," he said with a wink.

"Thank you for recognizing that," she said smugly. "I see you're doing well then, what, with that echo of your mum's bluster in your voice. I'm not going to ask you to share everything on what happened now, you can talk to me on your own terms and at your own pace, but know I'm always going to be here for you and I'm not leaving your side, alright?" he said which was replied in a nod. "Well then, I think we need to see that things are tied up here and, hopefully, see you home soon. Although I must add," he paused as he looked at a note, "who is this Thomas I've read up on? I might not be Emperor anymore but I still have my contacts and if he ever were to break your heart, well..." "You will not calling Lucinda, he's one of the good guys, like you are," she said as she hugged him again. "He better be," Alex said resting his chin on her head, "I'm sorry we haven't had moments like this for so long, we haven't been a family but I think the storm is behind us now, and we survived it. I'm going to make my way over to Pyrena, I've a second surprise to deliver. I love you, Asu," he continued as he kissed her forehead, "we'll never be apart again, I promise."

"Good, because if you break it I'm taking the TARDIS and installing it in the Palace. I'm Empress now," she said with a grin, "I have people who can make that happen, you know." "Duly noted, your Majesty," he said with a bow, "I wouldn't want to earn the ire of the Empress, after all. That aside," he said as he opened his suitcase, "this picture book helped me to keep my sanity while I was away. Every important moment, every moment your mum and I thought was important, is captured within the pictures here. I think there's even a shard of that clay flag you made for your first crush somewhere in there, I'll be sure to show it to Thomas when I get to meet him." While he had the chance to complete that sentence it was not before Asuna's foot made contact with his shin, "Duly noted, don't do that," he chuckled as he tousled her hair. "Mum and I will see you soon."
"Well then, are we here to compare notes and findings?" Kado would ask upon his arrival to Pyrena. "I would say that the cage has certainly been rattled at Imperial High Command with the activities I've been taking note of as of late. Of course, afterwards, I know of the finest Sushi-ya establishment in Pyrettania which would be the perfect place to align our respective investigations to date. And while my, shall we call them, guests haven't been the most forthcoming by way of mouth, I'd say their extracurricular activities have spoken where the cat has caught their tongue. Full Spectrum has been a boon to my investigation, what, even if they were wise enough not to share certain details digitally the locations of certain people's cell phones in the same place at times one would not expect them to be together...I digress though, we've certainly much to discuss."

[Achkaerin]

It was harder to tell who was more surprised to see the near mass arrival at Pyrena, Beatrice or Lucinda, about ten minutes and one raid on the drinks cellar later they were sat around in one of the larger reception rooms. "This isn't an update on the whole matter so to speak." Rion said from where she sat next to Kado "Because we're still just scratching beneath the surface in that respect, we do think we know what the endgame of these conspirators is. And before you ask what it is, we're going to tell you because of what it concerns but let me clear we're telling you because it concerns you, we're not going to tell you specifics of what action we're going to take in response." she looked at Serenity and nodded

"One part of this investigation turned up a cache of various documents, photographs and so on. We're still ploughing through them but one of them was this." Serenity said putting the medical consent form on a table in front of Beatrice "That dates from the 20th of January 2007, it concerns the complication you had after your miscarriage, we presume the emergency nature of the surgery is why Alex signed the form. Nothing unusual in that respect, the oddity is that it was in this document cache so it was investigated further and in the security archives for Pyrena we found the footage of the operation." Serenity paused to allow Rion time to put an electronic tablet in front of Beatrice so she could watch the relevant part of it. "Everything prior to this part was exactly what would be expected of an internal bleed repair, however and there's no easy way of saying this that's not all they did, after they repaired the bleed the medical team harvested some of your eggs."

"It gets worse I'm afraid" Rion said "Everyone involved in carrying out that surgery is now dead, I call that a little suspicious. As for why this was done, well this is their endgame." she took a breath "Just over a year ago we were all operating on the assumption that what we called the Ofdensen plot worked on the premise of discredit and invalidate each Anselmo to roll back the clock twenty years to a Rokkenjiman Republic, however with what we now know I think different. If you're going to play puppeteer in Rokkenjima then the easiest way is to have an Empress who is easily influenced and not sure what they're doing, now despite what I would call several high profile howlers from the various Rokkenjiman Empresses in the room none of you were or are easily led, you know your own minds. That harvesting of your eggs carries an implication, it means there's the possibility of another Anselmo out there, a sibling for Asuna but more significantly someone who would be next in line to the throne who would also be a blank page."

"It takes a little to sink in." Serenity said "But it makes sense, if you want to run an Empire from behind the scenes you need someone easily controlled on the throne, among other things but that's the main one."
"I won't ask the question that I would like to, because it's immaterial and that's something for behind closed doors." Rion said "As for what we do next, if there is another Anselmo out there my people will find them meanwhile Kado and his people are, mainly because of one ill advised press release, going to end up in a game of tit for tat that's going to look like it belongs on the school playground. These are the things we need to do, just because we think we know where they want to go doesn't mean we know how they plan to get there and the longer Kado can keep them in knots the more time I have to dig and then when we have what we need we trap them."

With that Rion stood up and left the room with Kado not far behind once they were out into the gardens she let out a huge sigh of relief and ran her hands through her hair, now for what she'd thought of that she couldn't say in front of Asuna "Kyoko's existence." she said looking at Kado "It was a secret with a very small circle, I know who all the involved Rokkenjimans were and I know none of them now work for the INIS. They had to put Kyoko on the board so we couldn't." she smiled a little "Find the INIS agent who discovered that Lucretia Marino is Kyoko Anselmo and you'll find Seagull." she sighed again "And you still owe me dinner."

[Beatrice]

Beatrice remained silent for the most part before looking aside, "is there any manner in which I have not been violated? In the past year I've learned that I was drugged and now I'm informed that these deranged bastards harvested my eggs and made themselves some science tube Empress? They're only fortunate," she paused, "that I am not Empress today and that Lucinda doesn't have her agents at her back because I would see every ounce of justice, and yes vengeance, extracted from them before their bodies laid before my feet. Forgive me," she sighed, "I know there is much at play here, but I can't help but to take all of this in personally all the same. We can't change the past but," she said looking to Asuna, "we can ensure that this ends, before they subject my beautiful girl to the same cruelties I was subjected to." Alex, meanwhile, walked to the window, opening it and taking in the air around Pyrettania before turning back to the assembly before him.

"It sickens me to know what you've been subjected to and I look back at the moment I signed those papers and feel a weight upon me, hearing this how could I not? But," he paused, "if there is another Anselmo out there, I know that you know it's not their fault, we can't change the past but do you think you could love and accept them, just as you do our Asu and Lucius, and think how this will shatter their understanding of every aspect of their life." "You already know the answer to that," Beatrice said as she took Alex's hand in her own, "the real question is could you accept them, they wouldn't be your chil..." "And stop right there," Alex said as he kissed her fingers, "I love what you love, and who is family to you is family to me, if there is another Anselmo out there they deserve to inherit...my sarcasm, at the very least" he said in an attempt to lighten the mood, to which Beatrice stomped on his toes lightly. "It'll be me giving you lessons tonight, in decorum and what [ii]not[/i] to say when others are present, understood?" she said resting her head against him, "you really do ground me though, you know?" "Do those lessons involve....I'll end there as Asu is present," he sighed, as Asuna rolled her eyes. "You two, keep it to the bedroom for once?"

"And let's not lose sight,  if there is another Anselmo I have a sibling to look after," Asuna would add, "and if they are out there, they're perhaps more vulnerable than any of us here in this moment. Rion, please, the moment you find them, I imagine they'll be my sister given the Constitution of the time favouring the female line of our family, make sure she's protected, and I'd like to meet her if she is out there."

With a few taps on his phone screen out of the way Kado nodded, "Duly noted and acted upon. I have already reserved a table at Sushi Pyrettania, it's in the heart of the cultural district and boasts some of the best sushi Rokkenjima has to offer, and the chef on duty has a favour to repay given my involvement in a situation he faced 15 years ago so even if it's not on the menu, he'll prepare whatever we should request. I swear he makes the best Uramaki throughout the whole of Rokkenjima or our neighbours, and have to recommend you sample it at the very least. It is," he paused to give a chef's kiss to the air, "simply exquisite, in form and execution. Why, my mouth waters just thinking of it."

[Achkaerin]

22nd February 2024

Hospitals weren't Serenity's favourite place, she'd had a couple of operations, had a few visits with the girls and of course now Euphy was on a hospital bed waiting for treatment for a parasitic liver infection, the treatment in question would be a live liver transplant, which was why members of the Anselmo family had been contacted and DNA tests were being done. It was one of the weirder family settings - Astrid and Lisa were sat doing their homework on the bed using the trolley table as a surface while Serenity sat in a chair talking with Euphy. Then Joe Naylor, one of the Royal Medical Team, put his head around the door "Your Majesty can we have a word?" he asked
"Sure." Serenity said, she got up and walked out of the room and found that Joe had been joined by Maddy Dale who was the Royal Physician "What's going on?"
"As you know we have security clearance so we get to see certain things, we get to be aware of certain things." Maddy said
"Yes." Serenity said
"Were it not for that we wouldn't raise this with you but we've got the DNA results back for Euphemia's potential donors" Joe said "Any of them would be a suitable and we'd recommend Sophia just based on age and health."
"So what's the issue?" Serenity asked
"I don't think that Sophia and Euphemia are sisters." Joe said "The DNA markers aren't there, there's enough to say they're related but they're not siblings. I ran them past Maddy and she agrees."
"So Sophia is an Anselmo but isn't Euphy's sister?" Serenity said "How hard to find out just who she is?"
"We've got all the DNA samples so we'd have to run a few comparisons." Joe said "Might take a couple of days."
"Do it in house and let's not advertise it." Serenity said

At the Marble Palace the latest meeting on the issue was going on "It just doesn't make sense." Rion said from where she stood looking out of the study window at the gardens.
"What doesn't?" Peter asked
"Any of it." Rion said "Last time around with Charles I'd have bought a power play all day long. But with what we know now? It doesn't add up."
"Reason?" Peter asked
"Lack of motive." Rion said "If we're going to say that Charles Ofdensen, Alex Rowe, Groves, Lucius Stanley, Sumire Abruscato, Lancaster etc were all party to the same conspiracy then where's the motive? Power? They already had it - Charles was Lord High Steward, Rowe was a prominent and highly respected military officer and is now the Grand Marshall he's the most senior rank in the Rokkenjiman military, Lucius Stanley is the Empress's lawyer. They're in positions of power or would be, consider what happens if the Andean Genocide doesn't happen - Henry Cole is still going to retire at some point so Rowe still gets to be Grand Marshall, Lucius Stanley retains position, Ofdensen is probably still Lord High Steward, Evanthe's viceregent, Asuna's Crown Princess, Beatrice is Empress and most critically she's still likely doped up to the eyeballs the perfect puppet, that's the position you want if you're these conspirators so why throw it away?"

"You mean why sign the Mentorship?" Peter asked
"Yeah." Rion said "Too much of a risk, why expose yourselves like that? Because you're either going down or you're putting Beatrice down either way you're losing the position of power."
"Have you got an answer?" Peter asked
"The only answer that makes sense is that all of them are expendable pieces in someone elses game." Rion said "Kado and I had this figured at four individuals I think there's a fifth, I think there's someone pulling all the strings and we don't know who that is, but we do have a good bet on the endgame - put this blank canvas, this sibling, on the Rokkenjiman throne and presumably influence them."
"Where are we on finding them?" Nettie asked
"We haven't pulled anything off of the hard drive about it but we may not need to." Rion said "If we've only been looking at pieces then each piece has a purpose..."
"Sumire Abruscato." Sakura said "Surrogacy?"
"You don't exactly let this Anselmo's existence be known outside a tight circle." Rion said
"And it's going to be military doctors loyal to Rowe or it's going to be Anausa loyal to Charles." Peter said "There's not going to be a record of Sumire giving birth anywhere."
"No there isn't." Rion said "But there will be a birth certificate for whoever that child is."
"Ok I'll have a word with the relevant authorities and see what we get from Sumire if anything." Peter said "Rion you stay the hell on preparing for the next step here because if there's an Anselmo sibling out there who's a piece in this puzzle then you know that means probably former Anausa in play."
"I know." Rion said

"Ok now tell me about this legal stuff." Peter said
"If Lucius Stanley wasn't already involved in this I'd be questioning whether he ever went to law school." Kumiko Arkwright, the Chief of Staff, said "It's pressure application."
"Yes it is." Adam Sheppard said "Alex Rowe is a soldier, he knows how to recognise stress and he knows how ill prepared Asuna was for the throne, so he piles on the pressure because he knows that if he can make her snap then he invalidates her, he discredits her and she's no longer Empress and that opens the path to the mystery sibling."
"It's more than that, if the perjury thing ever got to appeal the first question Beatrice gets asked is did she have a phone conversation with Barren?" Nettie said "She answers yes then it's not perjury but then you have the Morelanders likely wanting a word or two about it they might even take a shot at extradition. And that's before we question the perceived influence Barren could have over Asuna, it's non existent in reality but there's enough to start the rumours."

"And the thing with Kado?" Peter asked
"Asuna's ill advised press release didn't name names but put people on notice so a reaction had to happen that's why the INIS arrested people. There was always going to be blowback which is the SIS arresting twelve INIS agents, now I'm hoping that Kado actually showed the SCJ evidence of the twelve agents whereabouts that proves they were nowhere near the scene of the crime on the night in question because otherwise it looks a whole lot more shady." Rion said "It allows Rowe to play the victim and he's playing a blinder."
"So what's his next move?" Peter asked
"He needs to pick a fight and I think he's already picked it." Rion said
"Kusan right?" Adam said, Rion nodded
"Complicity where it's not proven." Nettie said "Would have been enough ten years ago."
"That may be true but I don't think Kusan is party to this." Rion said "It doesn't add, they're the fall guy and I think Rowe and these other conspirators need to cover something up."
"You know what I'm going to say." Peter said
"I'm on the next flight down there." Rion said
"What's his next move now the evidence has failed to convince?" Peter asked
"If it's a fight with Kusan he wants he'll find a way to force one or at least try to force one." Rion said "I've got an idea of what I think the play is and I'll liaise with the MDI to counter it."
"Ok you work on stopping their end run, take their legs out if needed." Peter said

[Beatrice]

"You've got to be kidding me," Kado said to Lucinda after he read the pages he had set upon his desk. "I've sat before me orders signed by the Saisei Empress like this one," he said as he handed it back to her, "which declares that the First Empire must enact every possible energy against the sun, including via nuclear weapons deployed in space to moving units which do not, and have never, even existed. Yet this one, Imperial Order 99011372, did you see it?" he asked, to which Lucinda shook her head. "Allow me to read you the text then," he continued:

"With immediate effect I order Rokkenjiman commanders operating in Nueva Ardia to seize full control of Toshikawan units operating within the borders of Nueva Ardia to effect a swift and determined end to the hostilities being committed henceforth and to see that reports of atrocities being committed in the name of Toshikawa to be investigated and duly acted upon at the earliest moment possible."

"The only issue is," Kado continued, "that order never left the confines of Imperial High Command; there is no record of Imperial Order 99011372 outside of the information <0 has scrapped from shared resources between the various services of the Imperial Rokkenjiman Armed Forces. I'm certain this was written by someone in IHC to placate the Empress at the time, but it shows that, on some capacity at least, there was a flicker within her and she felt that she had brought an end to the actions of Toshikawa, incapacitated as she was even. It's impressive that her constitution was in tact, but then, why proceed to ultimately burn, so to say, the Empress? The pieces were in place, the players were comfortable in their positions, success was just outside their reach. Why introduce this unnecessary variable into the equation?"

"Beatrice is an immovable rock, her words prior to this event were always backed with actions so she was a faithful partner until the bastard poisoned her," Lucinda said without hesitation, "and Asuna is a bleeding heart for all who feel pain and sorrow, they know that and know that she will feel all that those who have lost feel. They required a clean board, a clear slate, so first you remove Beatrice, try to mold Asuna and, failing that, you clear the board and start from scratch. If you would allow it I could go to his office in this moment and see that his treason ends here, this night, I'll make it look as though he died of natural cause..." "And then we make a martyr out of him for those subscribed to his cause, I'm sorry but, no," Kado sighed. "I know how you feel for Saisei, but that is not the path that serves her interests best."

"Then what is?" Lucinda asked pointedly. "We do this by the book," Kado responded. "I will be transmitting your findings to our foreign friends and we'll move forward from there, and I will promise you that anyone connected to this horrible business is held accountable to the highest standard. What we won't be doing is killing them in black sites, or giving their ardent adherents a motive to further their plots further. I've a call to make," he said as he dismissed Lucinda with a motion of his hand, sharing what she had brought before him with the Achkaerinese.

[Achkaerin]

The corridors of Coral Rift prison were nothing new to Gary Newton though this was perhaps the most unusual visit he'd ever made to the facility, making his way to the visiting room she sat down and waited a few moments before a guard opened the door and brought in Sumire Abruscato, Rokkenjiman nobility, former Imperial Councillor, former Mentor of Toshikawa and now if the theories were right just another sacrificed piece in whatever game was being played. "Ms Abruscato." Gary said slowly "Have a seat."
"Lieutenant" Sumire said "Why does my counsel want to see me?"
"I'm authorized to offer you a deal." Gary said, it had been a hell of a conversation to have with Lt Foster but the situation being what it was she had agreed to it, "We need information about something we believe you know about."
"And in exchange?" Sumire asked
"You get moved to a lower risk prison, somewhere with more privileges." Gary said "And that's just for starters." he put a piece of paper in front of Sumire "All spelled out for you."
"What do you want to know?" Sumire asked

"On the 20th of January 2007, Beatrice Anselmo underwent a medical procedure at Pyrena to repair an internal bleed in her uterus resulting from a recent miscarriage." Gary said "Footage of that surgery shows that the doctors involved not only repaired the bleed but without good reason harvested Beatrice's eggs. The implication of that is the same as was the case fifteen years earlier, to create a 'break glass in case of emergency' heir. But while in the case of Kyoko it was done with noble intentions, not so in this instance this time it was with malicious intent. I think this is another thing chalked up to the group of conspirators you're part of." he took a moment to look straight at her "Are you the birth mother to this other Anselmo? Yes or no."
"Yes." Sumire said after a moment
"Give me a name." Gary said
"Kikyo Hase, she was born on the Abruscato estate, I was 'ill' for a few months of 2007, two Anausa agents that Charles had in his pocket took her and moved to Jenka -Jenkinson." Sumire said "The agents pose as her parents and I assume have done their job of grooming her for the throne."
"Why?" Gary asked
"To correct a near sixty year old wrong." Sumire said "At least that's what Charles told me."
"What wrong?" Gary asked
"I never heard the full story." Sumire said "Look I'm not a vindictive person, and despite what people may think I never acted with ill intent as an Imperial Councillor or as Beatrice's friend, that was all genuine not duplicitous, my job was done the moment the birth happened. You can't offer me absolution I know that but I'll point you to what you don't know." she took a breath "The child of Tairo."
"Thank you." Gary said "I want all that in a statement."

The study at the Marble Palace was a little fuller than usual as the latest meeting on this took place Serenity was present, with every intention of running back to the hospital once it was over, around the room the various advisors and officers sat and stood and then Gary walked in.
"Please tell me you've got a name Lieutenant." Serenity said
"I have Kikyo Hase." Gary said "Had a quick bit of research done she attends Vicheshire School in Jenka-Jenkinson, sixteen years old."
"She's also the girl who just got invited along with her class to the Youth Diet in Rokkenjima." Nettie said
"Rowe's moving his pieces." Serenity said
"There was something else." Gary said "Sumire says this is about a sixty year old wrong and pointed us at the child of Tairo whatever that means."
"It's not a what it's a who." Peter said
"You know what it means?" Nettie asked

"Yes." Peter said going over to a whiteboard that sat in the room and drawing up the Anselmo family tree "This is what we usually think of, work it backwards you have Asuna, Lucius and Kikyo going up to Beatrice married to Alex and Kyoko as a sibling and then up again to Cecelia and Kichiro and of course biologically myself. That's the main branch, then if we do Euphy's branch you have her and you go up to her parents Usagi and Aaron, then on Evanthe's side you have Evanthe and you go up to her parents Mieko and Madara."
"Do we know where Sophia fits in to this yet?" Serenity asked
"Yes we do." Maddy said "Based on DNA comparison and further testing we believe Sophia is Evanthe's daughter."
"Wow." Serenity said "She was born in late 2001... the picture."
"Yep." Peter said putting Sophia's name on the tree "And we know that Emerson's the father because there's no way in heck you forget a younger Emerson Ravenswood spending the night of the Constellation Ball in Wyvern Castle and then sharing looks with Evanthe over breakfast."
"No one tells them yet." Nettie said
"Exactly now that's what we normally think about when we go at the Anselmo family tree." Peter said "But Cecelia, Usagi and Mieko are sisters if you go back a further generation you get the then exiled Empress Kikyou." he took a breath as he drew the line and put that name up. "Now watch what happens when I put the birth years up for those three sisters." he put 1970 next to Usagi, 1966 next to Cecelia and 1964 next to Mieko.

"Hang on a minute that would mean..." Nettie said
"That by convention Mieko not Cecelia should have taken the crown?" Peter asked "Yes."
"Why didn't she?" Nettie said
"Because it was decided otherwise, but that's only half the story." Peter said "Anyone want to ask the other obvious question?"
"Madara." Sakura said "Is a Rokkenjiman name."
"Yes, but Evanthe isn't entirely of Rokkenjiman heritage." Peter said
"I get the implication but what's that got to do with the child of Tairo?" Serenity asked
"I assume Alex has had time to look that up by now." Peter said looking at where Alexandria Savage otherwise known as Alex was sitting looking at her tablet.

"Mieko Anselmo is the child of Tairo" Alex said "Damn this is ancient, in 1964 Kikyou Anselmo visited what was then called Daito, on the return trip her yacht was boarded by what were at the time believed to be pirates but were later discovered to be Toshikawan militia I'll give you one guess which clan."
"Nekhaga." Serenity said
"Bingo." Alex said "Anyway the Toshikawan's subdued the crew and took the yacht and Kikyou to the nearest Rokkenjiman military port which at the time was Tairo. What the Toshikawan's didn't know was that Naoko Ryoma the companion soul to Kikyou got off a distress call to Autumn Wood Fort in Gowu, the ship was tracked to Tairo and a Justicar team sent in with Achkaerin Special Forces in support... The Justicars bribed the port commander to release Kikyou but this was four days later and in that time..."
"Kikyou had given birth to Mieko." Peter said "Officially Kikyou gave birth on the return trip, the Federal Republic were knee deep in Kusan at the time they weren't going to risk a war with us."
"Why did the Toshikawan's even do that?" Sakura asked
"We didn't know that for another thirty years." Esme said "The 1960's were the very beginning of what would eventually become the Bute movement, they were hoping that delivering Kikyou to the Federal Republic would get the Republic's support in terms of Gowu, the Bute element viewing that as Toshikawan soil which of course it isn't. That all came out at the Cherry-Lotus negotiations."

"I get it." Serenity said "Mieko is born on Rokkenjiman soil, she's pure blood, she's the blessed of Islnya according to the standard Yuna would set. By all accounts she should have been next on the throne so what happened?"
"The implication around Evanthe happened." Peter said "And it couldn't have happened at a worse time."
"Around the time that Mieko became pregnant in 1984 Kikyou fell quite seriously ill, Mieko was still traumatised from her ordeal so Cecelia was making the decisions, just after Evanthe was born Kikyou died but Mieko was still traumatised it wasn't clear if she'd ever recover so the Grand Maester made a decision and Cecelia was proclaimed as the monarch."
"And over time all that trauma, all that hatred turned to resentment." Nettie said "But she died in 2004."
"And we thought Cecelia died in 1997." Serenity said
"The question is where's she been?" Peter said
"That doesn't matter." Serenity said "But we can probably guess where she'll turn up."
"Kusan." Alex said "Rowe's angling for a fight, he's pushing hard for it and that's the trap. Kusan's innocent and when that gets discovered Asuna's either going to break if she hasn't already or she'll be forced out."
"Exactly." Serenity said "Push the button repeatedly, push it hard enough and it doesn't matter that the international community is saying 'no proof of complicity' because payback is expected and Rokkenjima will eventually demand it."
"And the Diet can vote for it." Nettie said "It would basically be a motion calling for action but Asuna can't ignore it she'd be hugely unpopular if she did. It only needs a fabricated smoking gun."

"I just had a rather disturbing thought." Peter said looking out of the study window "What if the reason Rowe knows Kusan is innocent is because he is guilty?"
"As in he orchestrated the Pyrettania..." Esme said "If that's true..."
"How?" Sakura asked
"There's one other plant." Serenity said "Nemphis."
"But opportunity?" Mark Sharpe the national security advisor said
"There is one." Peter said "Sobernakht's little uprising, Achkaerinese forces fought a running battle in and around the Nemphis compound, they could have stolen it then and delivered it. That could have been the whole point of the exercise."
"But when would they have made contact to set that up?" Nettie asked "We'd have known we were in country."
"In the middle of the Clysperi civil war Rokkenjima offered aid." Mark said "Which we declined because the situation was in hand but it's not beyond the realms they put people in anyway."
"Rowe's not the type to leave things to chance." Nettie said

"No he's not." Serenity said with a hint of anger in her voice before walking over to the whiteboard "Me and Euphy recently started reading the Harry Potter books to the girls in the Chamber of Secrets just before Harry fights the Basilisk there's a moment where the form of Riddle uses a wand and writes his name." she wrote TOM MARVOLO RIDDLE on the whiteboard "Which is an anagram of..." she wrote I AM LORD VOLDERMORT underneath the name
"So?" Sakura asked
"So what happens to this?" Serenity asked she wrote RAMOSE on the whiteboard "If you flip the M and do the same thing you get..." she wrote A S ROWE underneath Ramose "A.S Rowe, Alex Sebastian Rowe."
"Vanity." Nettie said "Could it be that simple?"
"It makes sense Ramose hasn't been heard from in a long time, no one's ever seen him, no one's ever met him, the guy may not look like Rowe but one rogue Anausa for appearance purposes and Rowe as the voice?" Mark asked
"Who does this guy think he is Palpatine?" Kumiko asked
"Apparently." Serenity said "But if that is true then you all know what it means he is responsible for, and if it is true then we will have him for it."

"So how do we stop him?" Alex asked "Because he's making his move."
"We've got just a few days." Serenity said "Alex you bring Rion up to speed, Kikyo is her ball neither Rowe nor any of his people get to her first, that plane does not fly direct to Pyrettania."
"Understood." Alex said
"Sakura you're going to Clysperis." Serenity said "We'll get some soldiers to provide an escort, go and see Sobernakht, cut him a deal and see what he gives you."
"Ok." Sakura said
"I'll go and see Emerson and Evanthe." Peter said "It should be me who tells them, Mieko was distant and cold when Evanthe was growing up and I'm the closest thing she's got to a father."
"Agreed." Serenity said "Kumiko you get onto the admiralty I've got a special job for them."
"I'll get them on the line." Kumiko said
"We take away Rowe's leverage, we neutralise the threat, let's get it done." Serenity said

As the room cleared it left only Serenity with Gary and Nell Foster, after having a drink of water Serenity looked at them "Ok." she said "Let's talk about what Kado found."
"It doesn't change anything." Nell said "All those records were sought in discovery and handed over in 2017 in the run up to trial, it's highly convenient for something new to turn up even more so because it says what it says. And even if the court let it in the date on the order is March 25th 2016, so Beatrice is still liable for the atrocities committed between February 14th and March 25th and she's already got the lightest possible sentence and then some."
"And if we're honest that order isn't the most interesting bit of what Kado found." Gary said "It's all the nonsense orders. Why have Beatrice sign them?"
"Go on." Serenity said
"We think and it's a leap." Nell said "That it's about source material specifically Beatrice's signature. She needs to sign things because she's Empress and the functioning of Government in Rokkenjima required it... but if she's got the awareness to recognise the events around her and react by for example giving that countermand order would you as Charles or Lucius Stanley put that which is critical in front of her?"

Serenity smiled when she saw what Nell was getting at "This can't come from our end and it can't involve your department." Serenity said
"It won't." Gary said "We've set a meeting for Elecktra Hope."
"SHIELD Law?" Serenity asked "I'll get Kyoko there. Let's get Lucius Stanley spinning."

At the Imperial Palace in Rokkenjima Kayleigh walked into Henry Cole's office "Don't ask me why just trust me." she said putting a piece of paper on the table "That needs to be the flight crew for the Imperial Ryusei going to pick up those kids from Jenka-Jenkinson in a few days." the two names were Achkaerinese military. Rowe was making his move so Kayleigh knew that there was no way that Rion was prepared to allow that plane outside of their control.

In Jenka-Jenkinson Maki Hamer, picked up her phone "Yes Rion?" she asked
"Correct me if I'm wrong but you're half siblings go to Vicheshire School?" Rion asked
"Yes, Sora's in her final year there and Colton's a couple back." Maki said "Why?"
"Kikyo Hase." Rion said "Know anything about her?"
"She just took over as Student Council President, succeeding Sora actually I think Colton's in her form." Maki said
"She just managed to get her social studies people a flight on the Rokkenjiman Imperial Ryusei to attend the Youth Diet in a few days time." Rion said "But here's the complication she's the lost Anselmo, she's Rowe's endgame."
"What do you want me to do?" Maki asked
"Get yourself on that plane." Rion said
"I'm listed as a chaperone with the school so that's not a problem." Maki said
"I'm getting Miku down there as well." Rion said "Kayleigh's liaising with Cole, we're getting control of the plane and going to beat Rowe to the punch. Only risk factor is Kikyo's parents, they're likely rogue Anausa so if they're on the plane watch yourself."
"Understood." Maki said

With the phone calls to Kayleigh and Maki done that only left one problem for Rion to deal with and it was something Kado could do. She wasn't doorstepping his office, no she was doorstepping his apartment. "We need to talk." she said quietly when he opened the door and let her in, once they were in the main room she looked at him "In a few days there's an Imperial Ryusei bringing a group of children over from Jenka-Jenkinson for the Youth Diet. On the day of that flight I need you to find a way or reason to shut down Arovia Air Traffic Control, don't ask me for details just know this is the future of Rokkenjima right here right now. You cannot risk using the INIS, because we cannot flag this, but if you can do that then it will mean that Brianna Azurewind ATC in Gowu takes over Arovia's remit during the outage and that is what we need to happen. Are you up for it?"

[Beatrice]

Cole took a glance at the names, nodded, and picked up the phone aside him. "Forrester, Cole here. We'll need to make a couple of adjustments to the flight crew for the upcoming Ryūsei flight due to pick up the Jenka-Jenkinson crew. Please see that these two," he said texting her the names, "relieve whoever is slated for the assignment; this falls under your purview so take advantage of that. And yes, next time you're in Pyrettania we'll visit that cafe you've gathered an affinity for. Much catching up to do, out," he said as he hung up the phone.

"A little adjustment we had following the incident with the Fusanese," Cole continued, "responsibilities for the maintenance and security of the Imperial Ryūsei falls under Vice Admiral Forrester's portfolio. I've no questions, however I'll trust that you know what you're doing with this." He then poured himself a cup of tea before turning to Kayleigh, "Tea, before you depart?"
As his personal assistant showed Rion to his study Kado lowered his book first, then his glasses just a bit, "And here I thought I would be spending the evening reading 1984," he continued as he placed the book down on the end table. "Thank you, Shiori, if my guest should want a drink?" he said motioning to Rion, raising his eyebrow after hearing what she had asked. "I have someone who can accomplish that and," he said as he initiated a call on his aOS TV, "Hello, ol' Lessy," he said, there was no video coming from the other end, simply a generic female avatar being displayed on the screen. "Ugh, what is it now, you know I was just catching up on the latest episode of Seven Goddesses since I told you specifically this is my day," to which Kado chuckled. "My apologies my dear, but duty calls. A need has arisen for Arovia Air Traffic Control to be shut down, or at least rendered inoperable in a few days. You have any ideas how we might make that happen?"

"Are you kidding me?" <0 would ask, "you're wasting my abilities on that? They're at least a version or two behind on their software updates, the Arovi like to pinch pennies, you could achieve these results by having one of yours walk in and flip a switch," she paused. "Oh none of mine can be anywhere near this, so what you're telling me is you can bring them down?" Kado said with a chuckle. "I'll have to effect a runtime error in their systems, but I can have them knocked out for as long as you need. It'll be easier than chewing bubblegum and kicking ass, because unlike Nada I prefer to do both at the same time." "Please see that it happens, then," Kado replied, to which <0 replied "Give me the precise moment and I'll have their systems down and entirely open to you, if need be."

"And where are my manners, the very reason I called you like this," he said turning to Rion. "Rion, <0, <0, Rion." "A pleasure," <0 replied, "I do a lot of dirty work for Kado, if it involves a Rokkenjiman computer system you should be thanking me instead of him for successful results. He was fortunate to inherit me from Lucinda, but seeing someone in his apartment aside from himself and Shiori, it's good to see my Kado making frien..." and with that Kado ended the call. "She'll get the job done," he said without missing a beat, "she does have her quirks though. With that business out of the way Shiori is preparing her signature Shogayaki, and she always prepares more than the both of us can eat. You're welcome to stay and partake."

"Also," Kado said with a grin, "INIS has leaked the transfer of a high-profile prisoner, one of Rowe's, which should draw the attention of whatever mole they've worked into my organisation. The only thing is, when they stumble upon the transport, it'll be filled either with a full INIS team with at least 12 guns pointed at their heads or an INIS-Justicar team pointing at least 12 guns at their heads. We've highlighted this," he said pulling out a map and pointing to a refueling point, "as the opportune time for them to attack, and then we see which INIS agent runs to inform the conspirators for their pat on the head for a job well done. Interested in making this a collaboration?"

[Achkaerin]

Rion looked at Kado "We're not going to need twelve guns trust me on that." she said "At least not all inside the van at any rate." she took a breath before smiling "Let's go pluck ourselves a Seagull."

SHIELD Law's main office was located in Valtheim, it was part of the so called 'Justice District' which was to say the area of Valtheim where the Supreme Court, Uppsalla Court Building, JAG Headquarters, Ministry of Justice and various law firms were all located. SHIELD Law itself was born out of an international law department from a now defunct firm, it had grown since then but it did retain it's specialism in the international field. The man behind it all was David Wheeler, he stood in his very professional suit in his very modern and very professional looking office and he wasn't alone Gary Newton and Nell Foster both in their navy uniforms stood to one side while David's friend and colleague Elecktra Hope was perched on the edge of David's desk, it amounted to quite a lot of legal brainpower and experience being in the room and that was just what the circumstances demanded. The quartet waited until a secretary came and escorted the person they were waiting for - Princess Kyoko into the room.
"Your Highness thank you for taking the time to make the trip, please have a seat." David said greeting her "I'm David Wheeler I'm the managing partner here at SHIELD Law, this is my colleague Elecktra Hope and I believe you know the two Lieutenants." he waited as Elecktra shook Kyoko's hand "This is a bit of an unusual meeting but I'll let Elecktra explain."

"Normally in our line of work we don't go proposing lawsuits, that belongs firmly in the realm of ambulance chasers not us, but thanks to the Lieutenants we've been made aware of something that we would like you to instruct us to pursue." Elecktra said "In simple terms we have reason to believe that the addendum to the Sakura-Umeko Accord which is to say the Mentorship of Toshikawa was never legally valid and we want to test that before the SCJ."
"However we need a client which is where we're hoping you come in." David said "We can't act on this without a client and from what we're told about present circumstances you are just about the only person who fits the bill." he put a standard letter of engagement in front of Kyoko on the desk.
"What they mean is this if the Addendum is invalid then the Mentorship is invalid." Gary said
"Do understand this may sound too good to be true but it isn't." Nell said "Legally speaking this will set off a chain reaction if it's successful. It also carries a huge political and diplomatic consequence for your niece to deal with. This can right a wrong done to your family but in turn your niece will be left to right a wrong that was therefore done to another party."
"We're advising you to instruct us to do this and slay this vampire already." David said "But it's ultimately up to you."

[Beatrice]

"Shall we take part ourselves, then?" Kado said with a pause followed by a grin. "By the Goddesses it's been too long since I've done field work, and to look the sons-a-bitches directly in the eyes, my Spidey-senses are tingling here. You down?" he asked with a grin.
Kyoko paused for a moment, considering the ramifications proposed to her, before simply nodding and adding, "Do it. Asuna's tough, she'll face whatever winds are at her face and brush them off to the side without a care in the world. My girl's got this," she continued with a smile.

[Achkaerin]

"You spend too much time in the office." Rion said rolling her eyes as she headed for the door, by comparison she pretty much operated from the field, "Come on I'll hold your hand and maybe let you try out one or two of our toys. I'll drive." as she headed for her car she half smiled Kado didn't know it yet but this was borderline an audition.

At the Royal Valtheim Hospital Serenity was settling into a hospital bed, in the same room as Euphy. Peter was stood there as Serenity handed him the letter that gave him back the authority, temporarily, that he was well versed in wielding. "Don't do anything cool while I'm out of it." Serenity said
"It's not like I'm going to be able to do much in twenty four hours or so is it?" Peter said he looked from Serenity to Euphy and smiled "Now the pair of you focus on yourselves and I'll see you when you're recovering."
"We will." Euphy said

Putting the letter in his inside jacket pocket Peter walked out of the room and down the corridor where his close friend Celine Tyler was waiting for him, stepping into the lift she waited for the doors to close before looking at him "There's one thing we haven't really thought about." she said
"Which is?" Peter asked
"If Mieko is in Kusan then the plan that Rowe is working to involves bringing her back to Rokkenjima." Celine said "So how exactly is that going to be accomplished?"
"I don't know yet." Peter said "But Rowe's pushing hard for military action, and if he doesn't get it for the nuclear material then he's going to do something else isn't he?"
"Yes he is." Celine said "He's going to force hands if he has to."
"Suggestion?" Peter asked
"Be ready to act so your granddaughter doesn't have to." Celine said

As they walked out of the lift Peter's phone rang "Yes Emerson?" he asked answering it
"When she gets out of surgery tell your daughter she's brilliant." Emerson said
"I already tell her that a lot..." Peter said "Why's she brilliant this time?"
"I just read a memo coming to the Imperial Government down here about a case being filed with the SCJ." Emerson said "It may not have her name on it but it's got Serenity's fingerprints all over it."
"Is Lucius Stanley locking himself in his office over it?" Peter asked
"He's not happy that's for sure, he's a little tetchy that it's Kyoko's name on the action." Emerson said
"I'm sure he is." Peter said "Look I need to come down and talk to you, Evanthe and Sophia."
"About?" Emerson asked
"Better to say that in person." Peter said
"Ok." Emerson said then there was a slight pause "Amy just handed me a note, another thing for Serenity when she comes round - she gets to address the youth diet."
"She's smarter than I give her credit for." Peter said "Ok I'll be down there as soon as I can be." he hung up, he'd never planned on this whole being the patriarchal figure in not just his immediate family but his whole family but maybe fate was weaving its thread, maybe this was always where things had been going. He'd never asked why Cecelia had asked him, but he'd known the reason why it could never be spoken and now that reason was intending on coming home to roost. But then again just because time was ticking closer to midnight didn't mean that the clock had to strike twelve.

[Beatrice]

"Oh please, don't let pretenses fool you," Kado said as he pulled his Howa Type 64 from underneath his desk. "You'll find, on further inspection, that it's taken care for meticulously, and I'd challenge you to find one single fault in its condition," he said with a smile. "I recognize that the Type '89 has succeeded it but," he paused, displaying it with a measure of pride, "if it's not broken, I feel you have little need to fix it. My records at the Imperial Training Grounds, as well as my battle records, are, to some extent at least," he sighed, "public record, but once I have a target in my sights," he chuckled, "they're no longer a threat. Do hold my hand though and let me try something new," he said as he set the Type 64 in a corner, "just don't tell her about it, jealous type after all" he said walking away from the rifle with a chuckle.
Another request for Rowe to meet with her personally, another request denied. "Ugh he's worse than the fanboys I had back in Tytor like," she paused as she made a puking motion, "no thank you, dude." Lucinda chuckled, "Their type wants to be right next to the Empress, you're wise to keep them at arm's length, don't ever doubt yourself no matter what is before you. I learned long ago your gut instinct, is usually the one you should trust," she continued as she sighed, it'd been a while since her and Asuna had palled around in the Residential Wing of Pyrena. "I hope you're not jealous," Asuna said as she motioned Lucinda to look at her MP3 player, "...all of the albums, even the ones you had to download illegally....I'm not mad at that," Lucinda said as she held back a tear. "I have to say," Asuna said with a smile, "I like your emotional side, you've opened up so much in recent times and I have to ask why?" Lucinda stammered, "well I los...well I ha...I adopted an animal and while I love plants, the little guy snagged his way into my heart," she continued as she presented Baxter JR. "Don't smother him as your mother did," she sighed, "they have feelings too and too much of a good thing is bad."

Asuna bent down and presented a banana, "what's this, buddy?" she continued, handing it to him. "All yours, my man," she said to which Lucinda rolled her eyes. "Spoiling him, I see. You've your mother's heart," she sighed, to which Asuna hugged her. "Why are you...what is this?" Lucinda asked. "Luci, you sighed, you, Luci, sighed. You never let your disappointment show before so," Asuna paused and looked away, "I'm happy for you, okay?" to which Lucinda giggled, "it is new, isn't it? I feel, comfortable, with some people like this and while that is new, I do like it. Don't tell anyone though," she said holding a finger to her mouth to which Asuna nodded, "our little secret, whatever keeps you on this path. You don't know how it warms my heart it to see you like this, I'm here for it and I love it," she said with a tighter hug.

"As long as you let me breathe it'll stick around," Lucinda said as she gripped Asuna tighter, "this side'll stick around, I promise."

[Achkaerin]

Rion rolled her eyes as they headed for the car, with a bit of luck they'd have one of their problems off the board before the sun set. Settling into the drivers seat she looked at Kado "So where are we laying this trap?" she asked she was just as keen as he was to finally find out just who was whispering things.


The one thing about Achkaerin was that it viewed the Northern Ocean as it's back yard, in much the same way that East Moreland viewed the Illumic so when a non native decided to ruffle feathers, just as Rokkenjima had seemingly chosen to do, it was always going to get a response. However if there was one thing that assisted the 'shadow war' going on within Rokkenjima at that point it was eyes being drawn elsewhere and with the eyes of the IHC firmly fixed on their stroll into the north it meant that they weren't paying that much attention to things closer to home, against such a backdrop a single warship sailing around the Rokkenjiman Sea likely seemed nothing special. But that was just what helped the Achkaerinese out. So it was here moving into the area around the Tokara islands that the INS Rhyth Icerider sailed, stood on the bridge her captain Bradley Saunders stood, this was going to be an interesting bit of ship handling to get the vessel properly aligned but Bradley was more capable of doing it when he had to.
"Helm eta?" Bradley asked
"About two hours." the officer steering the ship said
"Contacts?" Bradley asked
"Nothing military." came the response. Bradley half smiled if they truly were on their own then this was going to be a whole lot easier than they'd expected.

[Beatrice]

"The suburbs of Exuperia, plenty of locations along the road which will ensure that stray bullets don't find their way into unsuspecting bystanders. We'll actually be near my childhood home which, if my planning holds up, will be the precise point we meet Seagull. This is assuming they approach us from the hole I have suspected them of operating out of, but," he shrugged, "I could be wrong and we'll instead meet near the town's lake. Either way, I can't wait to see who's face I can finally pin this name to."
Lucinda drew the blanket over Asuna's shoulders, planting a kiss on her forehead before entering her former "in-house" office where she drew the bed from the sofa bed. They'd spent the night talking and laughing together, and even after all that Asuna had found another vector that softened her heart. As the eyes of the Empress fell under the weight of sleep, slumped against Lucinda who took another bite of pop corn as the face behind Ghostface's mask was revealed in Scream 4[/], "never worry about that," she murmured gently, promoting a gentle "hmm?" from Lucinda. "I got me my own super hero," she continued as she tiredly hugged Luicinda before giving into sleep fully. "Oh, you," Lucinda said with joyful tears in her eyes, and as she drew the covers above herself the moment pulled at her once more before rising from bed, opening the door to ensure she was still safe.

"If you only knew what I've done, the many sins I carry for you and your mother," she whispered as she closed the door behind her and returned to the sofa bed. "I'll always choose to be a demon to your enemies if it means I can always be the angel in your dreams," she smiled as she pulled her own covers over herself. "Also, suck on that Freya," she grinned even more broadly, "I'm a super hero, now, adorned by Asuna herself."

[Achkaerin]

"What?" Rion asked over the phone about an hour later, she was talking to Hazel
"Someone tried to kill Lucinda." Hazel said "She nearly beat them to death but I stopped it. That isn't the thing though."
"What is?" Rion asked
"This Lucinda isn't the same Lucinda we know." Hazel said "I don't know what to do."
"Leave it with me I do." Rion said she hung up the phone and proceeded to send a text message before turning her attention to the scene before her Kado was organising his teams, laying his trap. Rion had two of her best at distance in the background, one covering the lake the other covering the town. Walking over to Kado she checked the cyan coloured ARC-SP1 she carried before priming her combat pistol. "Less lethal we need him alive right?"

There was a discernable mood in the Imperial Palace and it's name was fury and it was directed against Lucius Stanley, were it not for the lack of any credible evidence things could be significantly worse than they were but it smacked of an overplayed hand and now Lucius would feel the full fury of the very institution he'd served for many years. Emerson stepped into Asuna's office and found the Empress laying down on the sofa "Don't tell me you and Lucinda were up all night listening to music or something?" he teased, sometimes he had to remind himself that Asuna was still a nineteen year old girl "Or is it her idiot husband giving you a headache?" he sighed and put something on the table next to the sofa "Can't do anything about you listening to music but I can do something about him." he tapped the paper "He's a liability, he's casting aspersions and falsehoods and acting contrary to his job responsibilities. This is an order terminating his employment, sign it and sack him before he does anything more serious. I've got a potential replacement at least for the short term outside"

Emerson waited a moment before walking to the door and showing a woman in "Asuna this is Liosa." he said introducing Lìosa Càidh "You may recognise her from various CSU things. I trust her, she's on our side of the equation. She's more than qualified. Short term contract and if you like what she does it's up to you if you want to keep her." he smiled and left the two women alone.

Even to Peter and Renee the tension in the Imperial Palace was palpable, and if that wasn't bad enough another bombshell was about to drop, the Achkaerinese pair waited in one of the reception rooms until they were joined by firstly Evanthe and Sophia and then fresh from his conversation with Asuna Emerson.
"Officially I'm here visiting family." Peter said "But I'm not actually here to see Asuna." he took a folded piece of paper out of his jacket pocket and handed it to Sophia, waiting for her to unfold it "As you know Euphy's been in hospital and in the last few hours has undergone a transplant. Prior to the operation members of your family were tested as possible donors, now according to doctors they would have expected you to have the closest match Sophia being the sister, but you didn't. What you're holding there is the DNA comparison between you and Euphy, it's not even close to sororal." he took a moment "You're not her sister, you're her cousin."

As silence reigned in the room Peter's eyes drifted to Evanthe, as if watching the wheels inside her head turning as pieced it all together, the searching look she gave Peter told him she'd got there "Yes Eva." he said "She's yours... and his." he smiled at Emerson
"Jokes really?" Emerson asked
"I did a lot of raising Evanthe I'm allowed to be funny around her." Peter said "But it's true the child you two thought you'd lost... she's right there in front of you."

[Beatrice]

"There's migraines, stress headaches, hypertension and then, Lucius headaches," she sighed. "He's somehow found a way to be worse than a liar, I guess that takes some sort of special talent," she continued with a shrug before affixing her signature to the paper Emerson produced. After that she stood and offered her hand to Lìosa for a shake before sitting back down. "When Stanley serves prison time it'll have to be in Achkaerin," Asuna said looking to Emerson, "many of the Anauša who were cleared of treachery in the last scenario transitioned to guard duty. It's not a matter of if but when he's killed if he's subjected to Rokkenjiman prisons and," she paused, "I'd rather he lived to ruminate on his actions for many, many, many years. He doesn't get an easy out, even if that might be satisfying for some, can we agree on that?"

She looked out her window in the direction of Pyrena Castle, "She's with friends, and I can fall asleep knowing she's safe so, it's going to be a good night. What are we doing with the speculation out there that an SIS Agent was the one who attempted the hit?" Asuna asked. "My predecessors might have not seen the rot in plain sight but I do and I am tired of having those serving in my name to forward their own pursuits, it sullies the very nature of duty to crown and empire," she paused as she stood and struck her fist against the nearest hard surface. "I want the SIS to know their number has been called, that this is one line crossed in a series of way too many, and if Rowe is anywhere near this...." she paused again, "we get the bastard, I'm sure I can warm Cole up to the idea of a return from his retirement. He can't resist a request from his little Asu after all."
"And there we go," Alex said with a smile as he presented a mug each to Beatrice and Lucinda, "Alex's pick me up after bad times special, known in some circles as a Quinntopian Hot Mess," he continued with a chuckle as Lucinda downed the cocoa with Quinntopian vodka concoction. "This isn't a hot mess," Lucinda said with a monotone sigh, "you spoiled it with the addition of cinnamon, but..." Alex shrugged, "Glad you're holding up alright for what it's worth, you're in safe hands I promise. If there's anything I can get for you, you let me know alright?" It might of been his quick recovery or the tone of his voice but that's when Lucinda cracked a smile and dropped her shell, "I'm sorry, thank you for looking after me. If anyone thought they could kill me so easily I have some beach front property I can sell them in Morivia." "There's my girl, smiles and all," he said as he turned to leave the room.

Once he had left Lucinda crumpled into Beatrice who, for the last few hours, had been cuddling her under a blanket. "Shhh," Beatrice said as Lucinda whimpered, "you're fine, okay? You protected me for so many years, now it's my turn," she continued as she selected a new movie. "I hope you take from this a lesson," Beatrice continued, "that you can still be an absolute bad-ass while showing emotion; it's not a weakness and," she said as she hugged her tighter, "it's nice to see you feel again. I think the last time I saw you feel like this was when those children withheld my cat from me."

"They were assholes, Bea, they're no longer children and neither are we so we can call them what they are," Lucinda retorted with a playful punch. "Indeed," Beatrice chuckled before adding, "You've got Kado's finest picks alongside the Achkaerinese and the walls of Pyrena so please," she paused as she kissed her forehead, "don't let one asshole make you retreat into your shell once again, because I missed the real you. You gave up so much for me and now, Luci, you don't have to, so be the wonderful you that you are. Don't make me miss you even though I see you every day ever again, and know that the days are numbered for whoever ordered a hit on you, your favourite girl is making sure of that."

"Damn you and your way with words in the right moments," Lucinda sighed, "you got it Bea. Really," she said as she framed her face with her palm, "I tried to outrun it all, all the pain, all the faces, but running is never the right choice, you have to choose to reconcile instead. I've done so much for you I can never let you know about, my hands are filthy by this point, but at the end of it all, I'm still the same girl who'll break someone's ass for making you cry, and Asu," she paused, "I don't need a rank or position to look after her, she's family just as you are to me, even Alex with his peculiarities, thank you for being here with me. I have my family, I've done my due, and now other people are in place to pull the trigger on your behalf. I can finally let my guard down and feel, and damn if it's not beautiful, my heart is alive for the first time in nearly a decade and..."

"...and you enjoy it fully, and keep it, a smile fits your face so much better than the static locked lips, you know?" Lucinda pushed back with mock shock, "Are you trying to say I've spent the last years walking around with resting bitch face, Bea?" That prompted more giggles from the two, "No, never!" Beatrice added, "just, it's good to see you smile, okay? Love you," she added to which Lucinda sighed, "and I, you. Oh here's the good part!" she nearly shrieked as she pointed out the Backstreet Boys in This Is The End. "It's as good as you'd hope to expect."
"Ah, that," Kado said as he put his Type 64 away and produced a stun gun, "much less fun, and to think this is my reintroduction to the field is a "catch and carry back to the pound." Still," he said as he set the gun to its highest setting, "this one, in theory, incapacitates instantly. I wonder if he'll feel the jolts rushing through him, to a degree at least."

"Interesting," Kado would add moments later, "in front of my childhood home is where they intersect us," he said as the vehicle slowed. "Are we ready to remove the mask from Seagull?" he continued with a wink as the door opened from the outside and Intelligence Operative Howard Bailey opened the door. Once the affair was behind them Kado nudged his body with his foot. "Seriously, Bailey?! The fool couldn't handle intelligence back in the Soviet days and here he is, running information for our adversaries? I'd have trusted Kyle Barren delivering his victory on foot over this guy," he kicked his stunned body again before kicking it slightly less forcefully again. "What?" he said to Rion who looked unimpressed, "I had to make sure the bastard's really out, and what better way to do that than a kick to the rib cage?"
"Oh my," Eva said as she turned into Emerson's chest, "she has your eyes," she said as she mounted a smile. "You always had something about you that I loved and now," Evanthe said as she expanded her hug to include Sophia, "it all makes sense. "I'll take care of Euphy through this, but you and I," she continued motioning to Sophia, "we've so much to catch up on, yes?" Sophia took it well for her age, "Mum, dad?" she said simply, "I think I need an adjustment to my allowance for the mental trauma I'm enduring now. I think र20k a week should cover it, yes?" to which Eva shook her head, "Oh my girl, there's more to it all than fortune, but we've years before us. Think you could learn to love us as Euphy, who I'm grateful took care of you?" "I'll give you a chance," she paused, "I mean it's not like I'm meeting strangers, you're both known to me so," she hugged them, "guess we're even closer now, yes?"

[Achkaerin]

"I prefer the kick to the groin area." Rion said "Works wonders." looking down at the man disguised the inner workings of her mind, they had Seagull, Groves was contained and Stanley was under arrest. That just left Rowe, in one respect it was a good thing they'd managed to isolate him but as far as the bigger picture went an isolated Rowe remained just as dangerous and just as capable of fulfilling his part in this conspiracy. Time was something they were now running out of, whatever move that was intended to bring Mieko Anselmo back to Rokkenjima had to be made soon and Rion knew that not only did she know that but so did Alex Rowe, this was still a fair way from being over.

"If I may." Liosa said "Rowe isn't the immediate concern, there are very qualified people dealing with that and they're more than capable of handling it. Your focus needs to be on what's coming up. Your aunt Kyoko has taken action on the legitimacy of the Addendum to the Sakura Umeko Accord, I've not had the chance to take a detailed look at it because I haven't found an office yet but from what the lawyers are telling me, I think it has a reasonable chance of being successful. If that happens then there are good and bad consequences." she took a breath "There's a legal reckoning coming for the likes of Alex Rowe, that will need to be navigated, that's what I'm here for, the diplomatic fallout from this... that's your ballgame."

Peter's next stop was Pyrena, likely people would view this as him visiting Beatrice as her biological father but he wasn't here for her well not directly. No he was here for something else, walking the castle's halls he chuckled when he spied Beatrice and Lucinda sat there, when Beatrice looked up in his direction he waved "May I borrow her for a moment?" he asked indicating Lucinda.

[Beatrice]

"It also sends a message that can't be confused, doesn't it?" he said as he employed the tactic upon Howard Bailey who in his present state offered no response. "A pity, at least a flinch would've been rewarding, bu...hold on," Kado said as his ear piece shrieked. "Oh that dumb bastard," he said as he shared a view of his screen with Rion, "someone attempted a hit on Lucinda, those poor bastards won't last but a season in a Rokkenjiman prison. I'd leave here now but," he said looking down on Howard, "I've work to do before me. But when I get my hands on him, I imagine it'll only be right to give him an ounce of what she experienced. I must add," Kado paused, "she's different, you know, these days? I still don't know what do do with that, an emotional and feeling Lucinda isn't anything I ever imagined, but something's awakened in her and, I don't know if any of us are equipped for that."
"I see," she said as she retired into her seat. "We'll have troubled waters to navigate, but navigate them we will, Rokkenjimans do not retreat from such waters, we push through them," Asuna said with a reassuring smile. "At the end of the day she's sacrificed so much to protect me so," she said as she looked out the window, "I will sacrifice all I must to protect her, damn the consequences when you stand on principle. You betray your beliefs and principles when it matters most and those same principles are meaningless. Even if it means I have to stand up to the Morelanders, I'm ready, I promise."
"But of course," Beatrice would say, before hugging Lucinda. When alone with Peter Lucinda offered a confused expression, "What possibly could you hope to garner from me in conversation?" she asked as she reverted to her more understood and recognizable emotionless persona. "I was but a mere servant of the Empress, now a friend of the Empress being relieved of my previous constraints. I'm sorry, Sir, I don't know if I'm worth your time in this moment," she continued with a monotone voice.

[Achkaerin]

Peter half smiled as he sat down next to Lucinda, he knew that persona far too well and wasn't the biggest fan of it, he'd always preferred the genuine Lucinda, he was one of the few who knew her from those times. 

"The last time you called me sir would be what twenty six, twenty seven years ago?" he said "You remember it?" he giggled a little "Of all the things my children have done to make me proud of them, high up on the list is that they paid attention in school, never got in trouble, never put me in the position of having to get called into the school to have a chat with the teachers... well I say never, there was this one time. Beatrice was twelve and I get called into the school, she'd never been in trouble and I'm wondering what's going on, when I got there with Iona who was sitting outside the headmasters office? A very messy Beatrice in tears, three boys and then right next to Beatrice this scrappy looking girl with dark hair, or to put it another way you, comforting her. I wasn't getting called in because Beatrice had done something wrong I was getting called in because Beatrice had been bullied and another girl had stepped in, beating even the bodyguard we had assigned to look after her. Beatrice's first proper friend, you have no idea how important you are, so no don't give me you not being worth my time."

Peter took a breath, still smiling, "I didn't entirely come here to walk down memory lane with you but it's hard not to." he continued "I remember taking you and Beatrice for ice cream that day, I remember watching you look at each other the same way you look at each other now, I remember when Serenity was learning to talk and she couldn't pronounce your name so she called you 'Luci' and then how Beatrice turned that into your nickname, I remember when Beatrice talked me into getting you out of the orphanage you were in, she didn't know it but she had Daddy wrapped around her finger. I also remember your weird choice in pizza toppings and that getting you to tidy your room was like fighting a war half the time."

Peter handed Lucinda his phone with the photo gallery up "Go on." he said, he smiled as she flicked through it, the album was mostly family pictures there were birthdays, weddings, picnics and so on but right there in the middle of them was a picture of Lucinda in a costume "Remember that?" Peter asked "The school did We Will Rock You for their musical that year and you got to play Scaramouche." he reached into his pocket and pulled out a memory stick "Full copy of the show." he handed it to Lucinda "I remember paying for your singing lessons, which turns out is money well spent and I remember Iona teaching you to play the piano." he indicated the picture on the phone "That's the Lucinda I know, that's the Lucinda that I have always been thankful for just because you've always been there, I may have raised Beatrice but you filled the void she had. Drop the mask and put up your sword, it's time you got to live your life without the metaphorical axe hanging over you and I'm willing to bet I'm not the only person to have said that to you." he glanced at the door and sighed "I can see your shoes Beatrice."

[Beatrice]

"I remember that day as if it were yesterday," Lucinda said as she recalled Gregory's face as well as those of his squad of goons. "I was just minding my own business when I heard her pleas and Gregory yelling in response, turning my head at just the right moment to see him push Bea to the ground, those other boys just standing there allowing his conduct to continue, someone had to intervene and I did. It's difficult but," she paused, "even after the passage of years hearing her pleas for them to just hand Binky back to her, somehow I can find my way back to feeling that empathy with her in that moment and the rage that followed when I saw Gregory's goony face filled with such pride as he looked down on her after he shoved her. The only regret I have is that I didn't break the bastards leg, though you should have seen the look on his face when I told him I'd do worse than hurt his knee if he didn't hand Binky back immediately. I followed up on him in my intelligence career a few times," she continued, "Gregory never amounted to much, worked a handful of meaningless jobs, two failed marriages, currently unemployed and miserable as he relies upon assistance from the programs the girl he bullied all those years ago implemented. Don't tell anyone I know that last bit," she sighed, "<0 tells me things from time to time."

"It's hard for me to remember our lives are so intertwined," Lucinda said as she recalled the memories, "but it was necessary for me to preclude emotion given all I've had to do to protect her, emotions were a liability and I had to remain focused on the mission ahead of me, I think I can at least rest knowing I executed it well," though it was the mention of Iona that would see her drop the phone and collapse into Peter shedding tears. "I'm sorry," she said in between breaths, "I never got to say goodbye, I'm glad Bea got that chance though, she told me so many times how she was there reassuring you and Serenity, I hope that one day I can make the trip and speak the words that have been with me since that day though. It was so much easier before," she continued as she rose and wiped her tears aside, "but feeling as I do now, not being able to keep my emotions at bay, why it's not hard to understand why my favourite characters growing up were the likes of Spock, Data, and Seven. But then again," she paused, "I guess embracing humanity as Data and Seven did, is something I'm not incapable of, so I have to accept the emotions and embrace them as part of who I am, not something to be fought."

"Ugh," Beatrice said as she emerged, "though I have to say you're even more of a badass knowing you felt my pain and couldn't do anything other than bring it to an end so, thank you," she said as she sat next to Lucidna and took her hand into hers. "Your duty has been fulfilled, a thousand times over, and you have my eternal thanks for always being there no matter what it was, from schoolyard bullies to international assassins, you kept not only me but my family safe, but that duty is now Kado's, and you can live however you wish so please, just do it. You know I'm not going anywhere, and that you can't get rid of me easily, so just as you had my back for so many years, let me have your back now and support you in doing what you want to do, yes?" to which Lucinda replied with a nod. "Good," Beatrice said before adding, "you'll always be someone special to me, never forget that, and I'm sure we can arrange for you to have some time visiting Iona's grave, I'm sorry you couldn't be there but I'm confident she'd be proud at everything you've accomplished so don't beat yourself down, anyone who knows you would be proud of you, so keep your chin up and," she said as she embraced Lucinda, "sorrow is powerful, but positive emotion sends energy straight to the heart and spreads warmth, and you're surrounded by it, I love you Luci."

"And I you," Lucinda replied, "and before us is tomorrow, a new day, one I look forward to. Thank you," she said as she gripped her tightly, "though don't think I'm growing soft. You walk Stanley or Gregory through that door as a test of my empathy I promise I'll properly throttle each of  them into the next life," she continued with a giggle. "Well that won't be happening as one of them is in prison and the other is banned from the grounds of Pyrena Castle, though if you wanted to go to the music room I'm sure we could work out a piano-organ duel?" "Indeed," Lucinda replied, "you play The Entertainer on organ and I on piano, and Peter judges which one of us performs it best?" she looked over to Peter.

[Beatrice]

Sophia Forrester, Rear Admiral, Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy

"I could not hide my presence here so, this is an event which will inevitably raise alarm bells in Imperial High Command," Sophia said as she bowed to the Empress. "For that I apologize but, if I am to continue to be your bullwark, I needed Cole at Imperial High Command yesterday to maintain things as they stand today. Asuna, my influence goes only so far, reigning in Rowe is an option that will soon be depleted as he picks up on where my loyalties truly lay. I promise you that I'll maintain my position for so long as I can, but, eventually, it will be me facing down an SIS squad, and I imagine they'll be sent to kill me when that moment comes. I don't care if what you have now is enough to pin anything on the bastard, I am telling you though that waiting has a cost, and while it's one I am willing to pay, I'd rather not, understandably. Do we have an understanding?" she said with urgency.

"Emerson," Asuna said as she stood, "if Forrester falls we fall," she paused for effect, "I don't care what procedural measures stand before us, we'll cut through them if we have to but Rowe's time at IHC must be brought to an end. Henry Cole has said he'll retake his former duties if I should deem it necessary well, I'm deeming it necessary today. That whole report in the RBC about the Cecelia Anselmo is the last straw and, while I can't prove it, I can't help but to think Rowe wouldn't see using the Kōketsu to his advantage as a chip he'd decline playing at this point. Rowe's done," she said as she sat, "help me to do this officially, please, I know a few who would see it done unofficially, so to say, and they'd be all the more happy to see it done. Plus," she paused, "Cole retaking the reigns of IHC insulates him; there's few who'd dare take a shot at him given his reputation amongst the rank and file. Sure we risk Rowe acting recklessly moving forward but, I'd propose, he's already acting as such. If Sophia needs Cole, let's see that it happens."

[Achkaerin]

"It really doesn't do any of that." Rion said she'd been standing in the room with Kado "Remember they've taken our pieces off the board as well as us taking theirs off the board, you take Rowe now when there's no hard evidence against him and it looks very much like he's our piece not theirs, and that's without the legal situation."
"Correct." Liosa said, she was sat next to Emerson and looked at Asuna "It becomes a lot harder to court martial Rowe successfully, which we're going to need to do to put an end to this affair."
"And now you're wondering why we're saying wait." Rion said "To use the chess metaphor, Groves was the sacrificial pawn, Kikyo Hase is the pawn waiting to be promoted, Lucius Stanley was the Rook, Sumire Abruscato the bishop and Seagull the knight. Rowe is the Queen, he's not the King and that's the point. The King is the one we want, the one we need to get. This whole conspiracy is a revenge trip against the Imperial Family and it's a good forty years plus in the making, this doesn't end until we get our shot at the mastermind behind it, we want this threat eliminated not kicked down the road. We know their endgame the Youth Diet is days away, but before then something is going to happen and it's going to happen in Kusan. We want Rowe off the board as much as everyone else but we want to do it when doing so doesn't allow the threat to simply return later down the road. Rowe's job has been to prepare the stage so to speak for that threats return that he's done and now he's got to pull the trigger on actually setting it in motion. He will bring the person behind this onto the board, he will bring them within our reach and then my people will end this in an appropriate manner. Rowe must be taken alive because someone must be held accountable for everything and that is ultimately him. Waiting has risk and under any other circumstances I'd be agreeing with the Rear Admiral but in this instance not waiting is far riskier. We wait and we get the chance to end this."

[Beatrice]

"I understand," Forrester would add, "as such I'll increase my survivability. I can maintain command of the IRN from IRN Enterprise and, if Rowe wishes to see me dead he's an entire air wing and various assets at my disposal aligned against him, and he has to pinpoint where I will be. As I designed the underseas doctrine of the IRN, I know their game better than their captains do, I'll outrun the bastard but," she said as she looked to Rion, "can you promise me you'll get the series of bastards so I can hang them on my wall? I like my war trophies, after all."

[Beatrice]

The talks in Posan had been going well with Princess Sophia and Ri Sang-Hee finding common ground on many of the matters before them. Information from the Kusanese leader had been forthcoming, with a level of transparency the Princess had not expected and, most importantly, an agreement for full access for Rokkenjiman teams investigating the attack in Pyrettania and just where the fissile material used in the attack had come from. Just as the closing of the meeting had begun one of the Kusanese generals rose, bowed and left the room despite questions from Ri Sang-Hee as to the reason for his departure. In a brief moment, noticing a suitcase underneath the table at which they sat, Ri Sang-Hee lifted Princess Sophia from her seat and ran for the nearest window, driving both of them through it just as an explosion ripped through the room where they had previously been seated moments ago.

"That way," Sang-Hee said through short breaths, fighting the pain of shrapnel which had found itself in her back, "it'll be about 2.5 miles before you reach the border with Kalasin, and you will give the border guards this," she produced a passport-sized document, "it should get you across the border. You tell your people all that we agreed to and what happened here, you understand?" "I can't just leave you he...." Sophia would protest as she began to attempt to assist Sang-Hee to her feet before being pushed away. "Don't live up to the moniker of foolish child in this moment, not after what we accomplished. Run, and do not look back!"

Sophia hesitated for a moment before committing to running, however, she soon found herself on the ground as a Kusanese soldier knocked her off her feet. "We have both Sang-Hee and the Rokkenjiman, they survived the attack," they would say into a microphone before saying, "very well." With breathable cloth bags affixed to both of their heads they would again see the world around them after they'd been transported to a Kusanese prison.

The True Leader Addresses Present Situation, Promises "Vindication"


Respected Comrade Ri Chŏng-jun, having been declared Supreme Leader of the DPRK following treasonous actions of the Disgraced Comrade, has placed the DPRK on a state of "war readiness."

"Despite the vicious attacks against the character of our nation and our very right to exist my sister, it pains me to say this, spoke at great length with the Rokkenjiman Princess promising them what is essentially the complete capitulation of our DPRK to the imperialists," Respected Comrade Ri Chŏng-jun said as he attempted to the best of his ability to hold back tears. "It is unfortunate, however, I have been forced to place Sang-Hee under arrest and have taken the Rokkenjiman Princess as a prisoner of war. Watch in the video as she admits that Rokkenjima is an imperialist power that only desires the complete subjugation of our DPRK before their hostilities will cease." The Respected Comrade paused as a video aired from the Princess stating the following:

"I came to Kusan under pre-determined arrangements with Ri Sang-Hee, who has become an asset of the First Empire in a war against your people, to secure the final terms of surrender. I am being treated well, far beyond what I deserve from the glorious soldiers of the DPRK, and urge the First Empire, the Empire of Fusan and the Holy Empire of Achkaerin to heed the words of the Respected Comrade: get out of Kalasin and Southern Cotf Aranye and Onishi hogs, keep your stench on your own continent. If the terms of the Respected Comrade are not adhered to, war will soon commence."

As the cameras returned to the Respected Comrade he continued, "We stand at the highest levels of war readiness to see our adversaries, the imperialist bastards, driven from our neighbourhood permanently. I also call on the Kingdom of Clysperis to send its rust bucket ship home, if you attempt to unload your cargo for those in Kalasin we will see that your carrier becomes a submarine. You, who preached against the very nations you seek to help now, are not one of Aranye, but one of the imperialist scourge that keeps all nations lock step in line with their agenda. We can still realize tragedy in Nemphis, remember that, Pharaoh."

The news had hit before Forrester had left the room, "Get her back," Asuna said as she looked to Forrester, "send the entire damn fleet if you have to but..." "Your Majesty," Forrester would say with a bow of her head, "I saw with full concern for Princess Sophia but this," she said pointing to a frozen image of Ri Chŏng-jun, "is the opening I feel Rowe was waiting for. You'll be demanded to act undoubtedly, but you must show restraint. I can't, in good conscience, do what you want me to do without making things much worse. Ms. Rion, I believe you've a new investigation before you, I have no evidence but my gut tells me that this development isn't an accident and if we start asking the right questions, we'll find something doesn't add up here. As for you," she returned her attention to Asuna, "I don't believe the Kusanese will harm the Princess; she's far too valuable alive than she is dead, so as hard as it is please have patience. At the moment he slips up, if I'm correct," she said referencing Rowe, "get me Cole at my back and I'll have this all sorted in short order."

[Achkaerin]

"There's a reckoning at the end of this and when that happens, when we get Rowe held to account the last thing we're going to want is Henry Cole exercising any authority over the Rokkenjiman military." Liosa said "Use him as a confidant, use him as an advisor do not put him on the board because that gives Rowe a shield when we get to the reckoning."
"More immediate concerns." Emerson said "Rion?"
"Remember that I said there was a move that was going to bring the main threat into play? This is it." Rion said "You start a war with Kusan and you make Rowe bulletproof, he becomes the person who rescued Sophia Anselmo and at the same time he brings the true threat to Rokkenjima's shores. We'll ignore for now that he's doing a Palpatine and that Ri Chŏng-jun has likely been sponsored by Rowe to execute that coup."
"Countermove?" Emerson asked
"How long does it take you to get the Diet back from their recess?" Rion asked
"Twenty four hours to get everyone back to the capital." Emerson said "Add in the debate, the vote... about forty eight hours before Rowe gets his war."
"Can you guarantee me that forty eight hours?" Rion said "No retaliatory strikes, no offensive action?"

Emerson looked at Asuna, it was going to be tricky, the public would be baying for blood, they'd be demanding action. "Yes but we can't guarantee a second more than that." he said
"Ok here's what we do." Rion said "Standard procedure is that Rowe is going to want a meeting to discuss the military response, that's likely coming the minute you recall the Diet." she looked at Asuna "You're going to agree to that but it's not you he's going to meet, it's going to be me. You're going to need to give me the authority to arrest him. At the same time as Rowe's here Kado will take his INIS agents, bust into IHC and shut the place down, he'll arrest every member of the SIS."
"On what charges?" Liosa asked
"At this point conspiracy to commit criminal damage." Rion said "That gets Rowe off the board and we can continue to gather evidence on what we suspect in the meantime. Split the SIS agents up, apply pressure and see who rolls on Rowe."
"And he's not running the show while this builds to the crescendo." Emerson said
"Which will be the Youth Diet." Rion said

The Marble Palace's Round Table Room was once again full of the various people who needed to know what was going on. The video conference line to Commonwealth House was being used so Peter could participate and somewhere in the skies heading south from Seaforth Serenity was listening on the phone, she could have used Fox One's videoconferencing but in this instance wasn't due to the fact that she was also ferrying Evanthe home, Euphy was doing her best to help the situation by trying to keep Evanthe occupied with of all things picking out Serenity's outfit for the Youth Diet.

"Ok talk to me." Peter said "Do we know where she is?"
"She's at a prison in Kaesong." Sally Barkley, the head of Achkaerinese Intelligence, said
"And we know this how?" Peter asked
"Because when it comes to CP we take our job very seriously." it was Rion's voice over a phone line "Long story short each of the Anselmo's has in their possession something fitted with a tracking device. In Sophia's case it's a charm bracelet."
"I got her a charm bracelet when she turned twenty one..." Peter said
"Yes you've been quite helpful in this regard." Rion said "We don't know 100% that she's still wearing the bracelet but we did observe the signal moving from Posan to Kaesong. So Sophia's there."

Adam Sheppard, the Minister of Defence, looked up "General Starling what are you proposing?" he was addressing Lassis Starling the commander of the Achkaerin Special Forces.
"We go and get her." Lassie said "Special Forces insert across the border from the Vax region, we send in a support troop as well, to cover the exit route."
"On foot?" Adam asked
"Only way we're doing this." Lassie said
"That's one hell of a tab." Adam said "That's close to a hundred and fifty kilometre round trip."
"So we're talking about a prison break?" Peter asked
"Yes." Lassie said
"What do we do when Kusan figures out it was us?"  Peter asked
"They don't need to figure that out to guess it or level an accusation." Adam said
"We do it like we did the Cecelia rescue." Rion said "We use Ri Sang-Hee's presence to provide us with cover. We make the op a deniable job, we make it look like it's a backlash. We do this right Kusan will collapse in on itself."
"You're asking what I think you're asking aren't you?" Peter said
"Yep." Rion said

"We'll need the Senate's sign off." Adam said
"We do a veiled seven." Elena Brooke said
"What's a veiled seven?" Nettie asked
"It's a method of how we get the Senate's sign off on military action when we don't want to advertise that we're doing it." Elena said "It's what we did when the Cult of Helus Genocide happened."
"How's it work?" Nettie asked
"First we put something up on the business that's going to probably take all day and is serious enough that the whole Senate will likely be there. In this case Troyes, we'll table a motion to do with it, in effect that's the veil" Elena said "While that's going on, I take the proposed military action matter to the various party leaderships behind the scenes, they brief their members and then there's a rolling vote through the day, at the end of business we tally the vote in the presence of specially appointed attestors who along with myself and the Speaker sign as to the validity of the vote."
"We have forty eight hours." Peter said "That takes up tomorrow's business in the Senate."
"I'll have the troops prepped and ready to go the moment we get word." Lassie said

"Do it." Serenity's voice finally came through the line "Elena you call me with the vote outcome once the process is done, General Starling you get me the details of what you're proposing to do. If the Senate agrees you'll get the go as soon as possible." she took a breath "Rion?"
"Yes?" Rion asked
"This only gets you check it doesn't get mate." Serenity said
"I know but it's mate in three." Rion said

In Jenka-Jenkinson the Imperial Ryusei had touched down ahead of the return flight the following day. The chosen pilots for this part of the operation were Eloise Lloyd and Ethan Rodriguez, the pair usually operated cargo aircraft for the Achkaerinese military, but here they were not in their military uniforms but wearing the outfits worn by the Imperial Ryusei crews, getting measured for them had been an experience.
"Ok powering down." Eloise said going through the procedure to shut off the power to the aircraft.
"Things we never thought we'd fly." Ethan said
"It's up there." Eloise said "Never thought I'd fly as basically a commercial pilot."
"First time for everything." Ethan said "Bunch of teenagers aboard tomorrow and then we have to fly them back."
"And we're taking the scenic route." Eloise said

[Beatrice]

"By all means," Asuna said with a motion of her hand, "I'm sure Kado will enjoy his part in this as well. I know he's been itching to finish off the SIS, so whatever needs to happen has my full sanction. I can't see my reign as truly my own until these echoes from the past are wiped clear from the board, we must ensure that no one, domestic or foreign, ever has a chance again to steer the course of this First Empire without the consent of the Rokkenjiman People and Chrysanthemum Throne. Whatever plots were set into motion before, they end here," Asuna said with a firm fist sat down against her desk.
Fortune had played a hand to Ri Sang-Hee and, by extension, Princess Sophia as the prison they found themselves in was staffed primarily by those Ri Sang-Hee had chosen for their assignments. While she was still in rough condition she had received medical attention for her wounds and sat in a cell adjacent to that of the Princess. "My foolish brother," she said across the hallway, garnering an irritated stare from the guard on duty, "and you keep out of it, if it weren't for me you'd still be a poor farmer boy struggling on the outskirts of Hyesu, your farm was amongst the least productive and here you are, with a job that ensures the pensions of not only yourself but your family so shush, yes?" Ri Sang-Hee continued as she looked back over to Sophia, "He has to keep up appearances, the cameras are always watching, thankfully no audio. He'll be forced to strike me in another few moments so listen well."

"I'm far more valuable alive than I am dead, that's why we're here now," she continued. "Ri Chŏng-jun recognizes that as well, which is perhaps to an extent why we're being treated relatively well to this point; he can't make a martyr of me and he can't kill you, and while I am imprisoned I still have friends in the Politburo that have ensured we're here in this moment together now. You did remember what I told you of the blinking, yes?" she asked in reference to Sophia's videotaped release to the press which she nodded yes. "Good, those versed in such situations will have all they need then. I suspect I will be here longer than you," she sighed, "but when you're rescued, make sure that they know we were on a positive path, that despite the odds you and I found common ground, and that which my brother is doing is on his own accord. This request might be the last one I am able to make on behalf of the Kusanese and I entrust it to you, can I be certain you will honour it?" Sophia paused and thought before responding, "Sang-hee, if anyone is coming for me they're going to have to take you too, otherwise I won't leave. I'll ensure they know how you saved me and then they wouldn't be able to leave you here to die."

Sang-hee chuckled, "if you have any chance at rescue you take it, and damn what happens to me, your principle concern here is your survival, not mine." Sophia then stood and placed her hand over her heart, "That's all fine and well, but I was raised that we don't leave a friend behind. They either take us both, or neither of us goes, you've still essentially open wounds after throwing me out of that window and you still fight me on this?" Sophia asked. "Do as you will," Sang-hee replied, "but one of us is more consequential than the other in making out of this alive, and that one is you. Don't sacrifice yourself on my behalf, otherwise all we worked on will be in vain."

"That's enough," the guard said as he opened Sang-hee's cell and butted her head with his rifle. "No further communications will be allowed between the condemned." "Hit me," Sophia shouted, winking to Sang-hee, "like you did her, make my capture count for something. Because once I'm outside of this cell I'll be an entirely all new animal for you to deal with." The guard walked over to her cell and sighed, "Strict orders, not a hair on your head harmed, but if you wish," he said as he struck the butt of his gun against her fingers, "if you're going to act tough, you'd best keep up appearances for the cameras, yes?"