On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

Three Hundred And Two

“It’s good to see everyone. It must have been hard.” Treyvon said, his voice choked with emotion. Beside him, his sister Aliyah snorted savagely, disagreeing.

“Hard? Fuck me Trey, they weren’t the ones who got the shit kicked out of them, then ended up in prison, and had to put up with this crazy shit, were they?” she complained. “Besides…” her eyes sharpened. “… I guess you did a good job, Luciana, but those bastards who cut and ran, don’t think I’ll forget them. They needn’t come damn well crawling back later. Cowards.”

“Don’t be like that, sis.” Treyvon shook his head. “It’s a big step. Moving to a foreign country, being under someone else’s control. I get why those who chose to leave did. You agreed it was for the best too.”

“I know, but…” she clenched a fist, aggrieved. “…it doesn’t matter, does it? Done is done.” she let out a long sigh. “Not all of us are born American, but even those who aren’t, we’ve been working under the flag for long enough. I guess some cold feet is normal. Shit.” She controlled herself. “Luciana, deliver your report so we can get this done. I really need a drink now. Or ten.”

Treyvon winced at that, and I held in a snicker myself, remembering Aliyah’s behaviour when drunk. Shaeula was not so polite, letting out a hearty chuckle. “A drink or ten does sound quite-quite delightful.” Shaeula licked her lips delicately. “I am only sorry I do not-not have time right now. Our schedule is packed. So may we continue?” she declared.

“Of course. Un momento.” Luciana said. “The remaining members here have all agreed to the terms, and are prepared. Though…” she trailed off nervously, looking at Tsumura-san and the other obviously military people around. “… we do hope to avoid engaging our fellow mercenary groups, or… actions that our homeland, adopted or not, would find… de traición, treasonous.” Her expression was somewhat gloomy, and several of the men and women behind her looked restless at that.

Tsumura-san looked at me then, so I guessed it was time for me to take the lead on this. “I’ve hired you all. Any who haven’t the stomach for that have left already, right?” At her nod, echoed by Treyvon and Aliyah, I continued, making myself clear. “You’re not mercenaries any longer, but paid employees. That said, I have no intentions of being reckless with you, and there are still opportunities for mercenary work, when it is beneficial. As for engaging other groups…” my eyes were hard, glaring at the newcomers. “… I have no wish to start trouble. I’m a man who loves peace. But if enemies come against me or those I care about, then my retaliation will be swift and brutal.” I’ve learned being too nice and forgiving is just dangerous. I thought I‘d hardened my heart at Kondou Kazuo, but it took Yamato-san to really drive home the point. I’m not going to turn into a brutal monster, but I am going to eliminate threats if there is no better way. “If mercenaries take on a job, they have to accept the consequences, right? You should know that. As for America…”

Tsumura-san took over. “We have no current hostilities with the United States, who have been a long-term strategic ally of ours for decades. The current… friction… is being worked out, and as part of the agreement, the Black Wolf Company has been ceded to us, with full permission to access the information that mercenary groups can obtain through their special channels. Though we have agreed not to ask for any information you are aware of before this point.” He looked unhappy at that, and I could see why, as it may well have pertained to the missing Japanese citizens. Apparently we had been delivered some important information by the US recently, though Tsumura-san had not yet told me what that was, and with it came videos of our stolen people. They were alive, at least, though our military suspected the videos were made with heavy coercion, as the countenances of the captives were rather… dishevelled, to say the least. Just thinking about it makes me angry. My only solace is, while they aren’t returning them, our diplomats and negotiators are having an easy time on other matters.

“We understand. Though if you wanted to get it out of us, who would know?” Treyvon asked, eyeing Shaeula, knowing she had winds that could command.

“I honour my agreements.” I said firmly. “If I promised it, I do it. Though I’m not going to let oathbreakers off easily.”

“Indeed.” Shaeula agreed. “Breaking Oath and Pledge is what mere-mere scum do.”

“Trey isn’t really worried.” Aliyah said, surprising me. “You’re a naïve shit, but you seem to be toughening up. Which is good. The Black Wolf doesn’t howl for a weakling. Look.” She addressed Luciana and the rest. “This is a job, a bit different to our other jobs, but only in terms of length of employment. The pay is decent…” she shot a sidelong glance at me, a little thankful we were paying her and Treyvon anything at all, considering how badly we had them over the barrel, as my mom might say. “… and yeah, having to be bound by her…” she looked at Shaeula then, who merely smiled back calmly. “… is a bit insulting, but shit, it’s understandable. This is highly classified stuff. And the benefits… well, the job gives some advantages you can’t get anywhere else.”

“In terms of your equipment we confiscated on entry, it’s being vetted and will be returned shortly, along with additional supplies as necessary.” Tsumura-san advised them. “From a legal point of view, this is extremely irregular. Even Japanese citizens are not allowed such items, to say nothing of foreign citizens on our soil, and mercenaries are banned by our Constitution, unlike your home country. However, the Constitution is a relic of times past. A necessary, welcome one, and one we by no means regret. But… it cannot cope with the changing world, so the new Ministry will hold jurisdiction.”

“Yes, it isn’t like America, where everyone has the right to bear arms.” Treyvon agreed. “But then, this is a world where some people can probably shrug off a round from a tank, then pick up and throw said tank.” He looked at me then, and I nodded slowly. Well, I’m not sure I could lift a tank yet. But an APC? Sure.

“Yeah, some real Hulk shit.” Aliyah agreed. “So doing things the old way ain’t going to cut it anymore. You all agreed, but I’ll let our boss here explain it again.”

“Right.” I declared, flexing my Majesty and Charm to their maximum, feeling all eyes on me. I could see everyone giving me their full attention, and some of the faces were flushed. “What I need is a force I can rely on totally. Now it may seem odd, even idiotic, to rely on a foreign force, especially one I have quite the history with.” Travis and Manx were both grinning ruefully, no doubt remembering how I crushed them in battle. “Of course we have safeguards.” Shaeula smiled at that, nodding proudly. “But from what Aliyah and Treyvon here say, you guys are the best of the best, an easy match for the US army, or any other, for that matter.”

Aliyah puffed out her massive chest proudly at that, and it took all my Resilience not to look. “Damn right we are.”

“Here in Japan, we lack that resource. Of course, I intend to recruit suitable Japanese people to form part of the team.” The issue again is loyalty. Most of the best are already in the JSDF, or in Fujiwara Security Services, for civilians. The feelers are going out, but it’ll take time. “In addition, long-term, there will be others too.” When Fae and other spiritual beings are more able to walk the Material, I’ll have a ready source of troops, but I don’t want it to be all on them. Spiritual and Mortal beings need to work together, else I don’t see how we’ll survive what’s coming, or thrive in the higher Astral. Even the scraps Tan has told us point to that…

“You’ll be responsible for security details, onsite liaison, testing of training regimen and techniques, experimental equipment, and overseas and extraterritorial missions as necessary.” I delivered the euphemism, these newcomers being unaware of the Boundary. “Now, there’s one final chance to leave, and we’ll even pay your plane tickets home. But once you stay…” I said firmly. “… then there’s no backing out. Is that clear?”

There was a long moment of silence, where nobody moved, before Luciana spoke. “Entiendo. Nobody will leave. Perhaps some job security might be what we all need in these dangerous times.”

With everyone in agreement, I left it to Treyvon and the others to settle the new recruits in. It would take a day or two to get them settled, their gear approved, and any shortfalls filled, before we could start the Chirurgery. But before that… Shaeula met my gaze, with a tired smile.

“Yes, the befuddling winds shall blow a gale, it seems-seems. I demand a reward later, since I was not-not able to break through earlier!”

I rubbed her head gently, my smile equally kind. “Don’t worry. You’ll have one. How could I neglect you?”

As Shaeula started preparing herself for the tiring task ahead, while I considered their best uses, such as helping Ixitt with the testing of his new weapons, being as the mercenaries were far more used to using such things on the battlefield than any of us, I watched as Treyvon, Travis, Manx and Aliyah were being greeted by their comrades, everyone all smiles.

“Hey, boss lady!” One man was saying, his skin a deep olive, his short brown hair close-cropped. “Still kicking? I thought they’d have been torturing you into being a submissive woman by now, a big girl like…” his words were cut off by her fist, as it landed in his guts. She pulled it, obviously, but even so he doubled over, wheezing, tears streaming from his eyes, to the laughter of everyone around them.

“Still not lost it then…” he managed, and others echoed him.

Meanwhile, Treyvon was talking to Luciana. “So, everyone who left was looked after?”

“Indeed, there were no problems. Our finances are stretched thin, but they have enough to tide them over until they find suitable trabajos, jobs.” She paused, looking over at Travis and Manx, who were cheerfully wrestling with some equally big men from the Company. “I was quite worried about you all. By rights, you should be disappeared, no?”

“Seems that way.” Treyvon agreed, looking back at me, meeting my gaze for a moment before looking away. “We fucked up bad. But… we made one good choice.” He sighed. “Thank God that you and my sister managed to get the contact details for his sister and girlfriend, and we didn’t use them. The creed of the Black Wolf, no kids and no innocent women, that saved our asses. Else we’d either be dead, or locked up in some maximum-security hellhole. I guess it’s not so bad. His principles seem the same as ours, more or less.”

“That is quite the relief.” Luciana observed Shaeula and I. “Though, my instintos, they say they are far more dangerous than when I met them last.”

Before Treyvon could answer, Shaeula clapped her small hands together, drawing everyone’s eyes. “Very well-well. Gather up and we shall begin. I have much-much to do today, so do not-not keep me waiting.” Jade energies rose from her, drawing a few gasps and prayers from the mercenaries, and then Shaeula held out her hands, looking like a benevolent goddess. “Open your minds-minds and hearts to my wind, hear the whispers. You will never-never betray us, leak our secrets, or…” as she worked, I once more shuddered at the sheer power of her befuddling winds. Brainwashing, be it the winds, Alluring the Buddha that Tan has, the power of the Widow of Nails… perhaps they are the most frightening abilities of all…

********

A few hours later we were at a different facility, along with Tsumura-san. This one was tightly secured, and the JSDF stationed here were at full alert, armed and ready to respond at any moment. An exhausted Shaeula was sat next to me, leaning on my shoulder, her face pale from using so much of her winds.

The table in front of us was piled with treats and steaming mugs of what smelt like extremely expensive tea, and as Shaeula reached for a pastry, I looked at the people sitting opposite of us.

“Should you really be taking time out for this?” I asked the Prime Minister, Abe-san, mildly.

“For this?” He gave me a tired smile. “Isn’t this the most important matter we have going on right now, your own words, right?” He ran a hand through his hair, stressed. “You’re a celebrity in my house, my daughter thinks it’s hilarious how you are giving me so many grey hairs. Children.” He complained. “In all seriousness, this situation is… unprecedented. It isn’t just our… guest.”

The leader of the Opposition party was here too, an unusual occurrence, and the third person was a woman in her early thirties, perhaps, not exactly beautiful but with a certain austere charm, her dark hair tied into a neat bun and her black glasses making her look a bit like a schoolteacher. On seeing me looking, she frowned, before introducing herself, holding out a hand for a shake in more Western fashion. “I am Morita Yuna. Pleased to meet you, Oshiro-san. Shaeula-san.” She then reached a hand to Shaeula, who took it.

“She’s the new Minister for the Ministry of Spiritual Matters.” The head of the Opposition declared. “She’s an up-and-coming politician, recently elected to the Diet, and is flexible enough to handle unusual matters, while having a heart of iron and nerves of steel.”

She didn’t seem happy at his words of praise. “Leader, women don’t like being addressed in such a manner. I’d rather you say I am confident.”

“A female, I see.” Shaeula nodded after releasing her hand, clearly amused. “I see they read you well-well, Akio.”

Huh? I tilted my head, puzzled, only for Abe-san to laugh uproariously.

“Damn, I needed that. Recently it’s been all doom and gloom. You can be rather amusing, Oshiro-san.” He said wryly. “Morita-san here is definitely qualified, but her being a woman is an advantage. We’ve had you profiled extensively, and you are more likely to listen to what a woman says. Unusual for a Japanese man. Is it your upbringing as a half, I wonder?”

“I don’t approve of that, either. I got the job on merit, and if you look down on me, special advisor, then I’ll make you regret it.” Morita-san declared coldly, only reinforcing her schoolteacher vibe.

“I wouldn’t dream of it. I know many capable women, including Shaeula here.” I promised. “I’ll get Haru-san to liaise with you then, since she’ll be employed by the Ministry as agreed, right?”

“Ah yes, Minister Suzuki’s daughter. The… one who was murdered.” She raised an eyebrow at that. “If I hadn’t seen irrefutable proof, I wouldn’t believe any of this, flexible or not.”

“Well then, as her first job as head of the Ministry, I’ll leave it to Morita-san to brief you. She’ll need to get used to it.” Abe-san said, and with that, the woman pressed a switch, revealing a live-feed into one of the secure cells here. The first thing I noticed were the walls. Thick metal and concrete were riddled with gouges and slashes, piercing deep, as if someone had attacked them savagely. The next thing was… that’s a girl. Inside the cell was a girl with Asian looks, long black hair cascading down to her waist. She wasn’t particularly tall, merely of average height for a girl her age, but her face was striking, dark eyes and beautiful, delicate features. Or it would have been, other than her blank stare, robbing her of any emotions. She was wearing a drab grey prison jumpsuit, hiding her figure, and it seemed very out-of-place on her.

“So, I’m guessing she’s Chinese?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

“Yes.” Morita-san agreed, pushing up her glasses with one finger, to peer at the live feed. “Though there is no data on her our intelligence service has ben able to uncover. She named herself Zhao Daiyu. She was… recovered… by a fishing vessel who were… well, outside our jurisdiction, doing acts that the International community finds unappealing. Hence when they found a girl adrift in the ocean, malnourished and riddled with wounds, they were at a loss. Luckily, their humanity and civic spirit prevailed, and those that wished to toss her back overboard were overruled. Impossibly, after being fed some water she started to recover abnormally, impossibly quickly. Even so, she was still weak and injured, so they called for rescue.”

“One possessing a Divine Favour?” Shaeula mused, watching the monitor with curious eyes.

“Or perhaps a Cultivator?” I asked. “I’d say that was just a myth, but having seen the old shrine bloodlines, I can’t rule it out. That would explain why my tutor has been drilling that sort of terminology into me all day.”

“Yes, she claims to be a Cultivator.” Morita-san agreed. “She says little, and asks for much. She wants to know about her so-called Incorruptible Jade sect, and her father, who is seemingly the head of this sect.”

I see. The world just gets stranger. “So, have we seen her display any powers?” I asked.

“We have.” She answered me. “She fell into a slumber for days, healing wounds without any scars, despite them being deep and badly infected. Since then, she has overpowered a number of our soldiers, though she only renders them unconscious, either through force of arms, or by… mysterious methods.” Morita-san looked shocked. “I have seen footage of her using martial arts to subdue powerful men multiple times her weight with ease. With such skinny arms…”

“So has she tried to escape?” I asked, wondering how they would stop her. Well, I’ve seen the security on this facility. Unless she can weather machine gun bullets, she’d have a bad time. And there are heavier weapons too…

“Actually, no.” Morita-san shook her head. “She has made no attempt to break out. Perhaps she knows she can’t, as she still seems wary of guns. She eats, sleeps, meditates, asks for news, and when she doesn’t get what she wants, she subdues the guards, then returns to her cell, attacking the walls in seeming frustration.”

“Well do we know much about the situation in China? I’ve already reported that Tsukiko-san, known as the Diviner, has predicted events that make China an all-too-likely suspect in an upcoming calamity. Nurarihyon too.”

Abe-san spoke up now. “We take your warning seriously, of course. But more to the point, our friends…” he said the word wryly. “… in America, they sent us over some information, rather detailed at that. It seems the CCP and some of these sects have begun a bitter purge, and the remnants of this purge, sects, Chosen like yourself, and even some PLA forces, have absconded onboard several large vessels. Oddly enough, our satellites don’t seem able to track these remnants, but America suspects we are one of the destinations they could see landfall on.”

“If they are rebels and oppressed, maybe they could be allies?” I mused. “Though… no, we can’t take chances, can we? I hope actions are being taken.”

“Of course.” Morita-san said primly, spreading out some documents on the table between the mugs and bowls. “We have our navy and coastguard on high alert and have spread the net wide, as well as deployed the JSDF to coastal areas deemed most likely for a potential landfall. We’ll spot them if they come this way.”

“What about Kyoto?” I asked.

“Well, we take your warnings seriously.” She repeated. “Even though the military brass deemed Kyoto a very low likelihood of landfall, we have deployed forces there.”

“I see.” Shaeula was looking through the files with interest, so I started doing the same.

“This information is pretty detailed.” I noted. “They even list the names of some of the sects involved. No Incorruptible Jade though.” I observed. Mountain Fang, Brilliant Dawn Shield, Diamond Mountain, Unconquered Heights… damn, I don’t read much Chinese literature, but even I can tell these are classic-sounding.

“Yes, well, when it comes to gathering intelligence, as we’ve found to our cost…” Abe-san was rueful. “The Americans have us beat. Their spy satellites, internet intercepts, phone tapping…”

“I warned your Party about this.” The Opposition leader snorted. “But nobody listened. Now it’s a real problem.”

“I know. I blame my predecessors.” Abe-san smiled bitterly. “But we had no cause to distrust America. Well, we can’t do much about the internet other than employ new, better encryptions, but we are working on replacing all the cellphone network hardware, though the cost is stupendous. Some of the money we extorted from the Americans can help towards that, but even so, we’ve concentrated on the military, political and noble spheres initially. As for satellites, unless you can fly into space and destroy them, we’ll have to live with it.”

“We can not-not yet. Though I would dearly wish to visit the moon one day.” Shaeula grinned, finished reading the papers, her eyes back on the girl, Zhao Daiyu. “What do you intend for us to do-do with her?”

“I’ll get to the point. Whether she’s a Cultivator, Chosen, or both, she’s a vital resource.” The Prime Minister said, to nods from the other two. “All she’ll tell us is her name and sect, and express her hatred for some other sects and the Chinese Government. When we can’t answer her, she just disables our guards harmlessly, and either stands there in a trance like she is now, or takes out her anger on the walls.”

“We want to get her on our side, or at least secure some vital intelligence. We wanted you to speak to her, as you might understand her, and she might feel more comfortable talking to you. Besides, she can hardly disable you, right?” Morita-san pushed up her glasses again, looking at me pointedly.

“I doubt it, though nothing is impossible where Divine Favours and spiritual powers are concerned.”

“Speaking of…” Abe-san said. “If all else fails, perhaps I can ask for your assistance, Shaeula? With your winds?”

Shaeula looked up, surprised. “Is the situation that-that dire? I believe the new Ministry is not-not in favour of such measures except when voluntarily accepted, or against criminals?”

“True.” He sighed. “But we are at our wits’ end here. We need answers, especially if the Diviner is correct. Is it coincidence now that some Chinese rebels are out to sea? I’m not a fool.”

Shaeula was troubled. “I will do it, if Akio deems it necessary. Otherwise, I shall not-not.”

“I’d like to avoid it. She’s just a girl, a long way from home. But… well, I agree to being curious.” And whatever happens, I promised to protect Tsukiko-san. I’ll do what’s necessary for that.

“In that case, if you could meet with her now?” Abe-san asked. “She doesn’t seem to understand modern technology that well, she hasn’t destroyed the cameras in her cell. So we can watch safely from here and record the audio.”

“Fine.” I agreed, and a few minutes later Shaeula and I were standing alone in front of the door to her cell, electronic keycard in hand to activate the security locks. We had dismissed the guards, both because they would be of little use, and also to reassure her of our intentions.

“Here goes then.” I took a deep breath. The keycard beeped, and the sounds of machinery were loud, disengaging the heavy steel bars that were sunk into the reinforced walls. The door opened, and the girl within looked at me with her lifeless black eyes, only to pause, surprised, some spark of life returning.

“Who are you?” she said in Mandarin, immediately moving into a combat stance, her jumpsuit making it look comedic. “Cultivator? Accumulation realm? No, that’s impossible. Instead, you… you have the Favour of the Heavens!” she was shocked. “But… it feels familiar. An energy. Weak. Qi Refining, perhaps?” She then took in Shaeula, and her eyes went so wide I feared she’d hurt herself. “A yāojīng? Here?” she muttered, seemingly confused. “The same familiar feeling. Weak Qi. Who… why have you come here? I, Zhao Daiyu, uphold the remaining will of the Incorruptible Jade sect! I shall not surrender, never relent, until my sect is avenged!” she backed off towards the wall, seemingly expecting us to attack her at any moment.

Putting on my best smile, maximising my Charm, I bowed politely, speaking my own near-perfect Chinese. “Daiyu’er… I can call you that, right?” I asked, not waiting for her response. “We’d like to talk. About your sect, China. And you…”