Read Online Steel Rain by Nyx Smith - Free Book Online
Authors: Nyx Smith
Tags: Science-Fiction
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the Guard. I am used to your stark white faces. I have learned to see beyond the impassive masks you maintain. Thus I know that you, Machiko, your spirit is large and full of turmoil. You know what it is to feel the conflict between duty and compassion, between that which must absolutely be done, and that which our finer emotions yearn to see made real."
Machiko bows. Honjowara -sama 's words only confirm the depths of his insight. "I have often felt this conflict, Chairman -sama ."
"And tonight, neh ! There is something on your mind. Something you have not said."
Machiko bows. "It is true, Chairman -sama ."
"Perhaps this involves matters you do not deem worthy of the attention of the leaders of the Nagato Combine."
Again, she bows. "This is so, Chairman -sama ." Honjowara -sama gazes at her sternly, then says, "We must seek clarity, Machiko. Clarity as concerns our competition. Such clarity is born of knowledge, and such knowledge cannot be elicited from gods, or by analogy with the past, or by mere calculations. It must be obtained from those who know. When people talk, we must listen. Even the idle gossip of fools may be pertinent."
"It is perhaps a matter of gossip, Chairman -sama ." Honjowara -sama gazes at her and waits.
It is embarrassing, the prospect of relating Gongoro's wild speculations, especially in the wake of Adachi-san's explication of what must surely be the truth. She does not wish to seem a fool. Yet, even the talk of fools may have value, Honjowara -sama says. Perhaps a value she cannot discern. "I have heard it said, Chairman -sama , that Yoshida -kai is full of hatred for metahumans, that they regard the elves of the GSG as an affront to their honor. I have heard it said that Yoshida -kai are traitors and that they plot to destroy our clan."
"Who speaks thus?"
"An elf."
"A member of the Guard?"
"Yes."
"What do you believe?"
Machiko breathes, settles her spirit. She says, "I believe that the Yoshida -kai are our allies, and that the Triads, the Large Circle League in particular, have long been a most dangerous enemy. I believe that Adachi-san is correct in his evaluation."
"Should we make war on the League?"
Machiko bows. "I will make war on any enemy that the Chairman should select."
Honjowara -sama pauses to take another sip of tea. Machiko feels his unrelenting gaze even though she averts her eyes, looking to the corners of the room, watching for enemies who do not show themselves. "You have heard the leaders of Nagato Combine," Honjowara -sama says. "They have long experience dealing with uncertain circumstances such as we now face. But you, Machiko, you are the warrior among us. What do your warrior instincts tell you now? What course of action do you recommend?"
Machiko considers this at length. She feels certain that Chairman will be as much judging the quality of her intellect, her insight, as any course of action she may suggest. She does not want to misplace her step. She has felt such shame already this night, she would rather die than fail to meet the Chairman's expectations, what must surely be expected of the senior member of the GSG.
Deeply, she breathes. She says, "I recall the words of the ancient masters, Chairman -sama ."
"Explain."
Machiko bows. "The Chairman has said that we face many enemies. The ancient masters have written that, in such cases, the warrior must draw both sword and companion sword and assume a wide-stretched attitude. The warrior should sweep the eyes around broadly and attack. To wait is bad. Cut to the left and to the right. Drive the enemy together, and when they are piled up like fish on a string, cut them down without giving them room to move."
The Chairman seems to spend several moments considering this. "And how may this strategy be applied?"
"Chairman -sama ," Machiko says. She bows deeply. "Draw the companion sword. While Nagato Combine's regular forces utilize routine channels of investigation, allow the GSG to utilize other
Machiko bows. Honjowara -sama 's words only confirm the depths of his insight. "I have often felt this conflict, Chairman -sama ."
"And tonight, neh ! There is something on your mind. Something you have not said."
Machiko bows. "It is true, Chairman -sama ."
"Perhaps this involves matters you do not deem worthy of the attention of the leaders of the Nagato Combine."
Again, she bows. "This is so, Chairman -sama ." Honjowara -sama gazes at her sternly, then says, "We must seek clarity, Machiko. Clarity as concerns our competition. Such clarity is born of knowledge, and such knowledge cannot be elicited from gods, or by analogy with the past, or by mere calculations. It must be obtained from those who know. When people talk, we must listen. Even the idle gossip of fools may be pertinent."
"It is perhaps a matter of gossip, Chairman -sama ." Honjowara -sama gazes at her and waits.
It is embarrassing, the prospect of relating Gongoro's wild speculations, especially in the wake of Adachi-san's explication of what must surely be the truth. She does not wish to seem a fool. Yet, even the talk of fools may have value, Honjowara -sama says. Perhaps a value she cannot discern. "I have heard it said, Chairman -sama , that Yoshida -kai is full of hatred for metahumans, that they regard the elves of the GSG as an affront to their honor. I have heard it said that Yoshida -kai are traitors and that they plot to destroy our clan."
"Who speaks thus?"
"An elf."
"A member of the Guard?"
"Yes."
"What do you believe?"
Machiko breathes, settles her spirit. She says, "I believe that the Yoshida -kai are our allies, and that the Triads, the Large Circle League in particular, have long been a most dangerous enemy. I believe that Adachi-san is correct in his evaluation."
"Should we make war on the League?"
Machiko bows. "I will make war on any enemy that the Chairman should select."
Honjowara -sama pauses to take another sip of tea. Machiko feels his unrelenting gaze even though she averts her eyes, looking to the corners of the room, watching for enemies who do not show themselves. "You have heard the leaders of Nagato Combine," Honjowara -sama says. "They have long experience dealing with uncertain circumstances such as we now face. But you, Machiko, you are the warrior among us. What do your warrior instincts tell you now? What course of action do you recommend?"
Machiko considers this at length. She feels certain that Chairman will be as much judging the quality of her intellect, her insight, as any course of action she may suggest. She does not want to misplace her step. She has felt such shame already this night, she would rather die than fail to meet the Chairman's expectations, what must surely be expected of the senior member of the GSG.
Deeply, she breathes. She says, "I recall the words of the ancient masters, Chairman -sama ."
"Explain."
Machiko bows. "The Chairman has said that we face many enemies. The ancient masters have written that, in such cases, the warrior must draw both sword and companion sword and assume a wide-stretched attitude. The warrior should sweep the eyes around broadly and attack. To wait is bad. Cut to the left and to the right. Drive the enemy together, and when they are piled up like fish on a string, cut them down without giving them room to move."
The Chairman seems to spend several moments considering this. "And how may this strategy be applied?"
"Chairman -sama ," Machiko says. She bows deeply. "Draw the companion sword. While Nagato Combine's regular forces utilize routine channels of investigation, allow the GSG to utilize other
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