Walking among heroes.

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Walking among heroes.


It has been 19 years since Maiha Nakatoma rose to secure the Imperial Throne of the Human Empire. Each year following her rise she has made a trip to a different planet within her Empire to visit the Military Cemeteries. She has always done this alone and on the same day, every year. This year she will have her family with her. Most importantly, among them is her oldest son James.


~o~O~o~

James ‘Jimmy’ J. Nakatoma could not believe his mother was making him actually write a twenty page report on the Valley of Heroes. It wasn’t like he didn’t come in contact with heroes of the last war every day. Then again his mothers never did anything without a reason. The fun part for him thou was going to be watching his sisters trying to dodge their Security Detail. They maybe only a year younger than him but they had already given their Detail more grief then Jimmy had in his seventeen years of life.

“Excuse me Prince James, but do you know when we’ll be entering Space Norm?”

Jimmy turned to look at the young cadet setting next to him. “Come on Steve, how many times do I have to ask you to just call me Jimmy?”

“At least once a say until you are no longer a Prince but the Emperor. Then you’ll have to ask not to call you your Majesty.” The young man chuckled. “Come on Jim you and I both know that we have to watch our selves around the Handlers. You more so than me, my friend.”

To prove his point Steven Light Horse looked over at the six very visible Hellhound, and four Stalking Horse bodyguards. “At least we my friend do not have it nearly as bad as our sisters.”

“I doubt that Steve. You know that their guards tend to look the other way a lot, right? Something about teenage girls needing more room to grow or some crap like that. I mean come on how many times has your sister slipped her leash in the past year?” complained Jimmy.

“Bro you’re preaching to the converted here. Trust me I know how you feel. And to answer your question Heather has slipped out twelve times that I know of. If I could get Derick to give me a straight answer I would know exactly how many times.” The two young cadets started to laugh about the love affair of their friend.

Their fun though was interrupted by the arrival of four young women and two more cadets. James stepped over and hugged the twins who were his sisters. Looking over their shoulders at the security detail. “Moring little sisters. I see that the Night Sisters have attached new members to your Handlers.”

“No that was grandma’s orders. She said something about keeping us out of the garden district. Whatever that means?” complained James’ sister Ohmie.

“Yah, you guys don’t know how easy you got it?” bitched Ahmie, Ohmie’s twin.

“Ahmie if I were you I would keep your mouth shut. Trust me girlfriend. Your brother’s handlers are a real pain in the romance muscle.” Laughed Cathy Pike as she wrapped James in a hug to be followed up with a kiss. “Hi ya good looking. Did you miss me?”

“Can you be any more obvious sis?” complained Derick Pike, Cathy’s older brother. “Say does anybody know where we’re dropping out at? I asked D'Artagnan and the old boy told me ‘You’ll know when everyone else does.’ I swear these Academy AIs are getting screwier by the decade.”

“What do you expect Derick. Everyone knows that the Academy AIs are decommissioned Angle/Demon Battle Platform AIs. That means the newest of them is four hundred and fifty years old. Of course they’re going to be a little screwy. You would be to if you were over four hundred.” Said the young lady that was the spitting image of her mother, Heather Light Horse.

The eight young cadets laughed at Heather’s joke. They had all experienced the flakiness of the ancient AI that ran their space-born academy. Like the new Super Dreadnaughts the Academy ships were a sign of the reign of Empress Maiha. One year after securing the Throne Empress Maiha commissioned the first of the great Academy ships. These ships were based on the haul design of the Texas class battleships. The Academy ships though would be unarmed; with the exception of defensive weapons, and places of learning.

The sound of a warning claxon echoed through the corridor interrupted their laughter. All eight stood there waiting for the automated message to play. When it did they knew that they needed to get back to their cabins.

“WARNING! T MINUS FIFTEEN MINUTES TO SPACE NORM! WARNING!” and the message repeated twice before beginning a countdown. All eight headed for their individual cabins. Their personal bodyguards were hot on their heels making sure that the teenagers made it to their cabins and safety.

James Nakatoma had more than enough time to reach his cabin and into his security net. He knew more than most the dangers of space travel. Like his sisters James had been raised aboard the great space craft Ryuk the Shinigami battle platform for the first seven years of his life. After his seventh birthday James spent his time either aboard Ryuk, the Academy ship D'Artagnan, or planet side on Hades with his grandmother Die Etsu and his aunts. James had spent more time in space than most non-military citizens of the Empire. Then again James was the oldest son of Empress Maiha and the War Princess Alison.

The warning claxon sounded a final time and James felt the shift to Space-Norm. It took James a few minutes to get his baring’s before he stood up and exited his cabin. He knew that his sisters and little brothers would be looking for him. They always did after a jump between Hyper-space and Space-norm. For whatever reason his four younger siblings always feared for his safety during Jumps. He asked them all once why they worried about him and Space Jumps he was taken aback by their answers. They didn’t want him to die like their great grandfather and his name sake James Johnathan Owens Sr.

When he heard the reasons for their fear James just accepted it and went with the flow. He too had heard of how their great grandfather had died. He had also heard how their grandfather James J. Owens Jr. had died. So James understood the fears of his younger siblings and learned to live with them. He didn’t have long to wait as his twin sisters found him first to be followed shortly by thirteen year old Jerry and eleven year old Richard. The fact that all five of the Empyreal children were enrolled at the same Academy Ship was a State secret. One that was protected with extreme jealousy. As for the protection of the school itself that was not lost on the poorest of intellect. Not when the Academy was surrounded by an enter battle group at all times.

Once James had ensured his brothers and sisters he was fine James headed for the nearest window. As he stood there looking out the massive view with his family he looked out in wonder. There before his eyes was the birthplace of the Human Race. Stretching out as far as he could see was Earth Prime. James barely remembered the first time he had seen this planet, and that was fourteen years ago. Then as if the very blackness of space was ripped out by a sword made of blazing white light a jump gate formed and the massive battle platform Ryuk appeared.

“Looks like we get to visit with our mothers’ guys.” James told his brothers and sisters. He loved his mama Alice, but it was mother Maiha that he never saw eye to eye with. He must not have schooled the tone of his voice because Ohmei picked up on his uneasy at seeing their mothers.

“Why do you have to always push mommy’s buttons? Can’t you just once sit down and listen to her and not judge?”

“I will the day that SHE quiets reminding me that one day I will replace her.” James snapped at Ohmei.

“James have you ever stopped and listened to her. I mean really listened to her.” when James looked at Ohmei she could tell that he hadn’t. “You know those little lessons mommy likes to give? Will they are for more than just you. She gives them to all of us. She doesn’t care if you abdicate to one of us. However she does want you to make your choice based on facts not emotions alone. This time when we see her really pay attention to what she is saying.”

Before James could say anything Ohmei walked away leaving him to his own thoughts. It wasn’t long thou before a young Ensign came up to him and his friends and family. “My Lords and Ladies, Princes and Princesses, would you please follow me?” Eight teenagers and along with the two youngest Nakatoma’s and bodyguards were led to the flight deck and shuttle. “If you will all please board quickly. You will be cross decking to the Ryuk in ten minutes.”

Before any of the small group could say a word their bodyguards ushered them aboard the shuttle. Once inside they were seated and strapped in by their bodyguards. The kids had long ago learned to not argue with the men and women who were in charge of their safety. If the guards said run they ran where they were told. If the guards said down they just dug a hole and didn’t ask why. Once secured the bodyguards followed suite.

“Um… Jimmy do you know what’s going on?” asked Richard from across the aisle.

“I think we’re going to be joining our moms on Ryuk Richie.”

“But why wouldn’t she come to visit us?” the eleven year old boy had problems at times understanding the concept of security.

“Richie, you know that our moms have that problem we talked about remember?”

“Oh I forgot. Security.” Richie said the word with a great deal of venom for one so young. James knew and understood where his little brother was coming from thou. He had felt the same way more than once. “Why can’t we just be like everyone else?”

James didn’t get a chance to answer his brother’s question before the engines of the shuttle fired and the small spacecraft took to its element. No sooner had they cleared the launch tube than they were shadowed by six aero-fighters. James looked outside when he more felt than seen the arrival of the next six fighters. Looking over at the forward hanger bay for Ryuk. Then almost as if James had summoned them twelve more fighters followed a shuttle out the launch tubes.

James and the others felt their shuttle shift directions. No longer heading for the battle platform James did the math in his head. “Holy Shit! Guys were heading for the surface. We’re going to set foot on Earth Prime in thirty two minutes.”

“Not bad your Highness, but I suggest you redo your math.” Said the Captain of the guard detail. “I make our landfall in twenty one minutes.”

“If we’re making landfall that soon then we’re not landing where the old capital was. If I knew where we were headed I could maybe give you a better answer Captain Delacourt.”

The woman chuckled behind her tactical helmet. Like all of those who were close to his mother Captain Delacourt always hide her face behind a tactical helmet. No one had ever seen the faces of the Captains for the personal bodyguards to the Empyreal family. What everybody knew though was to not try the captains; it was not got for your health.

“I will give you all one clue, Prince James. We will be landing in the former capital for a once great and powerful nation on the North American continent.”

It didn’t take James long to refigure their landing zone from the time that Captain Delacourt had given. “Oh man, we’re going to land somewhere around the Washington DC ruins.” James looked over his shoulder at Captain Delacourt. “Why in the world would our mothers want to land there? I mean isn’t it still radioactive? I mean during the War against Terror that extremist group set off those nine thermonuclear warheads. Shouldn’t it be still hot in that area?”

“While it is still slightly radioactive in and around the ruins of DC the area we are landing is not. I will give you and your friends some advice Prince James. When we touchdown stay close to your mother Maiha. She has not visited this site in sense before you were born. She has waited until she thought the time was right. This is important for her and your mother Alison. There will be a great many peoples where we are landing today. They are here for a special reason. That reason is to remember and pay respect.”

“What is so special about this day and this place?” asked Ahmie.

“I will leave that to you to figure out Princess. I will give you all one clue though. This place was the inspiration for Fiddlers Green on Hades.” The sounds of the atmosphere starting to rush against the wings of the shuttle interrupted anymore discussion. “Stand by for breaking burn.”

They all felt the sudden cut in forward movement as the forward thrusters fired. The next thing they felt was the grab of the Earth’s gravity. It wasn’t long before they felt the shuttle pierce the envelop of Earth’s atmosphere and began the downward glide to the surface. James looked out the window next to him to see the other shuttle flying almost on the tip of their wing. The two shuttles and their escorts were truly flying in formation. The Twelve aero-fighters were bracketing the shuttles, forward, to the sides, and from the rear. The formation covered close to two and half miles square.

Even as they crossed over the West Coast of North America the teens could feel the tension in the air. Wherever they were going was truly special. Whatever the reason the Empress was here for most be truly special. Captain Delacourt had even said it was. James couldn’t get his thoughts to slow down. They kept going over what Delacourt had said. How this place was the inspiration for Fiddlers Green.

He along with all of his siblings had spent their summers helping to care for that cemetery long side of the House troops. It was a place for Death Dealers who pay the ultimate price for freedom. When he felt the second burn of the forward thrusters he knew they weren’t long from landing. Looking out he saw the mighty Mississippi River flowing below the shuttle. It wouldn’t be long now before they touched down. The problem was where they were touching down.

What could be so important for the Empress, his mother, to adventure so close to a radioactive creator? Even now after all these centuries the Washington DC area still held areas that reach the danger zones for most rad counters. Then he remembered something in his history lessons. Only certain ruins in the District of Columbia were radioactive. The nation of the United States had moved their seat of government deeper into the heartland of the country following that attack. The rest of the area surrounding DC had been exposed to the Tokyo Miracle. The citizens of that ancient nation had truned their destroyed capital city into a memorial to all those who died there in that attack.

James was ripped from his thoughts by the sudden lurching of the shuttle as it set down and fired its forward thrusters one last time. The sounds of screaming breaks and tires on pavement let James know they were down and down safe. Once the shuttle stopped James unstrapped and stood to help his younger brothers and sisters. The other cadets saw this and followed James example.

By the time the shuttle door was open and the ramp deployed all members of the party was ready to get off. James stopped his sisters and brothers before letting them off the shuttle. After inspecting their uniforms James let them go. He smiled as his three friends were doing the same to their siblings. As the younger children hurried across the tarmac the four young men stood there quietly. When they started down the ramp they were in lockstep with each other. They were more than just friends, and cadets, they were a lance.

Maiha looked up from her daughters and two youngest sons. There before her was something that brought a great deal of pride to her heart. Her oldest son James was more than just a name sake. He was a true leader she could see it by the way he lead his lance mates across the tarmac. There was no doubt that here was the next leader of the Empire and his staff of advisors. With a bump to Alice’s hip Maiha pointed with her chin to the four young men.

Even Alice could tell that it was more than just friends that advanced on them. It was a lance of equals that faced them. “He has your wining way with the troops Kitten. Do you think they’ll follow him onto the battlefield?”

“Not only will they follow him onto the battlefield Pussycat but they’ll walk through the Gates of Hell and tear down the Throne of Satan himself for him. I fear the day that someone pisses off our son, Alice. Because the day he takes up the sword in anger the universe will see someone that even Deaths Own Daughter will fear. He will bring something that I never could.”

“Maiha, what on earth are you talking about?” Alice wasn’t seeing what Maiha was. All she saw was her son and his friends. A lance yes, but not one ready for the battlefield. “I am sorry but I just don’t see the fierce warriors that you do.”

“They are there love. And our son is the fiercest of the four. When it is time our son shall stand head and shoulders above you or me. For now though I want to put such thoughts off for the future. He has time yet and I will do my best to give him more.” there was a note of sadness in Maiha’s voice. She knew that there was always a threat to the peace of the Empire. She just hoped that James would have the time before he needed to step in as a battlefield commander.

As James approached his mothers he noticed something in his momma Maiha’s eyes. There was a look of pride followed by one of great sadness. Once again James felt he had disappointed his mother the Empress somehow. He and his friends came to stand at attention in front of her. Saluting James called out. “Wild Cards ready for the shuffle, ma’am!”

Maiha and Alice both smiled at their son’s cocky attitude. Maiha returned the sault and gave her own response. One that she was sure her son and his friends weren’t expecting. “Deal me in, Cadet Nakatoma. It is time to gamble with our lives.” At their looks of surprise Maiha smiled. “What you didn’t know that I’m more than willing to join any game of chance? I prefer poker gentlemen but in war I am more than willing to stand with fine officers such as you.”

At their looks of total shock Alice started to laugh. She was soon joined by the bodyguards. They all knew that the Empress had just given her son and his fellow cadets a very important lesson. Never be a smartass with the boss, it come back to bite you in the ass. James seeing that his mother had gotten the best of him and his friends did the only thing he could. “Very well ma’am. If you are willing to leave you AI out of our game you’re more than welcome to join us tonight for our weekly game. Penny ante stakes only thou. None of us have access to a national treasury to cover our bets.”

“Oh I would never us Dee De to insure my chances at a poker table James. As for your invitation to your weekly game I accept gentlemen.” Maiha smiled at her oldest son and his friends. A single thought goes through her mind. ‘Yes he will be a far better Emperor than any who have come before him. He will be a Death Dealer’s Emperor, just as Sha was, and I am.’

“Well we’re wasting time standing around here. Fall in cadets. We have a five mile walk before we can get started.” With that Maiha dropped her robes to show she was wearing BDU’s and combat boots. Alice just smiled as her own robes joined those of her wife’s on the ground. The two women picked up a pair of backpacks and started to hand them out sets of BDUs. After all the cadets had gone inside and changed their uniforms and rejoined them Alice took the lead. She headed towards the Southeast towards what was once the city of Arlington, VA.

Maiha dropped back to take up the tail end Charlie position. She smiled as she watched her son and his friends flank outward to prove cover for the party. Maiha knew that the Royal bodyguards had taken up positions that would insure their safety but the four boys were doing their part to protect their siblings. The more Maiha watched them the more she knew that they would be one hell of a team. At two miles from their goal Maiha moved to the front and took the lead.

At an easy pace Maiha lead the group through the Theodore Roosevelt Gate of the onetime National Cemetery. For the next five hours Maiha lead the young cadets through the cemetery. Over hills and down through valleys. In among the tombstones to place Empyreal Flags in front of certain ones. It was at one of these tombstones that Cathy Pike asked the question that was on all of the children’s minds. “Empress, why are you placing an Empyreal Flag alongside those ancient national flags?”

“Each flag that I have placed is for one of my own ancestors. Today is a special day among the people here. At one time this was a nation of heroes and heroines. Uncommon Valor was common place and bravery ran as if it flowed through the water. The people of this nation fought for their freedom. They knew that the Tree of Democracy had to be fertilized with the blood of patriots. That Freedom had to be pay for by the blood of heroes. I count among their number two hundred and seven ancestors as members of their military. That is way I have been placing the Empyreal flags at certain graves, Cathy.” Maiha continued down the row she was currently walking until she reaches the next grave. “As for how I know where and who are my ancestors I took the liberty to look them up. I did the same for all of you as well. If you want to join me in placing a flag on a hero’s grave you just have to ask. The guards know where your family members are buried.”

The all five of the teens walked over to their individual guards and asked. Maiha stood and watched as the children spread out across the ancient cemetery. Maiha and Alice both smiled as their four youngest walked over to their guards. Of them all only James stood off to one side. He stood looking up the hill at a white marble sarcophagus with a flat-faced form and is relieved at the corners and along the sides by neo-classic pilasters, set into the surface. Sculpted into the east panel are three Greek figures representing Peace, Victory, and Valor. There are six wreaths, three sculpted on each side, represent the six major campaigns of World War I. Maiha knew that inscribed on the back of the Tomb were the words: Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God.

“What draws you attention so my son?” Maiha asked James.

“That tomb up there mother. Who is that for? Is he one of our ancestors?” James never took his eyes off the gleaming white marble. Nor did he miss the two soldiers standing guard over the tomb. “Why are not Death Dealers standing guard over this tomb? What House Troops have such honor in protecting this man?”

Maiha smiled at the wonder in her son’s voice at seeing the Tomb for the first time. It was time to take her son to the Tomb. “Come with me my son. It is time for you to learn the story behind that tomb.” James followed his mother Maiha to stand with her before the tomb.

For the next hour Maiha told her son the story of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the military unit that was charged with protecting it. She told her son how there was one such tomb in almost every nation on Earth. She explained how each nation had at onetime their own military forces. That is wasn’t until after the last Great World War that humanity was able to reach for the stars. Maiha did her best to answer the questions her son asked of her. They stood there in silence as the guard was changed. James was drawn in by the beauty and pageantry of the ceremony.

Once the guard had completed their change Maiha stepped forward and saluted them. As one the two guards came to attention and returned her salute. Two of Maiha’s personal bodyguards came out of nowhere holding a wreath. Maiha took the wreath from them and slowly walked to the base of the white marble sarcophagus. There with reverence and love she placed the wreath. Once Maiha was done she stood at attention and saluted once more doing an about face she returned to James side. As they walked away to continue their tour of the cemetery James asked Maiha the question that she was waiting for. “Mom, why did you bring us here today?”

“I had hoped that you would have figured that out by now, James. I brought you here to understand the price of war. I came here long ago before going to Hades.”

“Did Grandfather James bring you here mother?” James asked with some wonder.

“No, James. I came here on my own. I never wanted to forget what it means to be a soldier. It means to place one’s own life on the line to protect your neighbor. To give your life so that others may live free. When I faced the Rebellion on Hades I swore to those who fought for us there that I would never forget them. To honor that promise I commissioned Fiddler Green. The first and only Death Dealer cemetery in all the Empire. Just as here those who die in the service of the Empire are buried there and will always be honored there. That my son is now your duty. I brought you here to past on that sacred duty and honor.”

James stopped where he was. In all of his seventeen years he had never heard his mother Maiha sound so sad. Yes she had been angry with him and his siblings. Sure she had shown disappointment in their screw-ups but never had she sounded sad. As he stood there looking around him he now understood the price that a Leader paid. The toll on the soul of all those lives lost protecting the Empire. Every decision made ultimately came back to her.

“James, there was once a great leader and statesman of the United States of America. He placed a sign on his desk when he held the highest office of this nation, The Presidency. That sign read ‘The buck stops here.’ do you understand what that meant? Oh and one of his titles was Commander in Chief.”

“That all decisions both good and bad are ultimately the responsibility of a Nations Leader. However it is the decisions that a leader makes as a military commander that have the highest price and greatest cost. You brought me here to see that cost, and understand what it means to be a leader, didn’t you momma?”

“And so ends the lesson, my son. Come along we still and a few more places to visit this day.” James quickly caught up to the woman that was his mother, but so much more on this day. Over the past seventeen years James had never seen her so quiet or somber. No she was none of those his mom was paying her respect to long dead heroes. As they walked among the tombstones James thought he could hear the voices of these long dead men and women. “Do you hear them Jimmy?”

“Yes momma, I do. Each voice is deferent but they are all saying the same thing. Remember, or never forget. All these heroes have earned their chance to rest in peace mom. I shall never forget what they have paid for us to be free. There is something else though mom. It is just on the edge of hearing but I just cannot make it out.”

“It is the warning my son. One that goes clear back to the days of the very First World War. They called it the war hero’s warning, James. Do you want to know what that warning is?”

“Yes please mom. I have learned so much here this day. What is this war hero warning?” at first Maiha thought James was being a smart ass, until she looked in her son’s face and saw the need to know.

“Never turn your back on the reaper.”

It took James a few minutes to understand that his mother wasn’t referring to herself. James was more than aware of her nicknames Reaper, Death’s Own Daughter, Lady Death, Empress of Death, and the Death Scythe of Hades. These were just a few of the names that his mother had. James had heard of a few others but there was no way he would ever use them around her or within a thousand miles of her.

“Mom, did you ever fear the reaper?”

“On more than one occasion James. Then I remembered a promise I made long ago.” At the sound of her voice James faced his mother. Maiha had gotten a faraway look in her eyes. “I promised someone that I would never retreat and never surrender.”

“You promised someone that you would always come home didn’t you mom. That is the other reason you brought me here today. To remind me that is one promise that I might not be able to keep and to never make it.”

“And so ends the lesson of lessons my son. However I have one last question for you James?” Maiha had a sad smile on her face now as she looked at her son.

“Am I ready to face the thin red line, mom? To tell you the truth I don’t know. I am afraid that when the time comes I’ll freeze and do nothing or I might forget everything I have been taught and charge headlong into the fight. To tell you the truth I just don’t know.” James couldn’t believe that he was telling his mother all of this. There was no way she would ever understand his feelings. She was never afraid of anything.

“So my son you have your own fears and are willing to face them. That is a good thing James. Just remember when the time comes that it helps to talk to someone.”

“Did you ever talk to someone mom?”

“More than once. Before you ask I’ll tell you my confessor. I always talked with Death, just as my grandfather did.”

“You talked with Death? Didn’t people think you were, well um… crazy?”

Maiha started to laugh at her son’s confusion. “Take it from me James there is no such thing as sanity in war. There is only survival. If talking to Death helps you get through the upcoming battle then fine. If rubbing a piece of wood or carrying a rabbit’s foot helps then do so. Like I said I always talked with Death and he became like an old friend to me. So when it came time to face Death on the battlefield it was like greeting an old friend.”

James just looked at his mother, the Empress Maiha Mana Nakatoma. Here was a woman that all his life he had thought had all the answers. The woman he had done everything to impress and all she cared about was him doing his best. For the first time he truly understood all the little lessons she had given him over the years. Everything she had tried to teach him was to prepare him for the day when he or one of his sisters or brothers took her place. She was doing her best to make him a better leader. Even this little trip to Earth Prime was to teach him, his siblings, and all their friends something. The only question James had left for his mother was why today.

“Mom, I promise to always find someone to talk to if I have time. Even if I have to talk with the Grim Reaper himself. Just answer one question for me. Why this trip on this day?”

“Today is Veterans’ Day here in America. I had not planned on the other lessons we have found together here this day, but I could think of no better a day than day to give you this lesson. Remember and honor our veterans as they have pay for our freedom. Some gave their all, while all gave some. Here now all around us are those who paid the highest price. Never forget this one lesson my son. All the others I have given you, you can forget, but not this one. You do that and you will always have the loyalty of the military.”

“Yes ma’am.” James had come to the position of attention and saluted Maiha. Then he smiled at his mother. “Death is dealt by our hand, but the Wild Cards always keep one Trump Card in the hole.”

Maiha couldn’t help it, as she returned her son’s salute, she started laughing. She knew that her son was ready to step out into the world as the next leader for the Empire. “Carry on Joker. Take your place as the next Death.”

“I’ll ring the bells of Hell, mother. I’ll ring the bells of Hell.”

For the next generation of Veterans you’ll not be forgotten.

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Comments

Thank you for this

With everything going on in our country right now. This is the message that needs to be heard and the lessons that need to be taught.

I thank you as a Veteran and I thank you for your wonderful writing and stories.

Thank you for this......

D. Eden's picture

I remember every day - I remember those who watched over me and kept me safe. I remember those I brought home, and especially those I couldn't. I will never forget them.

Absent comrades.

Dallas Foard
Captain, United States Navy

D. Eden

Dum Vivimus, Vivamus

Wonderful memorial!

It's nice to se Maiha again. The lessons she shared are for all of us.

Boys will be girls... if they're lucky!

Jennifer Sue

Thank you

As a veteran myself, I have to say thanks for such a touching story

We the willing, led by the unsure. Have been doing so much with so little for so long,
We are now qualified to do anything with nothing.

Those Who Should Not Be Forgetting

The message in this story is for all of us, for we should never forget those who where willing to protect our country in time of War and Peace. Expressly the ones who gave their lives for use so we can stay free. My We Never Forget them!

Thank a Vet!

Thank a Vet for their time spent protecting our Freedoms and Beliefs. Let us take a moment to thank those that made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives to protect those things that we hold dear. Let us take a moment to pause during our hectic lives on November 11 and reflect on those that answered the call for their country, both those who survived the battles and those that were unfortunate to lose their lives in those battles!

Sorry about this wolfjess7

I liked the story alot but there is one problem with the nakatoma stories , could you perhaps fire that spellchecker or at least hit it with a big hammer because it is leaving alot weird words on it's wake.. your other stories don't have this problem. Still thanks again for great story

To make that comment ....

Sammi's picture

Takes something from the Intent of the story's message!!!
I say this not only as a fan of Jessie's works, but also as someone that suffers with the control of the English Language as a result of dyslexia.
The comment above is highly insensitive to the author as Jessie is writing stories for people to enjoy in a language that is not hers by birth but about her 6th.


"REMEMBER, No matter where you go, There you are."

Sammi xxx

Taking Something Away from the Intent...

...is exactly what the story did with its dozens of typos and wrong words.

The ending was powerful. Getting there was a real chore for me.

That said, the story did a fine job in not requiring the reader to know the background of the story universe to get that powerful effect.

Eric

Well the English ain't mine

Well the English ain't mine first either , it's 4th
And now that you said it, it really might be insensitive comment..

Comment on language

tmf's picture

For me, an other non english native, I like people to tell me when I make a mistake and I will often do point out the one I see.
That one of the reason there the "Send author a message" button. Try not to just say the spelling is not perfect. Do put quote of the offending text and the best IMHO do offer a corrective.
After that the author can explain to you, that it was voluntary to denote one thing or an other, or they can tank you and do the correction and improved there writing.

Jess thanks again for your wonderful prose.

Peace tmf

Peace, Love and Remembrance

wolfjess7: 12 ...

Sara Selvig's picture

... spellcheck/autocorrect: -2

To me, the timing of release was much more important than "a few warts." There must have been too many emotions and tears for effective self editing, and I wouldn't want to wait for a second eyes to make it perfect tomorrow.

Thank you, wolfjess7!

(Does anybody have some dry tissue that I can borrow???)

Sara


Between the wrinkles, the orthopedic shoes, and nine decades of gravity, it is really hard to be alluring. My icon, you ask? It is the last picture I allowed to escape the camera ... back before most BC authors were born.

Sorry all out

wolfjess7's picture

Sorry Sara I am all out. *points to the empty tissue boxes around the desk* And you are right there were far too many emotions and tears for effective self editing. Raise your glasses my friends.

To absent comrades. May they rest in peace and their sacrifice not be in vain. HOO-YA!

May the peace and happiness of the Goddess keep and protect you
as always your humble outlaw
Jessie Wolf

Sorry all out

Sara Selvig's picture

That's okay, Jessie. I found a box that I had hidden away for such emergencies.

Thanks again, dear, for the remembrance. It was the right story delivered at the right time.

Hugs,

Sara


Between the wrinkles, the orthopedic shoes, and nine decades of gravity, it is really hard to be alluring. My icon, you ask? It is the last picture I allowed to escape the camera ... back before most BC authors were born.

Very good loved this, we

Very good loved this, we should remember those brave souls

WIN_20151023_13_56_29_Pro.jpg

Free meals for Vets on November 11th (updated)

Veterans can get a free meal today from Applebee's, Chilis, IHOP,
Denny's, Olive Garden, Outback, Red Lobster, Red Robin, and several other restaurant chains. Starbucks provides free coffee, and Krispy Kreme offers free coffee and a donut!

There are other free offers including discounts at OSH and Lowes. Some places even give free haircuts.

The offer is usually for Active Duty Military, Veterans, National Guard, and Reserves. Most places require one and only one of the following:

Military or Retired ID Card
Be in Uniform
Form DD214
Current LES
Photo of you in uniform
ID card for organizations like American Legion, VFW, ROA, etc.

I recommend checking on the Internet or calling the establishment for the details. Try googling:

Veterans Day Free Meals

Veterans Day Freebees or Discounts

If you're really hungry, you can have breakfast at Denny's or IHOP, lunch at Applebee's and dinner at Olive Garden!

I had a free breakfast (make your own Grand Slam) this morning at Denny's ( actually, it cost me $2 - I had an Ice Tea with the breakfast). This evening, I will be continuing a miniatures game (American Civil War). After we conclude tonight's action (a Civil War Battle usually takes four (4) to six (6) Fridays to complete), I plan on stopping at the local Olive Garden for a free dinner. There is still time for our veterans to have a free dinner in honor of their service.

Imperial Succession

In view of historical precedent and the events of twenty years ago, wouldn't the Empire have a policy forbidding all of the Imperial heirs from being on the same ship? Or shuttle?

You want to attack through WHAT?!

wolfjess7's picture

In answer to your comment about succession and the Imperial child all being on the same Academy Ship. I can only point to the one line about an ENTER BATTLE GROUP. To break that down for you I will list the ships in a Battle Group.
• 1 Shinigami Battle Platform
• 2 Super Carriers
• 3 Texas Class Battleships
• 12 Destroyers
• 24 Frigates
• 48 Corsairs
• 96 Patrol Attack Craft
That is a total of 186 Military ships. If you can get through all that you still have to deal with the defensive firepower of the Academy Ship itself. Oh and by the way they were built on the same lines as a Texas Class Battleship. The only weapons they don’t have are seven forty Core Crackers.

May the peace and happiness of the Goddess keep and protect you
as always your humble outlaw
Jessie Wolf

This brought up a great reply

This brought up a great reply my father once gave me about the guns of a battleship(Iowa Class but still true to other post WWI battleships) "people always focus on the big 16" guns of battleships, they never take notice of the more numerous, agile, and deadly 5" guns. Those are what get you. They can get lower, cover a wider arc, and have less recoil. In essence, get in their range and you are a goner."

I'm told STFU more times in a day than most people get told in a lifetime

Re: "This brought up a great reply"

I knew two (2) people who served on Battleships during the Korean War. One was my father. The other was a friend who enjoyed playing miniatures into the 1990(s). During the Korean War, my friend was stationed on an Iowa Class Battleship. The ship moved in close to shore to support the ground troops. His best friend was killed when the ship was hit by a North Korean Shore battery. In order to use those deadly 5" guns against shore targets, you have to get close enough where the ship could get hit by return fire. Your people can get killed...

Re: "This brought up a great reply"

I knew two (2) people who served on Battleships during the Korean War. One was my father. The other was a friend who enjoyed playing miniatures into the 1990(s). During the Korean War, my friend was stationed on an Iowa Class Battleship. The ship moved in close to shore to support the ground troops. His best friend was killed when the ship was hit by a North Korean Shore battery. In order to use those deadly 5" guns against shore targets, you have to get close enough where the ship could get hit by return fire. Your people can get killed...

ThankYou Jess

For yet another look at Maiha and Her Family, This is a wonderful stand alone that once again shows what a wonderful writer you are.
I love how James is rather reticent it seems he more like his Mother than he realises. I have a feeling that when it comes to being He will show how much he is like her.
And to show how much that those who gave their lives and served their Country should and does mean to the people that havn't needed to suffer the horrors that the troops endured.

Matt

A salutory story or a leap forward to the next generation?

Jess,
As a stand alone salutory story this is tremendous writing in an SF environment reminding me of sacrifices made by the previous generation and being old enough to appreciate that is a privilage. In the Western World our younger generations have escaped the true horror of all out war and I suspect it's difficult for them to empathise with the consequences of it. However a visit to a cemetary seems inconsequential until you see the reality of Arlington or the European War Cemetaries. Your story does justice to them.

The Maiha Nakatoma stories sucked me in and I dreaded the ending of each chapter to be followed by the wait till the next.
Are you starting another adventure or is this a stand alone offering for this most solemn time of year?

As of this time...

wolfjess7's picture

As of this time I have no further plans for the Death Dealer Universe. I had wrote this short story as a tribute for this most solemn time of the year. Like i have done in the past i have always posted a story for Veterans Day. Each of these stories can be found here on BC. I invite you to read my other Veterans Day stories. A daughter gets her wings, A soldiers homecoming, Keeping a Promise. All of these I have dedecated to our veterans.

As for the next generation of Nakatomas who knows? Maiha is still my first literary child and muse. I may come back sometime in the future and play in her Universe some more. After all she will still be that love able hell raising Death Dealer.

May the peace and happiness of the Goddess keep and protect you
as always your humble outlaw
Jessie Wolf

thank you for remembering veterans

Fantastic reminder of the importance of veteran's day, and why we need to be thankful for all of them who paid the ultimate price.

J Schade

Thank you

This story brought so many things home to me. You are a great writer.

Thanks

tmf's picture

May we always remember.

Peace tmf

“We’ll ring the bells of Hell before we forget. "

TANSTAAFL

A science fiction writer from back in the sixties used that expression in his stories. It means 'There Ain't No Such Thing A.s A Free Lunch'. Everything has a price, a price that has been paid by many so that the rest of us can live like we do. Let us not forget those who paid that bill for us.

My heartfelt and humble thanks to all veterans on not just this day, but every day of my life.

Thank you, Jess, for this powerful, evocative story. Reminds us all, if needed, of some truly important things that are taken for granted too often.

Maggie Finson

Weird words? PFFFFFFFFTT !

Yes, there have been many "weird words" throughout the entire series, but the story lines are so good I found it very easy to ignore them. There are many stories I have read on this site that have them, and spele czeckers doan ketchup with most of them. BIG DEAL! I read the stories for enjoyment, not to hunt for problems that may be contained therein.
Thanks to all the writers I have read, and those I haven't for all they have given- even the mistakes.

If you can read this, thank a veteran - male, female, and even the animals who often give as much as their handlers.

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE. IT HAS ALWAYS AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE PAID FOR DEARLY WITH THE BLOOD OF OUR FAMILIES, OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS.

Don't let someone else talk you out of your dreams. How can we have dreams come true, if we have no dreams?

Katrina Gayle "Stormy" Storm

Okay okay,

I feel the dreaded censorhammer on my backside, I didn't check when you had the veterans day going and there was that new president of yours who is giving trouble to people so I can understand why everybody wants to play whack a mole with me. I understand the meaning of the comments and the stuff about freedom. We lost Karelia to Russia. So we just now wait when they decide to annex our Lapland.

No, no censor

IMHO, your comment was not to the degree that would warrant removal. We extend to you the same freedom of speech the rest of us enjoy. To have a comment removed you have to personally attack an author or carry on an extended argument with an author about what the author meant. At least those are the biggies.

However, having the freedom to express an opinion means somebody else has the freedom to disagree with you. As long as the disagreement is conducted in a civil manner and doesn't hyjack the comments you are on fairly safe ground. But consider the possibility that sending a PM to the author can be just as effective as making a public comment. This helps keep the comments on a story on track.

Finally, and this is my personal opinion, comments made as Guest Reader may not go over as well as the same comments made by a registered user. Guest Reader is intended for the one time or occasional visitor. Please consider registering, its free and helps give your comments a bit more credibility.

As always, the above is my interpretation of the rules here, not WOG. Erin sets the policy and makes the decisions.


"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.”
George Carlin

Once again

You have once again given us a very fitting tribute to our brothers, sisters, and comrades in arms who have paid the ultimate price. May you always rest in peace my friends.

Thank you Wolfjess.

I am also happy to see a little bit of Maiha's family and future come back to us again in this wonderful little short.

- Leona

Jesse

If all,of our young could learn the lesson that James learned here.. Out young takes most for granted and think they are entitled. Thank you so much Jesse.

Best health to you and your family an I sincerely thank you and all for your service

SDom

Men should be Men and the rest should be as feminine as they can be

Three very nice things

Three very nice things contained within this chapter.
First, We all are getting to be re-aquainted with Maiha and her sisters and family; especially as she is now an older woman, a mother, yet still Empress.
Second, A brilliant tribute to Veteran's Day.
Third, Everyone reading was made fully aware of The US Army National Cemetery at Arlington, VA and what it truly stands for.
Especially on Veteran's Day or on Memorial Day.
As is stated so many times, "Freedom IS Not Free"; "Someone Had To Pay For It With Their Last Full Measure".
As a Veteran, I SALUTE all other Veterans who have served, and I definitely SALUTE those who have died in defense of our nation. RIP.