Hiroshima, mon Amour Fallacieux

[Malaclypse 666]

(Aboard he [KNF]~Chijin~, Hiroshima System, Kusari space.)

Chijin stood at the viewport of his quarters on the Flying Bridge of his Flagship. He stared out at the brooding hulk of the Battleship Sado.

His official office as Taisho of all Kusari Naval Forces was located on the Sado; but he preferred his less pretentious quarters on the Chijin. The official Office of High Command felt too large, as did the burden that came with the Office.

He looked further, at Matsue Base in the distance, and at the beautiful ringed planet which sat at the center of Hiroshima system. Patrols raced off to monitor the jump hole from Oita.

A small, iridescent spinning globe floated at shoulder height next to him. Finally, the silence was broken.

*Are you absolutely certain, Boss? Youve threatened to resign as Taisho several times in the past, but youve always recanted, and stuck it out.*

There are no absolutes, Dis. Storms will continue to rock Kusari, and Sirius, regardless of whether I stay or leave. Chijins shoulders sagged momentarily as he thought of past six months here in the Blue Lagoon.

At the behest of a good friend, he had come the breadth of Sirius to the Blue Lagoon. At the request of another, he had organized a Trading Corp which equaled that of any in the Sector. And finally, through the whims of fate, he had been thrown into a position of leadership which he had never purposefully sought.

Those fateful whims had dictated the loss of dear friends and cohorts. The terrible ends which had befallen Ambassador deLuna and Taisho Nadiro still enraged him. The mysterious disappearance of Seiji Nebotuda, his predecessor, still nagged at his conscience. And, many of the decisions he had been forced to make as Taisho still galled.

The Ceasefire with their terrorist enemies still held; but at the cost of Kusaris honor and standing with the other major Houses of Sirius. It had afforded valuable time to rebuild, and to continue the battle against Bretonia; but it had also raised eyebrows in diplomatic and government circles throughout the Sector. It had made Kusari and its military look weak and desperate.

He finally straightened his shoulders and turned to his faithful Fnordette companion. Yes, Dis, Im as certain as I can be in this bloody world. I have committed once again the grave sin of whistling while pissing. We are needed elsewhere. Reggie is handling matters at Port Canaria nicely since his visit to the Spa; and the TAZ is maintaining itself adequately.

But we have committed to a huge undertaking in Baffin. Seldom does a group with our rather misunderstood goals and precepts get a chance to establish itself permanently. We need to pursue that opportunity ruthlessly if we are to make a difference here in Sirius.

We must trust that the KNF will continue to balance the Chao here in the Blue Lagoon. The true enemies of the TAZ and Sirius still remain concealed. They hide in plain sight. I know who they are. But I would never be believed. They have only remained hidden because of our victory over their minion Egrezy Hais. They dare not release the Eater of Souls in Newcastle either; as their control over him has weakened over the millenia.

Sulu has progressed to the point that I have complete confidence in his abilities to carry on. We will still be available to counsel if needed, Dis; but I can no longer wear two noses.

*Youre the Episkopos, Mal. The Santas.y.Pescadoros is standing by outside. The V-Mal will meet us in Baffin*

Malaclypse, also known as The Fool, and as Chijin, turned to the comms unit on his desk.

Yeoman! Send Captain Sulu in. Have all our Secure Comms codes transferred to his ship. Oh, and bring me that spare set of Admirals stars from my cabin. He then reached down, and with a flourish, signed the resignation and transfer of command which had lain waiting on his desk.

Wait for me on the Santas, Dis. As soon as I have spoken with my dear friend Sulu-san, I shall transfer the Taishos Flag, and well go home.

((Dedicated to the members of KNF, past, present, and future. Mal.))

---