Cumberland
Caripare
Irece Prefecture
Draconis Combine
15 August 3152
Sho-sa Jade Takahashi felt a little like she had been called to the principal's office. Following the successful battle against the Hells Horses, she filed her report on the actions with her superior. Tai-sa Okamoto Goro had seen fit to pay her a visit. This was the last thing she wanted. The Tai-sa was old school to the core and was something of a misogynist. He was also quite enamored with Jade, and much of her time had been spent deflecting his advances in as politically astute a way as she could.
Things had come to a head when, in a mildly drunken stupor, he had made his advances quite stronger, and she had to disabuse him harshly of his ways. It had the unfortunate effect of souring their professional relationship. Goro had sent her off to this backwater garrison and had made raising her battalion to full strength most difficult, shuffling personnel and materials to the other battalions ahead of her own.
Still, she had soldiered on, endeavoring to serve the Dragon, and as fate would have it she was blessed with the previous campaign's success. She could count victory over the Hell's Horses, and a technical victory over House Po Ding on top of that.
Her mind wandered for a moment to Po Ding. She had been quite unprepared for his entry into her life and the mental sway that he held over her. She had found herself fascinated with the man but was unprepared for the depths of her feelings for him that had arisen. Never had she envisioned taking him to her bed, but events had unfolded in such a way almost like a tsunami and she had been washed up in it. Now she found herself missing him at random times such as these, and it put her ill at ease.
She fought to put Po Ding out of her mind as she made her way to the office that the Tai-sa had appropriated for his visit. She needed to be clear of her mind to deal with Okamoto Goro and his machinations. As she approached, a junior officer opened the door for her and she made her way inside.
She was taken aback slightly at how invested Goro had already become in this office. He had taken this small business office and nearly renovated it to the standard of his office on Luthien. This did not bode well for getting rid of the Tai-sa anytime soon.
"Tai-sa, you requested my presence?"
Okamoto Goro was only a few years older than Jade but had risen quickly among the ranks of the Sword of Light and was relatively young for a Tai-sa in such a prestigious unit. It was true, that the Thirteenth Sword of Light was itself a young command, but the old guard were as entrenched in it as any of the Sword of Light regiments.
Goro was a traditionalist, and for Jade, that presented many a problem. His dealings with female officers were beyond atrocious, and his tactics often seemed like they would be more at home in the reign of Takashi Kurita than the modern DCMS. To label him a misogynist would be an understatement.
"Yes, Sho-sa Jade Takahashi. I have read your report and have serious questions about the events contained in it."
She bristled at his statement. "My report was entirely accurate, Tai-sa."
Goro frowned. "Yes, of that I have no doubt. But that is half the problem. The way you have handled this situation is most unfortunate. Perhaps it would be better if you had lied about events."
Jade could feel the heat rising to her face. "In what way does the Tai-sa find my handling of the situation problematic?"
"Problematic is as good a word for it as any. Your handling of the Hell's Horses was beyond reproach. You dealt them a harsh blow, and they will not be returning to this sector anytime soon. But you let a band of Mercenary raiders escape. If reports are to be believed, you even allied yourself with them and carried on with their leader in a shameful display of a dinner party."
"Tai-sa. The warriors of House Po Ding were instrumental in our repulse of the clan aggressors. There was no need to make enemies of them upon the expulsion of the Hell's Horses. I sought a peaceful and amicable solution to the problem. And I delivered on that."
Goro smacked his hand on his desk for effect. "A peaceful solution to pirates that came to raid this world?! Pirates should be eliminated, not dined with. Or worse. This entire affair is a shameful display."
Just how much does he know? There are spies everywhere.
"I am holding you personally responsible for the escape of House Po Ding, and noting this as a failure on your record. Speaking personally, I am most disappointed that you chose to dishonor yourself with a Capellan mercenary of all people. I have given you every chance to embrace that which is wise for your career, and this is how you repay me?"
Her mind was on fire. How much did Goro know of what went on between her and Po Ding? And the nerve of him to once more make his hideous advances was enough to set her anger ablaze. But she fought to control herself. There was nothing to be won by rash statements.
"My honor is mine to keep and ward, Tai-sa. I will not have you lecture me on matters of honor."
Goro was irate. "I will lecture you where I see fit. You are a soldier of the Dragon. You must learn to comport yourself accordingly. It is my duty to see to it that those under my command do not bring shame or dishonor upon the unit, and your actions have been perilously close to doing so. Take this rebuke as a warrior and better yourself. Try to maintain what is left of your career intact. You are dismissed. I will have your next assignment to your staff shortly. Do not fail again."
She left the office without so much as a word. Her anger and disbelief boiled up inside her. She had accomplished a great victory, and Goro was going to tarnish it to soothe his own ego. She was almost blind with rage, but still, she fought it back. No good could come from blind reaction in the face of Goro's insults. She would have to simply be that much better going forward so as to be above reproach. She would show that fool what it was to be a warrior.
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