May Days I

May Days I

Soon after the Commando League of Generals (CLG) took power on April 5, 2005, they offer an "olive branch" to the Demon Ninja clan in western CM. Gen. Guyers goes on a two week tour of the CM nation on April 11 and asks for a Demon Ninja representative to meet with CM officials in the Union Republic. On April 20, CLG Gen. Adams and Adm. Mertz meet Demon Gen. Hiroto in the Union Republic. The meeting goes well but many uncertainties are still in both side's minds. During the meeting, Gen. Hiroto is given a letter to deliver to Demon Keyoto offering a summit at the CM Base. Guyers wishes to meet Keyoto alone to discuss peace. After a week of waiting, Guyers on April 27gives Keyoto seventy-two hours to reply to the summit offer. On the night of April 29, Keyoto sends a message to Valerie Fox to ask her opinion of the sincerity of this offer. As soon as Keyoto receives the reply, he accepts. He orders Yellow Demon, Gen. Hiroto, and Juki Wu to accompany him to the CM Base with an army of 3000 troops as a safe guard. Within the CM, Yamada and Diablo Batista are demanding that Keyoto be arrested and killed. Within the ruling CLG, Adams is pushing Guyers to send troops into the Demon territories. On May 2, Keyoto arrives:

Demon Keyoto arrives at the shores of the River Chelsea near the CM Base. With him are 3000 of his troops, Gen. Hiroto, Yellow Demon, and Juki Wu. Hiroto orders the army to stop when a CM scout comes toward them. The scout walks to Keyoto's horse and says, "Demon Keyoto, Gen. Guyers wants to meet with you in the CM courthouse building. Your troops must remain on the west side of the river. Only you and two guards are allowed to this meeting." Keyoto looks down on this scout and asks, "I thought we were to meet in the CM Base's headquarters?" The scout replies, "Gen. Guyers has changed his mind." Keyoto says, "Very well, it doesn't make that much of a difference to me." The scout walks away as Keyoto turns to YD and Hiroto and says, "Keep a watch of this area. The CM Base and the courthouse I'll be at will be about seven miles away. As we planned, if I don't return in six hours, YD, you and forty troops should come looking for me. Hiroto, if that fails, you make the call to attack or retreat. If the CM has a major attack ready, we can't withstand a too long from a full attack. Our 3000 troops are only enough to defend ourselves until we can get into safe territory." Hiroto and YD agree. Keyoto bids them good luck and he and two guards ride over the bridge to the east shore and toward the CM Base.

Valerie and Melinda Fox walk down a trail around the CM Base and discuss the meeting. Valerie says quietly, "I'm shocked Keyoto asked me about the CLG and the safety of this summit. He noted in his message that I'm the only one he trust." Melinda says, "I have to say I'm somewhat shocked too. I thought he would have just refused the offer. Many within the CLG want to wipe them out, any peace will not hold I believe. I'm not too pleased that he involved you with this I might add. I've only told JC of this, no one else should know." Valerie replies, "I don't think the CLG would be angry. Guyers really wanted to size up Keyoto. I agree, no one else should know unless we're pressed on this." Melinda stops and says, "Keyoto has to understand politics if he is ever to achieve anything in this empire. Warriors that do not use the art of politics to help achieve their goals will always remain as savages." Valerie adds, "We have to keep an eye on this army of Keyoto's too on the west of the River Chelsea." Melinda adds, "Indeed, we can't forget too that Keyoto is the killer of Sho Mitsogi. He killed him in a very savage and beastly manner." Valerie says as they start down the trail again, "I agree, I guess we'll see how this turns out."

Keyoto and his two guards arrive at the CM Base and look upon the huge warehouse styles building. A group of CM soldiers guide them toward the courthouse building as they see the Base in the distance. As Keyoto dismounts from his horse, he sees Jack Yakama and Jill Matsmoti. He looks over a them and thinks to himself briefly about Demon Vlad. Then he turns and walks into the courthouse. The courthouse is small and has a jail in the basement. Keyoto is greeted by CLG Gen. Millberg and Adm. Yoder. They offer him and his guards a half an hour to refresh themselves and are offered a lunch. Keyoto and the guards are seated in a small room and dine while waiting for Guyer to arrive.

Forty minutes pass before Guyers and a group of officials arrive at the courthouse building. Keyoto is asked to enter a main room as Guyers walks in and shakes his hand. Guyers says, "I'm please to meet you again. I hope your journey went well. We have alot to discuss, please be seated." Keyoto says, "My journey went fine. I look forward to hearing from you general." As they are seated, Keyoto notices Yamada and a huge man in red standing in the door way. Keyoto ignores them as the door to the room is shut. Keyoto begins the meeting by asking Guyers to withdraw CM troops from the nearby villages near the Demon territory. He adds he wants more territory to strengthen his clan. He offers Guyers and the CLG that he would sign a non aggression pact with them if he can rule, in full sovereignty, this land. Keyoto also adds he would help the CM with any attacks on the Kogasuma, especially against Dark O Fu. Guyers asks, "Do you want to be a governor of the provinces or do you want to be an overlord?" Keyoto says he has no use for the "CM" provincial borders and he would never stand as a governor. He further demands that Jill Matsmoti return the mask of Demon Vlad. Guyers believes the mask request is odd and moves on past that, avoiding the subject, to Keyoto's dismay. Keyoto also adds, "What power do you have over Yamada and the other CM special forces? I can't keep looking over my back if we are to have a pact." Guyers says, "Yamada and the rest of the forces are under my complete control. Yamada has issues with almost everyone, he'll have to adjust."  Guyers asks Keyoto to organize a political wing to his clan to better represent the villagers in his territory. He also believes Keyoto should distance himself from Zanatogi because he has "added baggage" from the Kogasuma that will make his clan a greater target in the future. Guyers also shocked Keyoto when he asks how Juki's pregnancy is going. Guyers doesn't explain further and adds Keyoto has a short time before he has to come to a decision regarding the pact. Guyers implies that other CLG and CM members want to invade the Demon territory and root him out of his compound. Keyoto insists he wants to be the ruler of a nation within the CM, which is now his Demon territory. Guyers says he couldn't get anyone within the CLG, the CM elites, the CM nation, or the CM National Council to agree on that. Guyers insist that a political wing would help strengthen his hand. Keyoto says he will think over the ideas Guyers suggested. Keyoto also added that he now plans to destroy a major dam on the Kogasuma border in order to exert control over that area and get a foothold into the Kogasuma. Keyoto explains that if that territory is taken, the CM could have an easy pathway into the Kogasuma, if they wanted to invade. He believes Dark O Fu has influence there and he wants to make that territory his. Guyers believes that would be a good strike. The two end the summit with a handshake and add that another summit should be scheduled to further any union.

Meanwhile at the west end of the River Chelsea, YD, Juki Wu, and Gen. Hiroto walk around the forest, waiting for Keyoto to return. YD and Juki walk along the rivers shore and talk to one another about their future and the troubles Juki's been having with Demon Devin. The Demon troops remain on the main trail with their horses. Gen. Hiroto walks into the woods and looks around with curiosity. As he walks deeper into the woods he hears an odd sound. He thinks it sounds like a woodpecker or kingfisher. He walks over to another river that flows into the River Chelsea and sees nothing. As he turns an arrow strikes him in his right shoulder. He falls off the rivers ledge and holds onto a tree's roots over the river. A man dressed in dark blue and black appears from overtop of him. Hiroto says in pain, "Who are you? You're not a CM. What are you doing?" The man, Shadow Tonata says, "You are right, I'm more than a CM and you are going to have a little swim." He swings his fist blades toward Hiroto, but Hiroto releases his hold on the root and falls into the river. Shadow Tonata looks on as Hiroto quickly flows down the river.

As Keyoto and Guyers exit the courthouse, Guyers introduces his fellow CLG to Keyoto. He shakes the hands of Hammerstein, Adams, Millberg, Mertz, and Yoder. A festive mood is in the air. As he passes Yamada, Keyoto remains silent. Then Keyoto passes this man in red. The man stops Keyoto and says, "Demon Keyoto, my name is Diablo Batista of the Red Scorpion clan. Today you have an ear to hear you, but that will not always be the case. You are a marked man. Your mask as well as your head will be in my hands shortly". Keyoto simmers at the comment but Hammerstein orders Batista to stand down. Before getting back onto his horse, he looks over to Jill Matsmoti again and says, "I wish to have Demon Vlad's mask back. I wish to give it to his niece since his head and body were destroyed. That's all I ask." Jill stands silently, thinking to herself why he asked for the mask back while she has Vlad's skull. Keyoto says to Guyers, "Thank you for taking the time to meet me. We need to patch up our differences and move on. I'm glad I have someone else within the CM that I can put some trust in." Guyers is puzzled by the "trust" comment, but says, "Thank you for making this long journey. I look forward to our next meeting." Keyoto and his two guards ride down the trail, escorted by a small CM scouting party.

While Keyoto travels toward the River Chelsea, Hiroto continues to flow downriver. He passes by YD and musters up enough strength to yell. YD and Juki are shocked to see Hiroto in the river with an arrow in his shoulder. YD and Juki leap into the river and swim with speed toward Hiroto. Several Demon troops spot this as well and follow suit. YD is able to grasp Hiroto. Juki grasps YD and both try to swim toward shore. They soon are back at shore side. YD asks, "What happened? Who shot you?" Hiroto gasps and Juki removes his mask so he can breath better. YD removes the arrow and stops the bleeding. Hiroto says, "A man in black and blue shot me. I don't know who he is but he wasn't a CM that I know." Hiroto is helped to his feet and says, "I think I can walk, that guy wasn't that good of a shot. I'll survive a shoulder wound." Juki says, "I really hope Keyoto has faired better. Who knows who is in these woods."

Guyers and the CLG have a meeting soon after Keyoto has left. They discuss the topics covered. Adams is puzzled by Keyoto's plans to destroy the dam. Guyers insist that was a gesture of goodwill and if Keyoto succeeds with the dam blast, an opening into the Kogasuma would be a great asset to the CM. Hammerstein believes Keyoto is desperate now after a long winter. He believes if Keyoto fails at this dam blast and Dark O Fu and the Kogasuma attack the Demon Ninja, the CM should abandon them. Guyers replies by saying, "Keyoto, I believe is an honorable man. If he needs added help with this mission than we should help." Adams believes Keyoto's plans to create a nation within the CM is totally insane. He adds, "If Keyoto really thinks anyone, even within this 'Demon' territory, would support a nation under Keyoto, he's truly delusional. How is he going to levy taxes to build bridges, fix homes, run the financial institutions, by a tribal ceremony? He has NO idea what he's talking about. These peasants in those towns would depose him within weeks." Millberg adds, "Running a ragtag army from an abandoned fort isn't really going to give you the credentials to rule." Adams adds, "Villagers from the surrounding areas would take up arms and fight this. I can't believe he's serious." Guyers says, "I told him that idea had no 'roots'. I don't think he liked that response though. I agree with you Adams, the nearby provinces would rebel over this. I told Keyoto that he should start a political wing to his group. I don't know if he will do so." Hammerstein says, "Is he willing to offer us anything? Besides his pact idea?" Guyers says besides a non aggression pact, Keyoto offered Demon Ninja assistance within the territory. The meeting continues for several hours before the CLG adjourn.

Keyoto and his guard reach the River Chelsea and is outraged that Hiroto had been shot. Keyoto asks, "Who shot you my friend? Were you attacked by CM ninja?" Hiroto is helped to his feet and says, "I don't know who shot me. He was a man dressed in blue and black. He also had an accent. I don't know if he was a CM agent or not." YD asks, "How did the summit go?" Keyoto says, "Fine, I have alot to think about. I know Guyers is under pressure to abandon these talks but I think he can be trusted.......for now. I will go ahead with the dam explosion we had planned. If we can get a foothold within the Kogasuma, we can have the recourses of two empires." YD asks, "Did Yamada give you any trouble?" Keyoto says, "No. But a man named Diablo Batista threatened me. He said he was a part of the Red Scorpion clan." Hiroto says, "Oh boy, where did they find him?" Keyoto says, "I don't know but I'm uneasy about that. We really have to keep an eye on the CLG and CM. I plan to schedule another meeting, after the dam is destroyed. I'll have real bargaining power then. I hope Erisu and Estrada are able to pull that off." Juki asks Keyoto, "You don't seem too concerned about Gen. Hiroto?" Keyoto laughs and says, "Hiroto is the toughest son of a bitch I've ever met. An arrow in the shoulder wouldn't stop him. Look at him, he's ready to get back on that horse." Keyoto helps Hiroto onto his horse as they head back to their territory.

Yamada and Diablo Batista stand together in the CM graveyard and discuss the summit. Batista says, "I can't keep silent much more. He was right in my face, I just wanted to grab him and tear his heart out. I can't wait for this friendliness to end." Yamada says, "Don't worry, Keyoto has a way of screwing things up. He's been beaten so many times by so many people, he was here for mercy." Batista simmers at the thought of seeing Keyoto and says, "I thirst for our next meeting. I vow one way of another I'll kill every single one of those swine." Yamada laughs....
by Jesse Nightingale ©2005

 

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