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 Chapter 8

   Police and company officials once docked at the old Yokosuka naval base
met David.  The rapes had played out on the news and people were up in arms
at actions by a few sailors.  The company was in deep trouble with the
Emperor and the people.  No new ships had been allowed into the Islands
waters since the port had been closed and two men arrested there.

   The total count of seventeen rapes had been committed and DNA samples
were taken for each case.  So the key to the ID of the man was in police
hands.

   All the men bowed deeply to David.  He returned it, but not as deep. 
"Yes may I be of help?"

   "Admiral we have found six of the men so far responsible for the rapes
on your island.  The testing is going on to find the rest."

   "I understand your problem, but I am not here due to that and have my
own mission to handle.  So there is little I can do for you except act as a
prison if needed."

   "But you're over the entire Navy yes?"

   "That is true, but I don't run the ports and the harbor areas.  That is
handled completely by General Carlton Rider.  Security and Island
protection is by General Zane.  Once your outside of our ports on the sea
your under my people.  We do not step into each others business, as we each
have our own problems."

   You could see the disappointment on the faces.  They had been sure they
could cut some deal with David and be done with this.  "So sorry to have
bothered you Admiral." The men left the bridge and now the captain was
laughing.

   "Boss you sure made that group unhappy.  But I did notice you never used
John's name.  Why not as he made the decision?"

   "They never used the Emperor and this visit never happened as far as
they are concerned.  It was an expected back room deal, like they used to
get by with when business was running the country."

   "You seem to know about these people?  I was never here because my area
was the Atlantic."

   "I spent five years here on and off and know them well.  Not nearly as
well as John does.  But they are an interesting people with a lot of side
issues.  Here is very much like the US 100 years ago in how people have
status."

   That would help him once they had people on board from Japan.  "I will
add that to my knowledge base for later.  But I really need more data to
run this ship with a mixed crew."

   "Sit and talk with Dink, Ralph.  She is a real expert and will be over
all security on your ship.  Dink is a Lt.  JG so be sure others treat her
with respect.  The girl will also be serving me as aide, we go back a long
way."

   The message was loud and clear Dink was someone not to piss off.  "Will
do boss and she will be treated right by our people.  Where did she get the
name Dink?"

   "As small as she is her dad called her dinky duck for years and it was
shortened to Dink.  She has no problem with it so using that is fine for
friends.  The last guy that decided to have sex with her by force had his
knee taken out.  Then John had him castrated.  There is not a man on this
ship she can't whip and with ease."

   "I get the message boss and she will have zero problems from our
personnel."

   David left the bridge and went to Dink's office.  "Hey you look good in
that uniform and I approve."

   "I have been getting some flack over it from the crew."

   "Just took care of that I think.  But anyone who would like to take it
personal can go to the fight training area.  There you may whip their
asses. That is no matter their rank."

   Dink smiled at this and knew he meant it.  "That will be the last
resort. But the training and testing can also be watched.  I am sure word
will get out they don't want to piss me off.  I have training rounds coming
up with the Marine guard later today.  None have had Dana's course in
fighting."

   David left and went to his cabin to check his interviewing schedules. 
The bank had done an outstanding job and the interviewers would be busy for
the next eight days.

   He ordered food and sat back to think things through.

   Carlton during this time was checking every shoreline for hiding places
for small boats coming from the other dimension.  They found several lava
tubes that had a good number of boats in them.  These were sent back to the
warehouse for identification.  All in all they found over one hundred small
boats.  Each tube had been destroyed and now these places were not
available for this act.

   Slowly troops were closing up holes here one at a time.  They now had
buoys out to advise of any humans approaching shorelines.  These also
advised of the reef just beyond them.  Now troops would be waiting for
people they knew were coming ashore.

   It was a good period for John.  He had fifty families delivered to his
aircraft in Tokyo and flew them to the islands.  The A 380 aircraft had
lots of room for the families on it.  By using the flight time they
accomplished the processing.  It did not take long to get them documented,
records were in place and they did the scans and DNA tests.  It was just
fifteen minutes for each person.  With ten stations they handled the group
of 253 people and children fast.  Everyone had an ID card when they got off
the plane.

   Each family was delivered to their homes and given instructions and maps
for work locations.  The homes had the needed basics and food was supplied
to start.  Because they accepted the new jobs they were given one thousand
new credits as a bonus.  This gave them a bank account to start with.  Then
each week their salary would be deposited.  Not one had been employed when
hired, as they were considered outsiders in Japan, as they had come from
the US.  Each one was glad to get here and knew they would be accepted by
these people.  They were far more like this group of people than their
brothers in Japan.

   In all most of the projects were on track and coming along the right
way. Planning had been done well and bases that needed covered were.  The
plan was headed the right direction.

   David was headed down to watch the training for the security crew.  He
had a couple of cocky officers with him, as he wanted to embarrass them
today.  They knew nothing about Dink except she had his ear.  He had a seat
just above the ring and close to the edge of the ropes.  It was not ten
feet between this balcony and the start of the ring.

   The early was truly instruction and then a few felt bold enough to try a
fight.  Those were stopped quickly and finally Dink offered any two a
chance to try it.  She broke no bones or did any long term damage.  But the
troops were getting the idea.

   One loud mouth started bad mouthing Dink and she had enough.  "OK buddy
if you're so good I would be happy to put you in sick bay fast.  So you
make your mind up if that is what you want?  If not get out of here."

   The man jumped into the ring and started moving after Dink.  She kicked
him in the balls and he doubled over.  Finally he came up charging and got
laid out on the mat face down.  He jumped up and went after her once more
and she took his leg out.  Now he was screaming in pain when five more men
jumped into the ring.

   It was automatic for David to jump in behind them.  He and Dink took
them out in no time at all.

   "Thanks for the help boss.  I sure did not expect that to happen."

   "The man you sent to the sick bay, was the commander for the ones who
came after you.  We now have six less pilots.  So I did not expect it
either.  But I am going to have their blood checked as I think alcohol had
something to do with this?"

   Security took all the men to the sick bay and they all had blood taken.
They all had been out drinking and brought back a lot of sake which was not
allowed on the ship.  It was a rice wine that was very deceptive in how it
attacks your thinking.  These men would have one large hangover to survive
as well.

   David climbed back to his seat and smiled at the men with him.  "Where
is the hell did you learn to fight like that?"

   "Really I used to think I was good as a Seal.  But Dink taught me just
how wrong I was.  She has made me twice as good with less energy expended.
She could most likely handle the five, but I was pissed off."

   "You were a Seal?" These men were now impressed.

   "Yes I had a team that went into all kinds of places we were not
supposed to be.  But General Rider was a green beanie and ran Delta Force.
General Zane was his replacement later on and has the same kind of
experience, as he ran all Special Forces personnel."

   "Why all the Special Forces people?"

   "John said we are not going to fight major wars any more.  Others may
but not Shangri-La.  So having a few good people who can go in and calm
things down if required makes sense.  A military has two reasons to exist.
One is to defend your land and country from aggression.  Second is to fight
wars you start.  We are not going to fight anyone for their land, so we
don't need a big military.  As a country we are far to small to support a
large military."

   "But I see John investing in technology."

   "That he is and it cuts down the number of people needed to defend our
islands.  He just brought in 50 more families from Japan who were born and
educated in the USA.  They were offered a chance to use their abilities in
Japan and then were turned away by the people.  Slowly we will get many of
those people moved to our islands."

   "Why would they not use their knowledge and skills?"

   "It is a Japanese thing if your not born there and then educated there
you're an outsider.  Now you two have work to do and had better get to it."

   "Yes sir." They were off like a shot now.  But there was a new respect
for the leadership of the islands and for Dink.

   David went to his cabin and watched the interviews on closed circuit TV.
Many were quickly rejected as they were just looking for money and a job.
Moving their families was not something they wanted.

   There was a small group that fit into the plan nicely.  All spoke
reasonable english and were competent ships crew or soldiers.  Those who
would serve as soldiers were sent to check their fighting skills.  Dink had
people waiting to assure they could learn the new ways.  Each trainer was
female it was critical that these men could handle that.

   Over the eight days David picked up fifteen thousand men.  With families
that would add right at fifty thousand to the islands people.  He had two
thousand in ships crews and the other thirteen thousand were soldiers for
land fighting.  These would be broken down in to companies of 100 men. 
Then 20 companies would become an army.

   David had been able to buy rifles small arms and ammunition while in
Tokyo.  So he was not unarmed for these troops.  He had uniforms winter or
summer, packs, canteens and good boots for everyone with spares for
emergencies.  Purchasing had bought good heavy coats just incase they were
needed.  Mortars, machine guns and small field guns were also purchased for
field fighting.  Far more ammunition that should be needed was also
obtained.

   Buying this and paying in gold coins obtained good quality quickly.  The
government was happy to get gold for the extra arms and ammunition sold. 
They had some newer ideas they wanted to use for homeland defense now.  So
moving their existing weapons would allow them to upgrade their home
defenses.

   David had found in the old base six Landing Craft Air Cushion, they were
sitting parked on the shore.  They would be great for landing troops, food,
water and equipment.  He had the engineers build a lifting platform for
these on the side of the carrier.  They would come onto the platform and be
lifted to a hanger deck for storage, fueling or service.  With the fuel the
islands had they could be used later for ferries between islands.  Anything
flying over water at forty knots was worth having.

   These units were the ETF 40-B engine units and carry 60-75 tons
depending on water action and air temperature.  There were extra skirts and
engines as well as many other parts.  All of this was loaded on the
carrier. These six units would save many lives David was sure.  He had
landed on one of these several times and knew just how safe troops were
going in.  Their main draw back was the need for 1,000 gallons and hour of
jet fuel.  They did have capacity for 5,000 gallons of jet fuel.

   But David knew he would help the force for landings and make it safer to
deliver food, fuel and ammunition.  Taking any wounded off the battlefield
as needed for medical help.  With automated machine guns on them and larger
caliber field guns they would not be easy targets.

   He had a team of his officers now scouting the old base for any possible
usable parts and weapons.  There were many parts he could use stored in
warehouses and much ammunition for his aircraft.  The trip was worth it
just for these gains.  He left food found and pointed it out to locals so
it would not go to waste.  They in return started looking for things he
might want and found many of these for him.  The larger items they got
officers and brought them to those things.  Most had worked here and knew
what would be of value to the large ship.

   The last days of the interview were the best.  People were ready to make
the move and wanted out of Japan.  Most had technical degrees and some were
medical personnel.  David took as many of the US born as possible.  Any who
were not taken were told to keep in touch with the bank.

   That afternoon the ship was slowly towed from its berth.  The cruisers
had been waiting off shore for the finish of the interviews.  They were
kept there to protect the carrier and not be vulnerable to any attacks.  No
one knew how Japan would accept the news of ships being stopped from
loading in the inlands?  But people had been angry with the rapist and not
with the islands.

   David knew he had a lot to do when he got home.  One carrier was going
to be modified to allow the LCAC's to enter the carrier from behind it. 
That meant he would take two carriers and have lots more space for weapons,
people, food and fuel for each type use.  With two carriers, one cruiser,
one fuel tanker and the LCAC's he would be able to do more with less ships.
Now his battle plan started to form.

   He called Carlton to advise what he had and needed.  "Look take one of
the carriers and cut the back of the ship out.  I want a landing ramp that
my LCAC's can run up to enter the ship and be refueled, stored or reloaded.
It has to have room for at least 4 of these and I really would like all 6."

   Carlton knew these and liked them also.  "I'll get the techs working on
it now.  With two huge ships like the carriers I am pleased, as they are
not an easy target for wooden ships.  David your going back in time with
this, to well over five hundred years ago.  Not just the people, but
weapons, technology and the way things are ruled."

   David had to think about this a second.  "You mean they are like at the
point of Columbus was when he sailed for the Indies and got America?"

   "You got that faster than I did David.  Their ships are not large and
nothing will be metal at all.  They still use rocks for anchors."

   "I need to know as much as possible before I start building my final
plan.  We lucked out and got mostly ex US citizens.  I am going to be
adding about 50,000 to the population on the islands.  Most are half Asian
and half American on the children."

   "John is really pissed at Japan right now.  They invited the US Japanese
back and then turned their backs on them.  He really chewed on the Emperors
tail and I heard it.  He had me and three who had returned to us as
scientist and they heard it as well.  The Emperor was ready to cry when
John got done.  I told him all you had recovered off the naval base and he
was ecstatic.  So I will pass on this report and your requests."

   Now David had to adjust to fighting in a world of little technology and
willing to lose thousands if needed to win.  It was for sure a place where
life meant little to those in power.  He did wonder if they had gunpowder
yet?  It was not a major worry, but it would add problems for troops.  If
the weapons were as old fashion as they were in that period they had to be
very close to have any effect.  Of course ports would not be safe for large
ships, so the LCAC's would be the right tools.  One question was did the
enemy have cannons?

   As he went over the question Dink knocked at his door.  "Come in young
lady and tell me what we have to fight with?"

   "I think we will have very good disciplined troops boss.  They are
picking up the fighting method we use quickly.  We have been discussing the
other dimension and what little I know has been passed on."

   "I can give you a little more Dink.  It is about the period of
Columbus's discovery of America in technology.  Now don't get the idea that
means things will be easy.  They for sure will not.  In that period of time
life meant nothing to those ruling the world."

   "I get your meaning sir.  I have been reading the history of the Navies
during that period.  But I also understand you can be killed with an arrow
as easy as a bullet.  So we need to get them ready for some of this type
fighting.  Our choice is stay back a good distance and fire weapons.  I
think we need some of those very small planes with cameras on them, to look
behind hills and other places not easy to see."

   That was a good suggestion and David would use it.  "I agree Dink we do
need them.  But there just is not much we can plan for yet.  Carlton and
the General are pulling together a full picture of weapons, fighting
abilities and what to expect.  You can read it when I do so you know what
to plan for security wise.  Carlton is having one carrier modified to allow
LCAC's to enter it from the rear.  All troops and security people will work
off it.  On that ship you will have control in my name.  I'll be running
air cover from here."

   "Now you might want to think about that boss.  I still know little about
ships."

   "But you do know about fighting and winning.  That is going to be the
main job of that ship and its people.  You're going to pick your own
commanders and the officers for each company.  They will be your people and
reporting back to you on the ship.  Security on the ship is also your job,
as no one needs to come aboard and blow it up.  Our officers would try to
fight like its modern warfare and that is just not going to work.  If I use
them they will end up killing a lot of good troops.  We don't need that and
I will not allow it to happen."

   "Can I pick some good advisors once we are home and use them to give me
ideas and suggestions?"

   "Yes, but your to make the final decisions and take responsibility for
them.  That is the trade off for the people you want.  Can you live with
that?"

   "Sure I can, but I am not looking for officers to advise me.  I want
noncoms whose ass has been on the line.  They often know more than the
officers they served with."

   "I don't know where you learned that, but it is fact.  Back a few years
ago I had two that saved my butt often.  Who are you think about?"

   "Sgt Grinder and Debbie and Hideki's brother Joji who was a Sgt in the
US Army.  He gives me the Asian side of the issue as well.  He is one I
just pushed through the process to be sure he got chosen.  He had no
family, so he would have been rejected.  I think most of our battles will
be with Asian people in that dimension.  Hideki does not know his brother
is even alive.  He was raised by a woman working for his mother and not at
home.  The difference was he had a different father."

   "I like your choices and agree with them.  It is nice you did what you
did for Hideki and I am sure he will appreciate it.  He really needs a
brother now days."

   "Well boss I need to start planning how we are going to structure and
who the officers are?" She headed for her office to start the planning.

   David called John.  "Boss I have something you need to prepare Hideki
for.  Dink found his brother who he has no idea is a brother.  His mother
farmed him out to a woman who worked for her to raise.  They had two
different fathers.  So someone needs to prepare him for meeting this man.
He is ex Army Rangers and will server as advisor to Dink on battle
planning."

   "Are you sure you want Dink doing that?"

   "I sure am boss as she will no go getting people killed because this is
no modern war.  Using a current officer is going to get a lot killed,
because they just won't understand you can't fight there like you do here."

   That did make some reasonable sense to John.  "OK I will trust your
judgment and back that.  Knowing her I assume she wants Bill Grinder and
Debbie?"

   "That she does and thinks they will jump on the chance."

   "I am sure she is right.  Now your carrier is being modified now for
bringing aboard the LCAC's.  That was a sweet pick up and one I am glad you
grabbed.  We have a tanker being armed and it is double hauled so little
chance of damage.  "I did steal some older piston driven ground attack
fighters from India.  They are brand new, but old technology.  We will have
a lot of ammunition belts and refills for them.  They were happy to provide
extra engines, parts and bombs for the aircraft.  That carrier will not
even have to use a catapult to get these in the air.  We have one hundred
either here or on the way.  So you will have a good air wing for fighting.
They are better than the jets for your needs."

   "They will be a lot easier to work on and repair as well.  The slower
flying plane will allow strafing and help support ground troops."

   "We have a whole new group learning to fly the ones we have now.  None
will be your jet jockeys.  They are taking off and landing on one carrier
sitting still in the harbor.  Of course we are using tail hooks to stop
them."

   "That should be fun watching.  To be honest I really like that idea. 
But I would like to have a few slicks to fly wounded back to be treated. 
Not everyone can wait for a LCAC to bring them back."

   "I'll work on that for you as it would be a good way to handle that.  We
when this is over could use them here for many jobs.  It does mean your
back to two fuels."

   "Yes but it is one type fuel on each ship.  The slicks and the LCAC's
will be using the same fuel.  Both are turbojet engine operated.  I will
need the extra tanks on the LCAC ship, as it will be burning the most fuel
with the landing craft and slicks operating."

   "That we will sit and workout before you go.  I also want to hear what
Dink has in the way of plans and ideas.  In looking at her folder I see she
is very close to completing her degree in history from the fall of Rome to
the industrial revolution period.  It fits her new job nicely."

   "I know boss that is why she has it.  In discussions she has impressed
me with the errors she has seen in actions taken by many past leaders. 
There have been questions I just could not answer for her.  So I talked
with her advisor and he said she seems to naturally see things that should
have been obvious to others?  But until she explains it you just don't see
it?  She has also asked for small camera aircraft like the toys used for
that."

   "Those she can have and with lap tops to view what they see.  I am sure
knowing what your going into would help keep people alive.  They will be
set up for her and we will have techs teaching people how to use them. 
Come see me once you get in and lets talk."

   "Will do boss and I feel comfortable right now with this fight.  It for
sure is not going to be a standard war, but it should be successful."

   David went to Dink's area and let her know about John's requests.  That
she would get what she had asked for also.

   "I am glad as I have put it into the plan outline for now.  Right now
Joji is working with me to set a general plan.  We are assuming that the
people will fight as Japan did five hundred years ago.  It was a high point
of the Samurai warriors and most of what I have heard seems very much like
that period in time."

   "For sure I can't argue with that.  So your expecting bows, arrows and
swords?"

   "Yes and the armor of the time.  At least it will be that way with the
more well ordered social structures.  They will often try their best to
infiltrate our camps and kill people at night.  I expect poisons to be used
where reasonable and every old trick that had been used in Japan tried
here. It will be like stepping back in time.  They will have to attack the
carrier I am working from and will do so at some point.  But having a woman
as commander of our troops is going to highly piss them off.  I do intend
to show myself and offer to fight any leader."

   Now David was starting to see what he had created here.  Dink had no
fear and was sure she knew what was coming.  It would be a man against
woman battle in that dimension.  The whole concept destroyed their entire
system of beliefs.  The code of bushido was the code of complete loyalty to
a feudal lord.  The Samurai warriors placed their lives on the line for
their lord's life, land, goods, family or honor.  Rules were strict and the
price for failure high.  Here a woman was not held in as high a regard. 
They for sure did not fight like a man did.  But those who did the farming
and worked the fields were just like the animals to be tolerated.  Many
could be had for just a little food.  They were the lowest step on the
ladder.

   The carrier pulled into the harbor that next day and Dink was on the
bridge to watch the event.  A helicopter landed on the deck and John got
out and went to the bridge.

   "Well my leaders of this odd mission.  Dink I read your report and
expectations, I could not agree more with your conclusions.  My best guess
is your right on target and heading the right direction.  The techs have
created a few things for your people to help protect them.  Remember the
old riot shields?  They have one that will take an arrow and can't be cut
with any sword."

   "My worry was clothing sir.  My people will be vulnerable to attacks
from people well concealed and they are going to be unprotected."

   "They will have a body armor of sorts to protect them.  But a Japanese
sword is just not possible to stop with what we can produce.  So they must
stop that fighter first.  We can limit wounds by arrows for them.  The key
word is limit not stop all.  It is light and will help keep people alive."

   Joji walked up to Dink and just stood they're saying nothing and
listening.  She looked around and smiled.  "John this is Joji and he is
Hideki's half brother."

   John bowed to the younger man and you could see shock on his face. 
"Good manors are not something I am short of Joji.  I give your brother
fits from time to time as I am always suggesting things to him he missed."

   "In my life time I saw my brother may be ten times.  He never seemed to
feel any attachment to me so I have just dropped it."

   "You do know your related to the Emperor through your mothers side of
the family?"

   "I am now a citizen of the Shangri-La Islands and have no other
connection to any country.  Now I love working for Dink and enjoy her mind
greatly.  My entire skills are military and as an ex ranger I was pretty
good at it."

   Given time one day this young man would be a very good commander. 
"Colonel you're more than welcome here and we will do our best to respect
your wishes." John handed him the golden birds of a colonel's rank.  "Now
General Dink here is your start for the coming fight." A set of two
beautiful platinum stars was handed to her.

   "I sure did not expect this John." She looked lost and John had more for
her.

   "Colonel William Grinder will meet you at your home, as will Colonel
Debbie Grinder.  So your staff is in place.  The house you have has its own
office and staff area.  There is room for Joji to have a bedroom there as
well.  The native ladies have taken over your house and will see you and
your people get fed, it is clean and you all have laundry done.  Their
husbands are keeping the garden nice for you as well as your hot tub
running."

   "John you sure make a girl feel welcome and important.  But I am not
what is important.  It will be the people doing the real fighting.  That is
where my full concerns are right now.  If I make a mistake it is their
lives that will pay for it."

   "Dink don't take this the wrong way.  But your going to make mistakes
and yes some will pay for it.  But those are learning periods and you have
to expect them.  Life is just that way for us humans.  So to expect
perfection is not reasonable for us.  We must understand there is a
learning curve and you can prevent some issues early, but not all of them.
I assure you there are things you just don't know right now and until you
fight you won't know them.  Then they will adjust and you will learn more."

   She knew John was right and she did not like that.  But Joji was really
impressed.  "Sir that was sound advice and well put.  Many of the new
troops are friends, so I have great worries as well.  But I also know as
they do we can only do so much."

   "Your troops are being moved to a camp just outside of town.  There are
two cars at the house for you to go out there and over see some of the
training.  We have housing for families here and on other islands for after
you leave.  The pay for their spouse will be deposited each week for them
to live on.  But you have them processed and each has an ID card.  So
everyone is in good shape here now.  That helped us greatly."

   "Ninety percent has US records to use building their files.  Those
non-citizens educated in California we were not able to document properly.
So we used Japans database.  If they were out of the country when they said
they were in school we accepted that if we had a customs entry document
marked student.  So some logic was used to cure some of our problems."

   "We found even more after you sent them here.  Every decision you made
was proven out correct.  So you do get an "At A Boy" for the work.  Now I
will give you, David and Joji a life off this ship if you would like one?"

   "We have a ton of bags and a lot of files to get to the house.  I have a
small boat coming to pick it all up and Joji and I.  We will fill a small
truck with the files we have right now.  So thank but take the boss and
keep him happy." She was smiling as she left the bridge with Joji right
behind her.

   It took Dink and Joji a good two hours to over see getting their boxes
loaded and then their clothing on the small boat.  They went to the dock
where the truck was and the crew loaded the truck.  Someone had brought a
staff car for the two of them to ride in.

   "I have no idea where this house is or what it looks like Joji.  So you
get the same surprise I do." She laughed at her comment.

   "As long as we can work someplace where I can see the outside I am
happy. We will have better working areas and sleeping also on the new
carrier."

   "The whole VIP area David had will be ours for both living and working.
But officers and troops will have one dinning hall to eat in.  We will not
have officers in one and enlisted in another.  We will eat there as well to
be seen and available."

   "I get the feeling you want to set an example in this?"

   "Yes, one far different from the old military.  Our military has been
mostly Special Forces personnel and they operate differently.  So we will
operate as they do.  That I know works and makes for tighter groups.  Here
seems to be our new home."

   You could see little from the outside as the wall blocked it off.  But
Dink's old native scouts security force were guarding the property.  So she
knew she was home.  She shook hands with each of her troops and talked with
them.  Then retired into the garage to direct the unloading.  She picked up
her bag and headed for the house before anyone could stop her.

   As she walked through the garden she enjoyed the look and peace she
felt. It was going to be a nice place to work from.  The house was neither
American nor Japanese style.  It was much more like the Moorish
construction in Spain.  A home built around a central courtyard.  It would
be easy to protect and the windows were covered with decorative wrought
iron bars as were the doors.  No trees were close enough to allow access to
the roof.

   "This looks pretty secure Dink and in some ways more like a jail than a
home." Joji was not sure he was going to like this?

   "It is a Moorish style from Spain in the 12th to 14th centuries.  The
outside was built this way to protect the owners from attacks.  Once inside
they are beautiful and have a large landscaped courtyard in the middle.  We
will be eating outside most of the time Joji."

   Once she got in the front door Debbie grabbed her in a hug.  "Girl you
do seem to get into trouble a lot.  I am just going to have to keep a
better eye on you." Now she was laughing.

   "You can bet I did not ask for this.  I even questioned the bosses mind
in doing this and he when he explained made sense?"

   The new Colonel stood behind his wife smiling at these two ladies. 
"Well boss put your bag down and come with us as lunch is ready."

   Joji and Dink dropped their bags and followed William to the patio.  A
large table was set up with food and beverages for them all.  The meal was
fresh baked bread and large salads for each of them.

   "This is incredible and I have never eaten a salad that tasted like
this." Joji was impressed with the food.

   "The woman who prepared the food has a son who worked for me.  She is
very good at doing things that are different to your taste buds.  Just
tasting the flavor I knew who fixed it."

   Now the group sat and discussed the plan put together so far.  Dink gave
them a view of what she expected and why.  Joji filled them in on the
history for the Samurai warriors and how good they were at fighting.  The
weapons they expected and the night attacks they knew would come.

   "That does not sound like any fighting I have been in before.  I fought
in the Middle East and they would try to blow you up and dropping a mortar
round on you was great fun.  But to have assassins coming into the camp at
night, which we never had to deal with.  During WW II the Japanese used to
try to slip in and kill troops to open up places to attack.  I guess that
is the closest to this method of fighting."

   "Please note who did that and understand much of the population of Japan
came from here many years ago." Joji wanted them to see the connection.

   "I have to admit my brother is right Dink.  In many ways I am finding
out Japan has not changed much even today." Hideki came over and hugged
Dink.

   "Hideki this is your half brother Joji.  We just got home and have not
even had time to relax any.  So lunch was ready when we arrived.  Please
have a seat and eat some with us."

   Hideki sat down and looked at Joji.  "Brother I am sure you have
feelings that are not good ones for me.  I did not know of our relationship
at all.  Mother said you were a distant relative, which is just one more
lie she told me.  I am finding our mother to be a liar, devious and someone
that I should have feared.  The lady used everyone she could to get what
she wanted.  I read Dink's and your report and she was every bit the type
you will be fighting."

   "I saw her may be a half dozens times.  She used me to get what she
wanted from the man I now know now was my father.  He was a politician of
some kind in Chicago.  The hate I had caused me never to marry or even want
to do that.  Until I met Dink I was sure all females were like mother.  She
has given me a different outlook now.  One I think is more healthy and fits
the world better."

   Hideki saw how badly wounded his brother had been.  "Joji please don't
close me out of your life.  We still share a blood bond and one I would
like to build on.  I will not push you, as I have no right to do that.  My
father was a thief, liar and was killed trying to escape Japan before being
punished.  Him and mother were both well fitted together.  I just hope I
can escape their influence."

   Joji had no idea what to say to his brother.  If they could get to know
one another they might one day become friends.  The man was no pushy
Japanese like the ones he left behind.

   "Hideki you're always welcome here and I will be glad if you stop by to
discuss our plans.  We need input and people who see just what we will be
fighting.  The history you have and your understanding of the warrior ways
would be of help." Dink made sure this was stated openly.

   "I would be happy to help any place I can Dink.  But understand my
opinion is just that an opinion and not to be confused with good
information.  The warlords you will be facing and fighting will do things
differently.  The Daimyos will not be the same as in old Japan.  Their
world has never changed much over the last ten thousand years.  Now your
forcing that change quickly and they will fight it to their last soldier."

   "That view Hideki I have never looked at before.  It is one more event
we need to expect.  This for being as far back in history as it is, is
complex.  They can afford to lose thousands and we don't want to lose one.
The two different philosophies just are not able to be adjusted to each
other." Now Dink had some things to think about.

   "I think it will present a difficult problem for you to deal with.  They
have no mercy and relish the idea of killing their enemy.  Matter of fact
they don't know what the word mercy means, it just does not exist in their
language?"

   Joji had not picked up on that either.  "I knew it did not exist in the
old Japanese language.  But it also does not exist in these peoples?"

   "They are where we were spawn from Joji.  Much of Japan and its people
came from this dimension.  I have been studying this for some time now. 
Millions of years ago the Japans home islands were actually here where we
are now.  Over time they drifted to where they are located today.  Our
islands are drifting and someday we will be out of the gate area.  Right
now the gate is at sea and about thirty miles from the closes island to it.
Once there is a few hundred miles then it will be hard to find our
islands."

   Now some things were making sense to him.  "Why are you studying the old
world and the gate?"

   "Here I run the school for Japans children of the ruling class.  The
more I watch them the more I know they do not fit into this world.  Where
we were taught respect, honor and to care for others, in school they are
not taught this in Japan.  They are taught to win in school grades and
events, that is critical to success.  These are not real children as they
are tools to their parents."

   "That reminds me of mother.  She did not see me often, but she did have
me spanked for not doing better all the time.  I used to hate report card
times." Joji let his feelings show now and that was not normal for him at
all.

   "This is being slowly reversed with the children I now have.  It will be
a slow change, but the change will happen.  The Emperor is a weak man and
will not step in here as John sees this as right.  Japan must come into
this dimension and live as we all do today.  They are not better than
others and must learn that starting with the youth."

   "It sounds like John is doing some teaching as well?"

   Hideki laughed now.  "Yes brother he has gotten his point across.  I
don't know if you saw Dana and I when we landed at Tokyo airport to see the
Emperor.  But Dana is John's wife and she did the fighting.  I was the
stage dummy standing behind her acting out a part.  That was the start of
change for Japan."

   Joji remembered it well and wondered who the man was.  "You looked very
much like any Daimyo from the old stories.  That was also the way it was
explained to the people.  They said Japan had lost its honor and this group
would rebuild it once more.  I have produced several different television
programs to be used in Japan to change the views.  A few I know have been
played other have not yet."

   "I have seen them and they do work.  But I had no idea it was you doing
these.  You are seen at a very high standing in Japan.  Someone who
understands change and what is needed for Japan to survive, grow and
prosper."

   "Starting small businesses had helped many to improve their incomes. 
The large business that ran government did all they could to stop this. 
Patents are being check and given to the person or persons who created
them. Most large companies just took them if the person worked for them. 
But the same group has run government for years now.  They were powerful
even before the military took over from them.  But they did support the
military as it made them money."

   "You sound like your not really Japanese?"

   "I am not Japanese I am an islander and will always be.  John and these
islands have my complete loyalty.  We were both born in America and
educated there as well.  So we don't fit into the social structure of Japan
at all Joji.  That the old school was here made it work for me to run it.
But the school was run by people from the other dimension before.  That
kept their ideas and beliefs in the imperial line and stopped changes."

   The firmness Joji had seen and heard made him like this man.  "Then in
that we are in agreement.  As I told John I am a citizen of these islands
and that will not change.  But I owe Dink for that honor."

   Hideki looked at Dink questioning this?  "I took to Joji and helped him
slide through as he was not married and had no family.  The rule was
married only you know.  I just advised he came or I rejected my position.
What he offered me in knowledge was just too much to let go.  The decision
was I would make all decisions on who was taken period."

   "There are always exceptions to every rule and that is John's comment
Dink.  So you make the right exception for your project.  Now I have 186
children to get back to overseeing.  Brother if you would like to see
complete chaos come by the school one day.  But only if you have a strong
ability to fight off girls.  They are all looking for husbands." Hideki
left the patio and headed back to the school.

   "That is not the brother I knew before Dink?"

   "That is the Hideki I know and have known since he came here.  Dana sees
him as a brother figure and he sees her as a sister he never had.  But he
did not know you were his brother either.  So I am sure this day was a
shock for him."

   "I am going to have to think through the whole thing now.  Much has
changed and I am not sure how I should handle it?  If you don't mind I
would love to hit the hot tub for a time and think things out?"

   "Enjoy it a I need to bring Debbie and William into the picture.  It is
old data to you and would be a waste of time.  So go ahead and relax some.
Try to think how we can keep people alive at night during attacks we can't
see?"

   "There is no attack we will not see Dink.  I have ways to set up
protective areas around every encampment.  William knows the game and we
will win it.  Much of what we do will seem like magic to the people we are
fighting.  That causes fear and that is a major weapon for us."

   "He is right and we can cause them to be scared of us.  In this we need
to take our time and work for good results." William and Joji were of the
same mind on this.

   The day went well and that night Joji got the best nights sleep he had
enjoyed in years.  This move to the islands was a good one for him and he
knew he had been lucky.  Without Dink's help he would have been left in
Japan, where he was not wanted.  He showered that morning and dress in his
field gear.  His plan was to go check on the troops and assure they were
starting training.  Placing the gold eagles on his shirt was very different
for him.

   When he got out to breakfast he saw Dink had been thinking the same way.
"Well boss we seem to have the same direction today.  I just knew if I did
not go check on the training things would not happen today."

   "Yep we were both thinking the same thing.  So sit and eat and we will
get out there."

   Driving onto the base they saw no guards and did not like the lax
attitude they saw right now.  Dink called the General and just had to ask.
"Now why is my base completely unguarded and open for anyone to drive on?"

   "Damn Dink I figured you would handle your own installation."

   "You do remember these troops are from Japan right?  We have had lots of
people from the other dimension we have picked up here right?  They have
been directing and feeding information to the people from Japan for
thousands of yeas right?  So why the hell would I allow them to stand guard
here?"

   General Zane started to laugh now.  "Damn Dink you learn fast girl.  We
have watched the camp all night and picked up a few trying to get in.  You
have no added guests today.  I'll send native scouts to guard and patrol
the base.  But we will keep watching for people trying to contact your
troops.  Your a nice draw for those we have not yet caught."

   "Thanks as I just freaked out with no one on the gates.  You know me I
like things done right and not like I saw today.  You got no more by
leaving the guards off the gates."

   "True but I did get the call from you.  So it was worth it to me.  Have
a good one Dink." The general just hung up.

   The base was well awake and active.  You could see troops had been at it
for some time now.  People were pulled into classrooms and sat in front of
TV's.

   Dink now had the podium and would speak to them all.  "People we were
attempted to be contacted by agents of the other dimension last night. 
General Zane picked up several agents trying to come in here.  They feel
that their idea of being Japanese is the only way it should be.  They have
advised Japan of their ideas on proper treatment of outsiders.  It has been
the rules of Japan they have controlled for thousands of years.  Now they
wish to control you before you even get to their dimension.  The leaders
know when we get there change is going to happen unless they can stop it
here.  They exported their hate to our world and don't want tolerance sent
back to them.  This fight is going to be between two cultures that will
never fit together.  To them their way is the only way.  It is either their
way or your death they seek.  So make up your mind where you stand and let
your officers know if you stand with our enemy?  You will be sent back to
Japan on the next boat."

   That little bit of information sunk in fast.  With the strong US born
group the mood switched fast to being islanders.

   "Now we need your help if any tries to discuss becoming an informant for
the other side.  Passing on information or helping them in any way is
treason and is punishable by death.  Security will carryout those
executions with pride, as those people would sell you to our enemy.  We
will protect you the very best way we can.  Now be sure to turn in anyone
questionable for investigation, with DNA we will know if they are or are
not from the other dimension.  So those who came here from Japan have
already been checked.  Thank you and please complete your training here
safely."

   Joji had been worried at first that many who just did not like someone
would turn them in.  But the DNA trick would stop that fast.  "How many did
you find from Japan that were rejected for the DNA?"

   "We did not reject them Joji we arrested them.  Leaving them in Japan to
cause trouble just was not a good idea.  They did not know the DNA would
show us who they were.  John has all employees for his businesses checked,
to assure no one is working to cause failure.  Everyone in Japan knows who
owns those businesses, so he expects attacks there."

   "But next week we will start this little journey and see what wait us. I
am sure none of us has seen anything like what will be there.  No matter
how well we train Dink, it is going to be different there than we expected.
Much of the information we have been given I am sure is wrong.  They would
know we would question people.  So how much truth would you send your
enemy?"

   Dink could see and accept Joji's description.  He, she was sure saw
where her real problems would come from.  So planning and training too much
here, just would make things happen that should not have."