Admiral Bieldeers scowled at the man standing across the desk from him.
“…and, so, Admiral, I am to provide you with direction.”
“Is your role entirely advisory, sir?”
“Please, Admiral. There is no reason to be discourteous. I do not intend to usurp your command. I am here to ensure that operations in the Far East meet with the Estates’ approval. My advice will help guarantee you return home a hero to the United Provinces.”
Bieldeers snarled silently.
“Very well. I am holding a Council of War in two hours on the
Louisa Hendrika. We would appreciate your presence and…guidance.”
The winter sun’s pale light made the marines’ black uniforms glow. The lions embroidered on orange epaulettes seemed to step out of the uniform. Fleisingen felt a twinge of pride, as the last of his soldiers formed up on the cobblestones. The commotion of the docks chattered behind him. Even foreign occupation could not diminish the harbor traffic. Past his detachment, the charred shell of his headquarters dominated the bleak Edo skyline. The young captain sighed heavily at the evidence of the Japanese counterstroke.
Fire and death had struck that night. Fleisingen had been sitting at his desk on the second floor, putting the finishing touches on his report to the Admiral. The sound of breaking glass from the first floor was quickly followed by explosions, as the oil-filled bottles violently ignited. By the time anyone could react, the flames were already out of control. Fleisingen escaped by jumping out his window, using a drainage channel to slow his descent. He was luckier than some. Four sailors had suffered broken bones, and another was badly burned.
Fleisingen stood quietly, as his soldiers looked expectantly at him. Despite his own anger at the casualties suffered in the attack, he understood why the Japanese were fighting back. Perhaps that was how his ancestors had behaved towards the Spanish? Fleisingen shook those unproductive thoughts from his head, and addressed his troops.
“Soldiers, I am as angered by this attack as you are. We will hunt down those responsible, and ensure justice is done. However, I will not condone indiscriminate slaughter of the city’s population, and neither will the Admiral. If you suspect a Japanese citizen of being involved in the insurgency, bring it to your sergeant’s attention.”
“Continue with your daily patrols, and do not let your guard down. When on patrol, always remain with another marine. Dismissed!”
The six Japanese men quietly approached their weapon. Without shouting out the gunnery commands like European crews, their black forms slipped in and out of the night preparing the battery to fire. The crank turned, depressing the black iron barrel. All motion ceased. One of the men lit a fuse, and held it over the gun.
"Remember honor."
The smoldering end dropped to the touch hole, and the world exploded into a cyclone of fire and smoke.
