Richard sat down in the Drey office.
His leg cross and a glass of wine in his hand
"How does it turn out? As I said we wouldn't lose"
Drey walked towards him.
"There is a defector in battalion no 3 who almost managed to send a telegram to the Military Governor's office. Thankfully, the battalion commander found out in time. Otherwise, there would be unthinkable consequences"
"The los Angeles bond is for those who can conquer it, so, even the lord in heaven was helping us" Richard said
"Well, how dare you take such a big risk? Do you have nothing to fear?" Drey asked as he sat down on the table.
"Do you know how long I've been waiting for this day? I've been preparing for ten whole years" Richard said as he took a bottle of wine and poured it on the two glasses on the table.
He gave one to Drey.
"My men of the Richard army can finally find a place to settle down".
Drey collected the glass of wine and stood up from the table.
Richard took his own, "for tonight victory cheers" They clicked the glass and drank the wine.
"Albert Latino is now attending a ball at the Lincoln mansion to raise money for his five province coalition force. He will never expect that Los Angeles is about to have a new ruler" Drey flattered him.
They dropped the glass.
"Let's go, let's also do the honor" Richard said
They walked out of the office together.
….
In the Lincoln residence Hall.
Lincoln stood in front of the guests and started his speech.
"Under Military Governor Latino's protection. Los Angeles has become a safe place for us to do business at ease. I suggest, we propose a toast to Military Governor Latino on behalf of the Los Angeles business community"
"Okay. Alright" Military Governor Latino toast to the people beside him.
The Military Governor stepped forward after drinking his wine.
Lincoln walked down and stood with the crowd.
"Ladies and Gentlemen. What Mr Lincoln said is not exactly the case, Actually it is me who can't do without the support from the Los Angeles business community. I came today first to show my appreciation for your great kindness to me, second, Mr Lincoln and I have been supporting each other for more than one decade and have a deep bond of friendship, now both our children have come of age. I hope this bond can continue in the younger generation. I'll empty my glass first to show respect"
"Cheers, cheers" The military Governor raised his wine towards the guest and downed his wine.
The guest clapped.
"I hereby declare, the ball tonight started, Next please give the dance floor to the adorable couple"
"Marshal Bremo and Miss Runa"
The music started.
Runa stared at Bremo with expectations, her face flushed as she looked at him shyly.
The guest gave way for them to dance.
"Bravo"
"They look perfect together"
"True, perfect match indeed"
"A pair made for each other"
Runa blushed the most when she heard the people's praises.
Bremo stood there and just stared.
His friends nudge him since all attention is on him.
But he just stood there like he was waiting for something not to be precisely someone.
He suddenly stared at the staircase as Arci walked down the stairs, Bremo looked on like he was entranced by her appearance.
He snapped out of his daze when Arci suddenly stopped walking. He walked towards her step by step, his eyes on her without looking away.
When he got to where Arci was. He stretched his hand inviting her for a dance.
Runa clenched her fist tightly when she saw this.
"You should invite Runa, not me," Arci said as she saw Dawn's livid expression.
"It'll be convenient to talk like this," Bremo replied.
"But I'm not very good at it," Arci said nervously.
"It's Okay. I'll guide you" He replied, his hand still stretched.
Arci sighed and put her hand in his accepting his invitation.
They walked down step by step to the dance floor.
People unconsciously make way for them.
Runa was annoyed and was about to follow them, when her mother dragged her back.
"Mom…"
"Don't throw a tantrum in the presence of the guests," Dawn warned her.
"But I'm obviously the one who should be dancing not that slut"
"Knock it off," Dawn replied.
She could only keep her anger to herself when her mother stopped paying attention to her.
They started dancing, and people were overwhelmed with how beautiful they were.
"What is in there?" Bremo whispered in her ear.
"A deployment map of Los Angeles" Arci replied.
"A deployment map? Are you sure?" Bremo asked as he held her waist.
"Yes, I am. I mirrored Architecture when I was in Japan. There are hypsographic marks in it and also military identification marks of the areas surrounding Los Angeles"
"There is also a detailed record of the width of the bridges and road. It is obviously a military map, But what makes it different from an ordinary military Map is that each identification mark is followed by a number of garrison troops and some arrows which I guess are directions of the attack…."
"Oh no" Bremo interrupted her.
"Have you got an idea of who that man is?" Arci asked.
"My mother's ashes are in my suitcase"
"I promise you. I'll definitely get your mother's ashes. Just a moment" Bremo promised her.
She nodded and they stopped dancing, Bremo walked away immediately.
…..
The Military Governor furrowed his brow when he saw his son dancing with another girl instead of his fiancée.He could only ask Lincoln who she was."Mr Lincoln, this young lady is?""She is me and my late wife's daughter, Arci, she just returned from Japan" Lincoln replied."She's grown into an adult. Were it not for Military Governor Lee…""It is my honor to have two military governors visit my humble abode. During your visit we had better drop the subject of war" Lincoln interrupted him"Mr Lincoln, Latino, well, what is your take on setting up a five-Province coalition force to resist American aggression?"Military General Pepe askedLincoln smiled."You are talking about military affairs which are beyond my ken. I'll go and greet the other guests for now" He said and walked awayLincoln walked away leaving both Military Governors."Mr Lincoln, left before we broach the subject, He is well aware that we'll need his help with the military expenses. His attitude clearly shows he does
"Drey," Richard called out.Drey walked into the hall with dozens of soldiers holding guns behind him.The hall turned into uproar as everyone shifted back to avoid colliding with the soldiers. The military Governor Albert's guards also came out, but they were little. They are just five, they came unprepared because they didn't know this would happen."Drey," Military Governor Albert said in a grave voice."I'm sorry military Governor Albert, now the Los Angeles command of defense only takes orders from Marshal Richard" Drey replied."Good, good" Albert clapped his hand."Richard Bush, you are playing dirty tricks on me. Do you know you are a rebel now?" Military Governor Albert asked.Richard smiled, " The metropolis of Los Angeles is for those who can conquer it. You can take it, why can't I?""Brat, do you have the slightest sense of propriety and shame? The revolutionary army is coming on like gangbusters. As one of us, how could you turn against your fellows at a moment like this
Richard chuckled, "Scholars like you are very good at artful work indeed, But it doesn't work on me. It is either the same or choice as it was just now, other options are off the table" Arci saw that situation has come to a dead end, Even though she doesn't love Bremo as lover, he is still her childhood friend which she counts as her brother and besides her mother's funeral urn is still with the shameless man.She took out a gun and came out of her hiding place, she pointed a gun at his head.Richard glanced at her and was surprised."Arci" Lincoln stepped forward nervously.This girl is too bold."What do you want?" He glanced at her Richard."Let Marshal Bremo go or I will shoot you" Arci told Richard."Miss Arci, we've met again," Richard smiled."Enemies often cross each other's path" Arci replied coldly."We were together at the Far East Hotel as a couple this afternoon and yet you are holding me at gunpoint. This really makes me sad, ``he said pitifully."Don't talk nonsense, y
Richard opened the door and got in"Richard" Love said anxiously."Well… Richard" She was about to open the car door when Greg held her hand firmly.The driver started the car and drove away.She stomped her feet on the ground and glared at Greg before she walked into her school.……"Military Governor Albert, my daughter becomes a hostage in place of your son, If you don't publish an open telegram tomorrow morning. You won't get a penny of military expenses from me" Lincoln told the Military Governor.Military Governor Pepe, Military Governor Albert and Bremo and his two friends are in the Lincoln living room.Military Governor Albert exhaled."Mr Lincoln, what do you mean? Don't forget while you are doing such a big business in Los Angeles, if you don't have Military Governor Albert to back you up, if you don't have guns to protect you, even if you are filthy rich, you are just a fat lamb in the eyes of others'' Military Governor Pepe said."Then let me get it straight, If anything h
Arci stood up from the couch, "Don't use the goading strategy on me. I came back to Los Angeles just for my mother burial"Richard stood up from the table and turned his back against her."Others are like a sparrow turning into a phoenix, But you? You are like crestfallen Phoenix whose life is no better than that of a chicken, how are you going to live the rest of your life under other people's roof? Even I'm worried for you". Richard said as he face her back"I suggest you worry about yourselves instead, you will be in big trouble, if Military Governor Albert doesn't publish an open telegram". Arci said.He walked closer to her, she stiffened immediately, she didn't dare to move because once she moved their lips would meet."We used to be husband and wife, you can hardly fend for yourself and still worry about me?" Richard asked as he moved closer to her.She moved back and stared at him vigilantly.Drey walked into the office interrupting them."Marshal Richard, Bremo is here" He an
Richard opened the door and got in"Richard" Love said anxiously."Well… Richard" She was about to open the car door when Greg held her hand firmly.The driver started the car and drove away.She stomped her feet on the ground and glared at Greg before she walked into her school.……"Military Governor Albert, my daughter becomes a hostage in place of your son, If you don't publish an open telegram tomorrow morning. You won't get a penny of military expenses from me" Lincoln told the Military Governor.Military Governor Pepe, Military Governor Albert and Bremo and his two friends are in the Lincoln living room.Military Governor Albert exhaled."Mr Lincoln, what do you mean? Don't forget while you are doing such a big business in Los Angeles, if you don't have Military Governor Albert to back you up, if you don't have guns to protect you, even if you are filthy rich, you are just a fat lamb in the eyes of others'' Military Governor Pepe said."Then let me get it straight, If anything h
Arci stood up from the couch, "Don't use the goading strategy on me. I came back to Los Angeles just for my mother burial"Richard stood up from the table and turned his back against her."Others are like a sparrow turning into a phoenix, But you? You are like crestfallen Phoenix whose life is no better than that of a chicken, how are you going to live the rest of your life under other people's roof? Even I'm worried for you". Richard said as he face her back"I suggest you worry about yourselves instead, you will be in big trouble, if Military Governor Albert doesn't publish an open telegram". Arci said.He walked closer to her, she stiffened immediately, she didn't dare to move because once she moved their lips would meet."We used to be husband and wife, you can hardly fend for yourself and still worry about me?" Richard asked as he moved closer to her.She moved back and stared at him vigilantly.Drey walked into the office interrupting them."Marshal Richard, Bremo is here" He an
"This is simple, I can make arrangements for your soldiers to work in factories as long as they are willing to take off their uniform, hand over their weapons and become civilians, I promise that the military governor office will not give them a hard time" "Okay, but after I do as you guys say, how can you guarantee that your father won't break his promise and try to get rid of me?" Richard asked "But What can I do to make you trust us?" Bremo asked."Hmm" Richard put his hand on his chin as he pretended to think about it, he already laid a trap for them step by step without them realizing it."How about we do it? When your father recommends me, I want him to recommend you too as the supervisor of Los Angeles Defense Command as well. You will be based in Los Angeles and cooperate with me in the defense command of Los Angeles, what do you think?" He replied.Bremo smiled with eyes on, "Marshal Richard, you want to hold me hostage to guarantee your safety?" "Marshal Bremo, I take you