Samurai Trail

Posted on Sun Oct 30th, 2022 @ 6:24am by Lieutenant Commander Aurelia Taylor & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Holodeck 1
Timeline: After Heart to Heart
4084 words - 8.2 OF Standard Post Measure

ON

Lia stood with her Katana in hand, she knew that she needed to wear certain clothes to suit her surroundings. Those surroundings happened to be an ancient Japanese village, the sights and sound even the smell's told her senses that she wasn't on the Elysium. =/\="Lia to Gary, care to join me in Holodeck one? I have found a samurai Holonovel, and thought you might like to try it out?"=/\=

She moved into a doorway and spoke to the computer, "Computer, dress me as a Geisha. But include a kaiken knife, and traditional fan."

Gary heard Lia's message and he replied instantly. =^= Would love to join you. I will be there shortly. =^= A few minutes later, Gary entered the holodeck and saw Lia already dressed as a Geisha. He looked at the surroundings and nodded in approval. "Nice. Very nice. So, what is this holonovel about? You obviously are a Geisha."

"Not just a Geisha, a samurai Geisha. And I'm in need of a samurai companion, that's if you're up to it?" She brought up a synopsis of the plot, "Seems we have to find either the gold or the bad guy to win, but there is also a bunch of bad guys who intend to stop us." She flashed Gary a smile, "So, what do you think?"

Gary nodded with approval as Lia finished telling him the plot. I like it. A Samurai Geisha huh? And I'm your sidekick. Good deal. I guess I should get into the proper clothes. If you will do the honors, please Lia.''

Lia shook her head, "Not a sidekick, my equal. You'd be a Samurai, and in this era men are above women. But don't get any big ideas." She blew Gary a kiss and waited for his answer. "Computer, dress Commander Taylor as a Japanese Samurai. Complete with weapons and Armour."

An instant later Gary was dressed in the appropriate clothes of a samurai. Along with sword. He looked at himself. "Hmm. Not bad, not bad at all. What do you think Lia?"

"I think you look the part, but handling a Katana is very different from any other sword. Do you know how to fight with a Katana?" She pointed to his headdress, "You might want to remember your wearing that, because it comes off along with your footwear when you enter ANY building or house."

Gary gave her an exasperated look. "Geeses Lia. You're the expert on Japanese culture. How many times do you think I used a Katana out in Wyoming?" he shook his head, "I won't forget about my headwear or footwear."

"Sorry, I just thought you might have tried it one time. I can show you how to fight, but when push comes to shove how you handle that Katana will be up to you." She drew her own Katana, "Always make sure when you draw it you use your right hand. And place your right hand above your left once you have it facing your enemy, its your left hand that controls the Katana." She showed Gary what she meant by swinging her Katana up and down, "And you resheath it upside-down, run the back of the blade along your finger it'll help you look like you know what your doing." She again showed Gary by doing it herself, "Remember though, this blade is bloody sharp. It'll bite you if you make a mistake."

"Well, this works to my benefit then as I am left handed." He said with a smile. "No chance of me getting a Winchester carbine? I could really do damage with that Lia." He said teasingly. "Don't worry, I'll be careful, Don't want to be visiting Sickbay missing fingers.'

Lia crossed her arms, "A Winchester? Really? I'd say go for it, but in this story its gonna be close quarter combat. Somehow I don't really think a Winchester is gonna cut it, think about it. Cut it." She flashed him a wide smile before heading further into the village.

"I'd be the first long range Samurai," He told her before laughing. Straightening up, he looked at her. "Oh, the rapier wit of Lia Holmes strikes again. Get it? Rapier wit." He gave her an answering smile.

"Lia Holmes? Do you know something I don't?" She moved towards him her hand on the hilt of her Katana, "I hope that was a Freudian slip my husband, or my rapier wit will turn to my Katana wrath."

Gary grinned at her, "I know that I love you very much and that it was a Freudian slip for which I am very sorry for Lia. Please forgive me, I have no desire to incur your Katana wrath."

Giving Gary a quick kiss, Lia turned and walked forwards. "Your safe for now Gary Taylor, but be warned. I make for a lousy woman scorned." She giggled as she spoke, heading for a small shop nearby. She entered and the shopkeeper bowed, "Welcome to my shop, how may I be of assistance?" Lia looked and simply pointed at a large Sake jar, "I wish to buy this." The shopkeeper bowed and picked the jar up, "500 yen, if you please." Lia handed the money over and left the shop, she signaled Gary to join her. When he did she whispered to him, "The shopkeeper is one of the bad guys, no way should he have sold me this Sake. We should wait and follow him, ok?"

"Thank goodness and I am sorry Lia." Gary replied feeling terribly bad before turning to the matter at hand. "I think that is an excellent idea. We follow him to the gang's hideout and hopefully catch the bad guy and then we can go after the pot of gold." Gary's eyes went back to the shop. "How long do you think we'll need to wait before he makes his move to go to the main hideout?"

"Oh he's going to lead us to the guy who knows where the gold is, our problem will be getting to THAT guy. I think this so-called shopkeeper is the gang's lookout, he now knows I'm aware of his shady dealings. He's gonna be wanting some direction in handling me, that's where you come in. He hasn't seen you yet, so you can follow him easily." Lia pointed to another derelict hut, "We'll stay in here, I reckon he'll be out of there within the next 10 to 15 minuets."

Gary nodded as Lia spoke. "Be glad to follow him as to getting to THAT guy, I am confident we will, nothing we can't do when we work as a team." Gary looked at the hut. "Let's get over there and out of sight and wait for the shopkeeper to hit the trail, then we or I can follow him and you follow me."

"If he spots you, he may challenge you. Now you have two responses, 1) You fight him, and let nature and skill take its course. Or 2) You face him down by bluff and tell him you're looking for someone else." Lia kept a weather eye on the shop as she spoke, "Heads up Kuro, that's your name by the way, our spotter is on the move."

Gary listened intently as Lia spoke. "I would prefer to bluff him and let him to unwittingly lead us to THAT Guy." Gary stated. "I can always kill him later." He said with a shrug of his shoulders. "Kuro huh? Okay and what is your named my darling Geisha?"

Lia now blushed, "Fino, but if you don't like it we can change it." She pointed as the shopkeeper walked down a narrow path between the buildings, "You can't draw your Katana in that alleyway, so be aware of things like that, now get going before we loose him." She smiled as she gently push Gary in the same direction the shopkeeper went.

"Fino? he repeated. "Did you pick that name?" He asked as he began to move to follow the shopkeeper. "I won't pull my katana. I can strangle him, if I need to." He said half seriously. "Don't you lose me."

Lia nodded, "Yes, Fino was a Demon Lords Daughter. And in this, I get to be bad if I want to." She pointed again, "You follow him, I'll follow you. And there's no way I'll ever lose you, I love you too much."

"That's my girl. Bad to the bone." Gary stated. He began to move, came back and kissed Lia. "I love you too, now and forever.'' Then he was on his way, following the shopkeeper at a discrete distance.

Watching Gary disappear, Lia counted up to a hundred. *Ok time to move out* she thought. Reaching the alley, she watched Gary turn to the right and move out of sight. Now moving fast, Lia reached the corner to see Gary turn left. Moving as quickly as possible she now saw Gary stopped by another shop a short distance down the track. *I hope he's ready to fight, that looks like a drinking joint and they'll come at him fast*.

Gary had followed the shopkeeper through a series of turns before finally stopping outside what looked and sounded like a tavern that the shopkeeper had disappeared into. He didn't see Lia but he had no doubt she was following him. He looked back at the tavern and his decision made he stepped forward and pushed the doors open, like he owned the place.

*He's gone in, oh boy now he's on his own. I can't go in there!* she thought, Lia walked up the lane to almost opposite the bar doors. Suddenly a voice spoke to her, "Excuse me, can I buy some time with you in this establishment?" A tall man stood before her smiling, "I'm a stranger here, and need some company." Lia bowed, "I would be honoured, but I am not Oiran only a Geisha." The man bowed back and replied, "I do not wish for an Oiran, a Geisha is all I require." The pair now entered the bar.

Gary entered the tavern and looked around in disdain at its patrons. He had remembered to take off his headwear and shoes.

As she entered, Lia glanced at Gary standing in the center of the bar. Her gentleman friend now pointed to a alcove with a small table within, "My name is Yamada, I have traveled from Edo." Lia bowed back and introduced herself, "I am called Fino, my house is in Kyoto not far from here." Yamada watched Gary closely, "Is that person known to you? He seems to be watching us, I may have to say something to him very soon." Lia shook her head, "I don't think I know him. Perhaps he has been to our establishment at some time and remembers me." Yamada nodded, "I hope so, his presence offends me."

Standing at the bar, Gary ordered a Sake and watched the others, his eyes flittered over Lia and the man with her but made no sign of recognition. he wondered what would come next.

Lia had by now began to do her job of entertaining Yamada, she made small comments and hopefully amused him. But he seemed focused on Gary, slowly Lia realized that this was the lookout's boss. The problem now arose on how to alert Gary to that fact, she now got up and walked over to the bar and asked if they had any musicians in the bar. The barman smiled and pointed to three men sat at a table, Lia walked over and placed three coins on the table in front of them and spoke quietly.

Music now filled the air and Lia began dancing towards Yamada, her hands told the story of a man in trouble. And how he had to watch for the Lord of the bandits, who was after him to take his life. Lia hoped Gary understood the meaning of her dance, she could see that Yamada certainly did. And his face clouded over as he again looked straight at Gary, one could see him working out the connection between the pair. Lia finished her dance and walked back to Yamada, "What is he to you? Answer me, one can see a connection." Lia bowed, "He is nothing to me, as I have said. He maybe an old customer, nothing more."

Yamada shook his head, "Lies, one more such lie and I will take action." Lia now knew she had a problem, but only Gary could solve it. He had to challenge this guy, but more importantly he had to win for them to move along in this holonovel.

Gary watched Lia and Yamada, more importantly he watched as Yamada shook his head and raised his voice with Lia. Lia was in trouble, and he had to help her. He finished his drink and slammed it on the bar counter before he walked over to the table and Lia and Yamada. "You." He said to Yamada, "Why do you yell at this Geisha?"

Yamada now looked Gary up and down, "Who are you to talk to me in this fashion? I Yamada am not some peasant, now introduce yourself so I know who I am about to kill for insulting me." He moved past Gary and stood in the middle of the floor, *He's got the room to swing his Katana, Gary is at a disadvantage he hasn't got the same room* Lia thought. Yamada looked at Lia, "Fino! Move behind your master, I have no wish to harm a Geisha."

Gary sneered at Yamada, " Indeed, you are not a peasant you are a fool! I am Kuro. It is the last name you will ever know." Gary boasted as his eyes tracked Yamada and Lia as well. "When you are ready to die, we may begin." He said calmly.

Standing behind Yamada, Lia tried to signal Gary to move forward and get more space to swing his Katana. She so wanted to take his place, this Yamada knew how to handle the Katana. Simply by watching his actions, where he stood and how he stood showed his skill was above that of his opponent. In truth it was above even Lia's skill level, but Gary had never fought with a Katana and so sword fighting with this weapon wouldn't save his life.

"Kuro! Prepare to die, your head will be mine!" Yamada slowly drew his Katana, he held it before him and stood waiting. *Classic move, make your enemy attack so you can read him* Lia thought. She now moved between the men, "Lord Yamada, would the death of this fool prove anything? It is clear he is no Samurai, even I could beat him." She bowed after speaking, Yamada shook his head, "Fino, be he fool or not. He is a man, and a man must defend himself or die." He looked past Lia and straight at Gary, "Kuro! This woman has more courage than you, now draw your Katana and fight."

Gary caught Lia's signal and he moved forward and drew his Katana smoothly fluidly. "You talk too much. I'm sure even the gods themselves will grow weary of your constant babbling or is that how you propose to win by talking me to death?"" Gary replied insolently.

Lia now moved back towards the bar away from both men, she could see what Yamada was doing and hoped Gary would also see it. Gary needed to get Yamada to make the first move, insulting him wasn't the way to go. But just what would work, even Lia couldn't fathom that out.

Sliding his left foot sideways, Yamada inched towards Gary. Like a snake on the hunt, he was lining up to strike or have his target move so he would have a better killing stroke. "Come Kuro, show me your skill. Even a Geisha can best you, plead for your life and I may be merciful and kill you quickly."

Gary refused to be baited by Yamada, as he stood motionless and tracked him with his eyes. "The only one to plead will be you Yamada. For you are as weak and useless as a knife without a blade."

Gary's words stung Yamada; he now advanced a few feet towards Gary. "Kuro, why do you want to die? Is suicide so attractive to you?" He noted how Gary held his Katana, "You're unsure of your weapon, or should that be unsure of how you will handle your weapon." He now glanced back at Lia, "I will ask you once again Fino, what is this man to you? And do not lie, or I will be forced to kill you after I kill him."

Gary stepped closer to Yamada, not giving him room to swing. "You are a coward Yamada, you threaten a woman, a Geisha! You are below contempt." Gary's hand slipped to his Wakizashi as pressed close to Yamada. "It is you who will die."

Stepping back, Yamada now saw Gary drop his Katana and draw his Wakizashi. The move baffled him, and he raised his Katana to strike downward at Gary's head. But the ceiling now caught his Katana tip, throwing his aim off. It left him open and exposed his side wide open.

Gary didn't hesitate, he drew his Wakizashi and jammed it into Yamada's side. "Die, like the dog you are Yamada!" He hissed as he pushed the Wakizashi even deeper into Yamada's side.

As the blade hit vital organs, Yamada looked at Gary then Lia. "You knew, you knew he would do this to me. Kuro, you are either very brave or very foolish. But beware, my supporters will avenge my death." He then dropped to the floor and died, Lia knelt down and closed Yamada's eyes. "I think he was the big cheese we had to find but being this early in the story I'm kinda confused now. Unless once Yamada is gone another takes his place, which might cause us big problems."

Gary looked at the fallen Yamada. "I don't know. I know if he was the big cheese, we should have 'won' but perhaps there is another behind the scenes. In any event I don't think we should hang around here. I believe we have worn out our welcome. Let's get outside and some breathing room and see if we can figure out just what is going on." Gary suggested.

Looking around the small tavern Lia agreed with Gary, "I think you might be right, watch your back." She stood up and headed for the door, but then a small boy appeared and handed her a note. Reading it Lia now turned to Gary, "We have a problem Huston, it seems the brother of Yamada has learned about his demise. And has declared you dead, there's also a reward on your head. Samurai collect heads to show they've killed the enemy, so I'd be careful from now on."

Gary's face never changed from the neutral expression currently on it. He simply nodded as Lia told him what was on the note. "Sage advice Lia on being careful. That being said, what's our next step in this little story of yours?" He finished with a smile.

"Hey not my story, I just found it. We could just close the program right now if you want to, wouldn't want a Star Fleet Captain losing his head now, would we?" Lia giggled as she spoke, but just what would happen next did concern her more than a little. What she knew of traditional Japanese stories, this whole thing could end up with the death of Kuro. "The Japanese love to twist things back on themselves, this could be a story like that."

"So, what you are saying, is that you have no clue to how this story will progress or end and no we definitely don't want a Starfleet Captain to lose his head. However, that being said, I am curious to see how this story progresses at least for a little longer."

Lia looked daggers at Gary, "No I don't know how it's going to end, or what we're going to have to do next. But I do know we don't want to be hanging around here, Yamada's brother will have sent a few goons by now. One on one we might win, three or four. We lose."

"What's with the look Lia? Gary asked even as he took her by the arm and led her away from the tavern. "Say no more, let's put some distance between us and any who may want to do us harm."

She let Gary lead her away, it looked better that way. After a short distance she turned to Gary, "Karasuma is Yamada's brother, he has the reputation for being unreasonably cruel. He skins people alive just for fun, then if he likes you, he'll boil you just to finish the job." Lia looked around and then turned back to Gary, "From what I can now read from this synopsis, our mission has changed. We have to kill Karasuma, but he's surrounded by at least 50 Samurai at all times." She placed her hands on Garys chest, "Kuro might have to die to end this program, I really don't want to take that chance. Do you?"

"Charming fellow." Gary quipped and grew silent as Lia gave him more information on their adventure. "Kill Karasuma and he's surrounded by 50 Samurai. I take it there is no way to separated Karasuma from the Samurai that protect him. If there isn't then you are right Lia, I don't want to take that chance and lose my head in the process, though wouldn't the holodeck safety measures protect me from dying?"

Lia shook her head, "Normally they would, but it appears as Yamada died the safety measures got switched off. Whoever translated and then wrote this program has included a few traps, right now I think we can still get out. But if Karasuma's goons find us, the holodeck gets sealed. And for the record, Karasuma is never left alone." She turned and looked around again, checking for movement. "I think our best action right now is to get the hell out of the holodeck, close the program and then delete it. It's getting way too dangerous to continue, and we're not exactly Samurai trained."

Gary nodded as Lia gave her assessment of the current situation. "Well, that sucks but I'd rather for us be alive and well then seriously wounded or killed in a holodeck adventure." He sighed, "Well sweetie, it was fun while it lasted and I agree, we're not Samurai trained so let's get the hell out of Dodge and once out do what you suggest and delete this program.''

Lia now spoke louder, "Computer, arch!" The exit now appeared, and the pair headed for it. Then a voice shouted at them, "Prepare to die, the vengeance of Karasuma is to be vented upon you!!" Running forwards, Lia shouted." Freeze program!! Open holodeck doors!!" All movement stopped as Lia reached the open doors, she turned to Gary. "Move yer butt Captain, this bloody program just might override that last command. And I really don't wish to be a widow at this time."

"I hear you and I don't want you to be a widow Lia. We still have a lot of living to do, so let's get out of here." Gary replied as he joined Lia at the holodeck entrance.

Pushing Gary out of the holodeck, Lia followed hard on his heels. "Close holodeck doors, and delete current program completely." =/\="Confirm last command"=/\=, asked the computer. "Confirmed, delete program." repeated Lia. =/\="Program deleted"=/\= the computer stated. Turning to her husband, Lia hugged his neck. "Let's not do anything like that again, that was a little too close for comfort."

Gary hugged Lia tightly. "I agree. It was much too close for comfort. It was different though." He admitted. "Another Samurai adventure might be fun down the road as long we know all the details."

Smiling, Lia kissed Gary. "Next time, I'll find a story I know. But I still can't think why someone would write a program like that, I mean it could have killed someone." Taking her husband's hand, she headed back to the Tea House. "I think a nice quiet night in, might suit us better." She quipped.

Commander Lia Taylor
Chief Security Officer
USS Elysium

Captain Gary Taylor
Executive Officer
USS Elysium