The Coordinator's face lit with fervor as he spoke. Theodore considered what he saw. Once he would have feared the threat, the hint of madness it contained. Now he only feared the results. His father cared deeply for the realm, but Takashi had let his own concerns blind him to its needs. Takashi had forfeited his right to rule. This was no time for weakness.
"You will do what is required of you as Coordinator," Theodore said. His voice was mild, but iron conviction underlay his words. "You will serve the realm as its figurehead while I attend to its health and well being. Mineis the vision that will see us through the future. Mineis the hand that will guide the realm. We mustn't fight and destroy the Combine between us. If you oppose me, I will have you sequestered."
Takashi's eyes narrowed.
"Then I shall not oppose you," he whispered rancorously. "In the open. We shall have our fights, boy. Do not doubt it. But you are right in one thing. We must attend to appearances. We must show the people, and our enemies—most especially our enemies—that we stand together, the head and the arm of the Dragon."
Even as the Coordinator held out his hands in a gesture of reconciliation, Theodore recognized that Takashi was taking the first step in his avowed plan to regain power. Takashi offered the illusion of-accommodation, the appearance of conciliation. There would be no visible signs of dissent or weakness that their enemies might take as an invitation to try again. They would give the impression of strength and harmony to the outside, while remaining opposed.
Theodore embraced his father.
"The Draconis Combine is more important than either of us."
"Hai,my son. We agree on that. You have taken your first step in understanding what is required of you. Your first step in understanding me."
Not my first step,Theodore thought ruefully. I understand you better than you know, Takashi, my father. I have, to my sorrow, become too much like you. In deed. In outlook. I wish it were not so, but it is. All that I thought made me different from you, better than you, has blown away on the breath of the Dragon.
Are you so sure?a soft voice whispered in Theodore's head.
Tetsuhara-sensei! ?
Your feelings are strong. That is good.Ninjo andgiri must be balanced. They are a circle, the yin and the yang. If one is too strong, the balance is broken. You must strive to maintain the balance.
I have striven, sensei. I've failed.
A man cannot be said to have failed until after he is dead. As long as there is life, there is hope. Are you such a coward that you have abandoned hope?
I'm no coward, sensei.
Exactly. You are not your father. If you remember this, you will prosper. I will remember.
When you go forth into the world, you must be your own man. You cannot live another man's dreams, nor be that which you are not. All that you do will be you, and you will be all that you do. You are your own karma.
Theodore started. Those were the exact words Tetsuhara- senseihad used when they had parted on the occasion of Theodore's departure for Sun Zhang Academy. On reflection, he realized that all of the sensei'swords were things that he had said to Theodore at different times and in different places. The conversation was a construct of Theodore's mind. But artificial or not, he recognized the timely wisdom of the sensei'scounsel.
The Dragon possesses five virtues,he reminded himself. Bravery, audacity, and tenacity are but three. Even my father grants me those. The fourth is integrity, the one I had come close to abandoning. I must not allow myself to be so weak.
Perhaps, this is the beginning of the fifth virtue, wisdom. If so, then I am the true heir to the Dragon.
Glossary
Throughout this book, Kurita officers and other officials are referred to by their ancient Japanese rank names or titles. The equivalents in English are:
Tai-shu Warlord or General of the Army
Tai-sho General
Sho-sho Brigadier
Tai-sa Colonel
Chu-sa Lieutenant Colonel
Sho-sa Major
Tai-i Captain
Chu-i Lieutenant
Buso-senshi Mech Warrior or AeroSpace Pilot
Kanrei Deputy
Jokan Noble Lady
Shudocho Abbot, Master of an order
Jukurensha Adept
Shoshinsha Novice
Sensei Master Teacher
Some other Japanese phrases that appear in this book and their translations:
Baka Fool
Dekashita Nice going!
Do Kendo term: body armor covering abdominal area
Do itashi moshite You're welcome
Domo arigato Thank you very much
Gempuku Rite of passage upon reaching manhood
Giri Duty, obligation, justice
Hai Yes
Hakama Skirt-like male garment worn by samurai over kimono on ceremonial occasions
Hara Belly
Iie No