[USS Charon, Eris Deck]
Towards the end of the late shifts the mess was normally sparse. Today was no different; Shiarrael was among only a handful of people occupying the mess. Several engineering officers were huddled together on the far side apparently going over notes. She noted their activity with slight amusement as she sipped her mug of raktajino and worked on a PADD. Otherwise the entire area was empty. Holographic wait staff periodically checked up on her volume of the sinister Klingon liquid but she preferred only one serving. It was enough to keep her sharp but not enough to make her restless. Although the thought of Aiden's impending arrival was more than enough to give her a feeling of restlessness.
"Captain."
Shiarrael broke her gaze from the PADD and turned her head back to see her yeoman standing next to her "what is it Ensign?"
"I thought you would like to know. We just got a huge data burst from the Guardian."
"Data for the Vulcan science council?" Shiarrael asked.
"No, it was a personal transmission from Captain Bravado to you sir. It appears to be a holographic program. It has been downloaded and loaded into the computer."
"A program?" Shiarrael's curiosity was piqued. What kind of program would Aiden send to her? Something raunchy perhaps- it seemed to be in his nature.
"Yes sir."
"What kind?"
"I don't know sir; it was marked as 'Christmas present.'"
Christmas? Ah yes, the terran holiday. Strange thing it was to worship a tree decorated in ornaments and lights. But who was she to question such things? "I see." Shiarrael glanced at her chrono and then looked at the yeoman "thank you ensign." She stood up. "I will visit the holodeck and see about this 'Christmas present.'"
[USS Charon, Holodeck]
Still two hours before her shift Shiarrael had plenty of time to investigate this new program and see if it was worth her time. The entire year she had been aboard the Charon she had used very little of her holodeck time. There was little in the human culture that appealed to her. Holo-novels tended to be boorish and overly dramatic. Other programs were stimulated yet artificial. The most she used it for was taking her children to her world- one which they may never see firsthand.
It was a surprise when she arrived to find the holodeck registry empty for the next two hours. Ever since Itsak ruled that no Charon crewmembers were to leave the ship the crew eased their fever by feverishly using what holodeck time they could. Shiarrael casually scrolled through her short list easily finding the program labeled simply as 'to shi from aiden' she chuckled at the ridiculous name and activated. Walking in she expected to find herself on a Risan beach amidst a crowd of half naked people but instead she was in the middle of a green field. Mountains dominated the background reaching up into wide clouds. She studied the scenery curiously- the breeze was cool and reminded her of home. From behind her she heard a voice "welcome to Shogunate, the award winning holo-strategy game. I am James Clavell, your guide."
Shiarrael turned around and studied the man. He was tall with light blonde hair, aged, perhaps upper middle age for a terran. Thin wrinkles coursed through his warm face splintering at the edges of his lips like the tributaries of a river. He wore a long black overcoat and smiled at her "welcome to the tutorial stage, please choose your era and provincial affiliation."
"I do not understand." Shiarrael said "I am not familiar with terran history."
Clavell nodded and beneath them the grass dissipated revealing a holographic ocean. It was shallow and tiny waves crashed into her boots. He pointed to a landmass; it appeared to be an island chain "this is the ancient nation of Japan. The home of a feudal government of powerful warlords called 'Daimyo' all which are vying to obtain the title of Shogun- the ultimate warlord and military dictator. With their armies of Samurai they will vie for power and the emperor's approval, through military might, and the strict code of Bushido. To the victor goes the title of Shogun."
"Samurai" the world was familiar to her "what is bushido?" Shiarrael asked walking up and onto the island. Like a massive giant she walked over the geographic features studying each one in great detail. The land was rugged and different- valleys, mountains, beaches, fields, all of which occupied a small area that encompassed this island nation.
"Bushido, meaning 'Way of the Warrior', is a Japanese code of conduct and a way of the samurai life, loosely analogous to the concept of chivalry. It originates from the samurai moral code and stresses frugality, loyalty, martial arts mastery, and honor unto death. Born of two main influences, the violent existence of the samurai was tempered by the wisdom and serenity of Japanese Shinto Buddhism. Bushidō developed between the 9th and 12th centuries and numerous translated documents dating from the 12th to 16th centuries demonstrate its wide influence across the whole of Japan.
According to the Japanese dictionary Shogakukan Kokugo Daijiten, 'Bushidō is defined as a unique philosophy (ronri) that spread through the warrior class from the Muromachi (chusei) period." In Bushidō: The Soul of Japan, author Nitobe Inazō wrote: '...Bushidō, then, is the code of moral principles which the samurai were required or instructed to observe... More frequently it is a code unuttered and unwritten... It was an organic growth of decades and centuries of military career.'"
The description was familiar but not only because she had heard the term once but because it slightly resembled her own peoples' code of honor. She smiled slightly; perhaps Aiden wasn't entirely the fool she took him for. Of course she loved the fool- but now she loved him slightly more. Her boots crushed a mountainside and dug into the dirt. She studied the landscape and then pointed at one area "how about this province, along the shore's edge?"
"That is Totomi." Clavell said and pointed at it. The landscape swirled around them until they were standing in front of a large fortress- its tall walls white as the finest ivory. "Hamamatsu Castle home of the Totomi Daimyo- you will begin as lord of Totomi."
Clavell smiled and then disappeared. Darkness encompassed the holodeck and then finally the darkness gave way to moonlit dimness. Shiarrael could hear the crackle of a soft fire in the distance- the walls were unusually thin and the doors appeared to be made of papers. Strange- her eyes keenly studied the surroundings and the eerie stillness. The shrew creak of a wood board caught her attention. She stiffened and looked around. From the paper thin wall she could see the shadowy silhouette of a figure moving slowly. Her eyes narrowed and she kneeled down almost instinctively. As her hands touched the floor she felt two objects; wrapping her fingers around the cold round things she quickly realized what they were. Swords! And not any blades- when she unsheathed them they resembled Kaleh albeit smaller in size and shape.
[to be continued]
Captain Shiarrael Rehu
Commanding Officer
USS Charon
