> TOKYO, June, 1940
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> “THIS IT IS, Gentlemen. This is final. We can no longer stand still against hostilities of US government. They plan to take our oils away? Fine, we will take them back! The Empire of rising sun shall rise in the East! We shall free whole of our Asian brothers from oppressive rules of Capitalist!” Tojo’s words echoed throughout the hall of the imperial court. “We shall show the capitalists the wreath of the Empire! The sun will rise from the east, piercing all of darkness aside!!”
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> The air was thick with the scent of burning incense, swirling lazily around the towering pillars of the imperial court. Golden light streamed through the tall, narrow windows, illuminating the stone-faced generals and politicians, their eyes gleaming with newfound purpose. For a moment, there was silence. A moment later, a lone Japanese officer shouted, his hands raising high into the air.
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> “NIPON! BENZAI!!!”
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> The cry was quickly picked up by others and soon, the whole imperial court erupts into defiant shouts “NIPON BENZAI!! EMPEROR BENZAI!!”
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> Atop the upper floor of the imperial court, a man gazed the moment unfolding beneath his feet. The shouts and cheers of politicians and generals sent the chill down his spine. He had never seen the two fictions within the court so united before. A month ago, they were at each other’s throats. The U.S. decision to sanction Japan’s oil exports was the final nail in the coffin. For the first time in a decade, Japan had come together in face of common enemy. He sighed. He had always hoped for the Japanese people to be united. But this? This is not how he envisioned this unity. “Is this what it takes to be united? Is it the only way?” his mind lingered with thoughts.
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> “You wanted this”, a figure lurking in the shadow near him whispered. “Isn’t that right, Takashi?”
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> Takashi turns around to face her. Erika Guderian, the German diplomat in Japan and granddaughter of Heinz Guderian. She stood behind him, leaning by the wall, folding her arms. Her black Wehrmacht uniform shining under the dim light. “You always told me how you wanted Japanese to stop fighting among themselves. You have a debt on US now. They had singlehandedly unified the shattering Japan.”, she talks in low tone, not wanting to disrupt the celebrations down there. Takashi shakes his head. “You won’t never get this Erika. No one could. You have been staying in Tokyo for 2 years by now. So, let me ask you. Do you find any similarities between the Reich and the Empire?”
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> Erika paused as she sifted through memories of her two years in Japan, trying to piece together an answer. “Leaders? People? System? We are the basically the same, aren’t we Takashi?” Takashi gazed to the men still high with adrenaline below them. He could see some tears in their eyes. Tears of patriotism, nationalism, proud and power. The cheers still echoed through the great hall, showing no signs of silence. Takashi turns back to Erika. “You’re too naive my friend. Leader? My dad is merely a figure puppet, dancing along their strings. People? We had to force them to abandon the old ways of the ancestors in a brief time. They couldn’t adapt the change, Erika. The only similarity we have is that both our nations are boiling with extremism. Japan is a sinking, Erika. An outsider can’t never sympathize with us.
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> “Even if I were staying here for two years?”
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> "Even if you stayed here for ten,” Takashi muttered, his voice barely audible over the rising cheers below. Erika fell silent, sensing the weight of his words. The doubt etched in his face told her more than his words could. He had finally gotten the unity he desired—but not at all in the way he had envisioned." Takashi’s look falls on Tojo again. The man who was in charge of the most powerful army in Japanese history. The man who was pulling the strings. The man who is dragging his beloved country into the storms of global conflicts. “You may see this as the sign of defiance. I bet you were feeling nostalgia right Erika?”
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> Erika nodded. “General Tojo gives me the sense of the Fuhrer,” she confirmed. “I still remember the first time I see the Fuhrer. I was taken to one of his speeches by my grandfather. It was the same as now. He showed us how a defeated nation can rise from ashes. How we can stand proud once more. No wonder he and Mr. Tojo get along quite well.” Erika was never very good at these politics thing. Her interest lied in battlefield, just like her grandpa. For her, politics works as long as it brings people together and gives them hope and prosperities.
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> Takashi looked at the girl again. Her blue eyes shining in curiosity. “You will understand one day Erika. It’s not that simple. Maybe somethings are better left not understood huh?”
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> Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
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> “What do you mean?” Erika questioned. “Isn’t it good that our nations get along? And the world is about to burn Takashi. You can’t always hope for rainbows and sunny days. We must remain strong! Jeez, I can’t believe I’m lecturing the prince about this topic.”
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> “You’re wrong. It’s already burning. Oh, and pardon me. I haven’t sent my regards to you yet! Congratulation for your victory in France.” Erika’s face was brightened with proud. “Well, it was an easy victory. Now, no one can oppose the Reich on European continent. I’m sure the same will soon happen to Japan.”
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> Takashi laughed uncomfortably. “We will see Erika. We will see.”
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> White house, June, 1940
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> Frank glanced at the paper in his hand, then at President Howard, who sat slumped in his leather chair. Fatigue and stress etched deep lines into his face. “How do you think about it Frank?” he asked.
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> Frank’s eyes fell on the paper again. In them, the detailed plan to exterminate the growing Nationalist movement once and for all. The plan detailing to eliminate all of American People’s Party (APP) high ranking leaders. “Sir! This is…… what is this?” Frank had never felt so stressed and frightened during his years of service as a director of FBI. “I understand that my duty is to carry out orders without questioning but….”
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> “For a better course, Frank.” General Ethan Dawson, sitting across him spoke out. Ethan was a chief of US armed forces who was a great asset for Howard’s administration.
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> “Excuse me, sir? For a better course?” Franks asked, his mind racing and confused.
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> “Who do you think will win the coming elections Frank?” Howard questioned. “Democratic party or APP?”
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> “It’s not ours to deicide HOWARD!!”, Secretary of Defense Dorothy busted out. “We still have two years before election! Yes, they may have lots of supports right now! But it doesn’t mean that it will stay same for next year.”
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> “Her words sent a chill down Frank’s spine. He knows that her and president Howard were childhood friends. But he feels goosebumps when she called him by his name. “I’m with madam minister for this on Mr. president.” Frank spoke out his opinion. “I believe whether APP’s attentions are good or bad, it’s Americans ‘choice. It’s not ours to decide.”
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> Ethan seemed unsurprised to hear them. “I told you Mr. President. It won’t be that easy to agree.”
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> “I understand your opinions Dorothy, Frank. But I swore to defend our constitution. John Brown’s APP is threatening it. I am not asking you to accept this plan immediately,” president paused, gazing the people around him.” This is only a contingency plan. In case of APP’s victory in coming election, I want to use my remaining term to activate this plan.”
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> “Then what’s the difference between John and you? Answer me, Howard! Don’t you dare use democracy as a tool for your power.” Dorothy’s words hit all men in the room hard. Frank starts to understand why they called her the iron lady. Despite being in her 60s, she was still fierce and righteous as if she were in her good years.
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> “Dorothy, that’s enough. You’re addressing the President of the United States. “General Ethan warned her. In contrast to Dorothy, he remained unmoved and calm. “I understand your frustration! But you are not telling president in that manner. This is an important matter. We need you to maintain your cool.”
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> “Keep my cool!? Are you insane? This is not just mere important matter! What you are telling is to force claim the power! This had never happened in US before! Even during the civil war! You are threatening to turn our country UPSIDE DOWN!” Dorothy’s patience was running out. In her long term as Secretary of Defense, she had seen many things. But this is just pure outrageous. She had known Howard as a strong man with great sense of honor who wanted to maintain US’s position as a superpower. But the Howard in front of her was not the man she knew.
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> Frank knew he had to do something to ease the tension. “Madam,” he spoke, eying on the president who stayed silent, as if he was resigning himself to Dorothy. “President’s decision may seem irrelevant. But I believe, he intended for best of our country when making this plan. So, let’s wait and see how things played out for now.” Frank paused.
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> “I agree with Mr. Frank. But remember ladies and gentlemen. APP is not to be underestimated. It is not a mere political movement. I won’t stand dark clouds taking over our great nation like in Europe. So, I want you all to be prepared for whatever future may come in next years.” Ethan words carried the sense of unease and urgency.
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> “No, General. Whatever the result of the coming election is, we can’t change it. It’s the choice of Americans. And we will respect it.” Dorothy wouldn’t back down. She couldn’t allow Howard to descent to that path.
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> “Even if it means our nation will turn out like Germany?” Howard asked.
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> Dorothy didn’t answer. Silence ruled the room again. Her eyes fell on Frank. One of the youngest FBI directors in history. His curly black hair and light blue eyes were stark contrast to other three in the room. Yet, when the conflict blew, it would be them, the youngblood that will have to give their lives on the battlefield.
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> “Let’s just wait and see.” Frank broke the silence. “Time will speak for itself. But Mr. President, I believe in USA and American people.”
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> Ethan sighed, glancing out the window as the first light of dawn broke over the horizon. Another day had begun, but the weight of what was to come still lingered in the air.