Once Zan acquiesced to his role as an independent commander, an idea he still couldn't grasp, the war meeting proceeded smoothly. It was as if the entire meeting depended on him saying 'yes' before Winters could get to the actual briefing.

What did the actual briefing entail? Only what Zan considered 'siege breaking' would be: there was an enemy surrounding a place, so they had to go and shatter that enemy. Winters explained his plan and how he intended to use Zan and friends as part of his infiltration team. The bulk of their forces would smash a hole through the enemy lines, infiltrate the villa, and withdraw the viceroy. With some luck, it would all go off without a hitch.

Luck. Zan thought morosely. Since when has luck ever been on our side?

A chime in Zan's ear at the meeting's end. "Screen Master? What is the matter?" Zan asked.

"Zan: I wanted to let you know of a function I will be executing on your behalf. During periods of time I can recognize as distinct strategy sessions, I will make note of the mission details, so you can access the information anytime you want on the battlefield through your headset."

Trying to think about what that could mean, Zan said, "So, that means... if part of the operation means me destroying a siege weapon, I will see that, somehow, as something I understand to be that objective? Am I making sense?"

"You are making sense, Zan. And yes, that is what I mean. I will attempt to render basic drawings of objectives for you on your map-in-miniature."

"Very wicked... thank you, Screen Master. With your help, it has never been easier to be a child soldier!"

Although Zan spoke deadpan, the Screen Master could only respond by giving the unwavering truth: "A correct observation, Zan. Unfortunately, sometimes the winds of fate plot alternative futures for us and we have little say in whether these winds are escapable."

"Thank you..." Zan said, ending the conversation.

Waiting for Zan outside, Jiehong waited for his friend underneath a cherry blossom tree.

"Is it chaos in that head of yours?" Jiehong asked, playfully.

"Oh, non-stop! Between you, the pings we get is we stumble across a lodestone, and now all this 'system' stuff," Zan said, tilting his fingers as air quotation marks, "not to mention my imperial contact, who can literally whisper into my ear anytime, boy, my noggin is always befuddled. Wonder I'm not a mad lad!" Zan replied, just as humorously.

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"Oh, Zan. You? A mad lad? Give me a rest!" Jiehong said, slapping his knee.

Then the mood shifted. The joviality of the previous moment faded into the ether.

"How do you feel about this?" Zan said.

Jiehong shrugged his shoulders. "I like our chances. I know better than to get complacent."

"We'll pull through. I just hope Colonel Winters has an important reason to listen to the request of a noble when these men could be sent to much more useful fronts. All this? For a single viceroy? I don't know if it is worth it."

"Of course it's worth it! Zan, why wouldn't it be worth it? These nobles represent the best of our country. They are the richest. They have the most influential economic ventures; and they also are at the forefront of every social and foreign issue through their libertine connections. Without nobles, we wouldn't have anything we have today, as we fight for our freedom," Jiehong rejoined.

"Wow... I really didn't think you were that conservative on issues," Zan said of his friend. "I knew you were a loyalist. That much I picked up from you in the last weeks, but do you really believe that? The whole thing about the Royals?"

"I might exaggerate at times, maybe. But mostly? I mean it, yeah. Is that problematic for you?"

"Not as long as you understand I have my own views on matters..." Zan said as an open-ended question.

"I will learn to respect your views," Jiehong said.

Zan wanted to say, 'that's not good enough.' He kept his mouth closed. He couldn't afford to alienate his friends and allies. But he knew, one day, he and Jiehong would have to settle out their differences. He will 'learn' to 'respect' his worldview? Zan knew that was more than many adults acted, but he had expected more from his best-friend, almost brother.

"Good...I am going to meditate by myself for a while, if that is fine with you," Zan said.

"Sounds good to me. I will be nearby," Jiehong said, thinking nothing of the request.

Friends, war, coming of age, building an Order. His life had it all.

Knowing he had the fight of his life ahead of him, Zan shut his eyes for some peace.

Letting his mind run, Zan thought of light and peace. Uplifting essences. Calm tsunamis.

When he opened his eyes, he was ready.

Zan was not the only person ready to face what lie ahead.

Far-away yet close by, imperial engineer first class Dawson Rictus stood standing, staring through their viewing-lens.

Lowing his binoculars, Rictus turned to his clients and said, "The battle is about to begin. We should keep our distance."

His clients burst -- into conversation. Rictus heard more words than he expected. Maybe it wasn't him, though? Maybe his clients, youthful as they are, realized things would be to their convenience if they used words their older advisers use?

"We should engage..." the leader said.

"...no host?" another voice said.

Rictus could not tell if the third had spoken. He heard indistinct mutterings, but nothing real.

"Limited..." One spoke. Another would finish with, "action." Limited action? Wondered Rictus.

More mutterings: one stomped their feet. Another spit. "We need to be direct. Take what's ours."

Silence.

The leader said, "Move out."