Hibiya Store, Tokyo

April 2, 2028, 12:07

The parking lot hummed with the quiet buzz of conversation and the distant rumble of engines as Itami and the rest waited by the bus. Inside, Rory, Tuka, and Lelei sat chatting about the clothes they'd bought for Tuka, their voices lively and excited. Further back, Princess Pina and Bozes engaged in their own discussion, marveling at the quality of the garments sold at the store.

Outside, Itami stood with his hands in his pockets, scanning the lot with a mix of impatience and concern. His watch caught the light as he glanced down at it.

"They do realize the conference starts at 12:45, right?" he muttered, voice edged with frustration.

Caldwell, already holding a cigarette, lit it with a flick of his lighter. He took a long drag, then exhaled slowly, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Relax, they'll be here," he said in his gravelly voice, calm despite the tension.

Tomita's eyes narrowed as he spotted two figures approaching from the far side. His hand shot up, waving.

"Over there!" he called out, pointing.

Itami let out a sigh of relief. "Finally... wait." His eyes squinted, focusing on Adam and Kuribayashi. A smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Are they—"

He blinked, noticing their hands still intertwined as they walked toward the group. His grin widened.

Adam and Kuribayashi strolled over, the warm breeze ruffling their clothes. They didn't seem to notice the extra attention as they kept their hands linked.

"Sorry we're late," Adam said, his voice tired but apologetic.

Itami raised an eyebrow and gestured to their joined hands. "First off..." he began, his grin growing. "Was it a meeting or a date?"

Kuribayashi's eyes went wide. Instinctively, she pulled her hand away from Adam's, her face flushing a bright red.

"Don't start," Adam muttered, his expression annoyed.

Before Itami could say anything more, Yanagida approached, cutting through the teasing with a sharp look. "Your sister—what did she say?"

Adam's face hardened slightly. "Russians and Chinese are both here. Russians want to kidnap the princess. The Chinese... still a mystery," he said, his tone steady but with an edge of tension.

Caldwell flicked the cigarette to the ground and ground it under his boot. He raised an eyebrow. "Well... looks like this won't be a standard protection gig."

Adam rubbed the back of his neck with a sigh. "Maya says she's got it under control."

Caldwell shot him a doubtful look. "That's not exactly reassuring."

Itami, still grinning from the earlier exchange, raised an eyebrow. "Maya? That's your sister's name?"

Adam glanced at him with a dry look. "Yup. What did you expect her name was?"

Itami shrugged. "I don't know, I figured you'd give me her codename or something. I thought all CIA agents had one."

Adam shook his head, his tone deadpan. "First off, it's not 'agent,' it's 'officer.' Intel officer, to be exact. And why would I give you her codename? She doesn't have one... at least, not that I know of."

Itami leaned forward, intrigued. "So, she does have a codename?"

Adam raised an eyebrow. "Why are you suddenly so interested in my sister?"

Kuribayashi leaned in. "It's probably because of some manga, isn't it?"

Itami flushed, caught off guard. "No... Maybe."

Yanagida cut through the banter, his tone sharper. "Anyway, how does she plan to 'keep it under control'?"

Adam shrugged. "She's going to confront the Russians."

Itami, Yanagida, and Tomita froze, their expressions shifting from confusion to disbelief.

Tomita blinked. "...Confront?"

Yanagida frowned, his tone sharp."What exactly do you mean by 'confronting the Russians'?"

Adam let out a slow breath. "She plans to meet them directly and de-escalate, or so she says... or that's what I assume she's going to do."

Caldwell groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Jesus Christ. Does she think this is the Middle East? Who's her boss?"

"Laswell," Adam replied flatly. "She's keeping her on a tight leash, at least that's what I hope she's going to do"

Itami raised an eyebrow. "Leash? What is she, some kind of attack dog?"

Caldwell and Adam exchanged a glance, their silence speaking volumes.

"Oh..." Itami murmured, the realization dawning on him.

Caldwell smirked. "Honestly, I hope so. It'd save us from having to bail her out again."

Yanagida, still digesting the information, folded his arms. "This Laswell... she's her boss, right? Do you trust her?"

Adam's jaw tightened slightly before he answered. "As much as I trust anyone tied to the CIA," he said evenly. Then, a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Though to be fair, she's a hell of a lot more trustworthy than most I've met."

Itami checked his watch. "Uh, hey, why don't we continue this on the bus? We don't want to be late."

They all agreed with Itami's assessment and began boarding the bus.

Adam lingered by the steps for a moment, staring off into the distance. "I hope you know what you're doing, Maya," he murmured under his breath before climbing aboard.

Bourbon Street Bar, Tokyo

April 2, 2028, 12:17

Alexei Morozov lounged at the bar, his eyes fixed on the above television. A baseball game was on—Yomiuri Giants vs. Chunichi Dragons. He wasn't much of a baseball fan, preferring football, but he had to admit the game was kind of growing on him.

With a glass of vodka in one hand, he picked up the last gyoza from his plate and took a bite, savoring the crispy skin and savory filling. As he wiped a bit of sauce from his thumb, he gestured for the bartender.

"ヘイ、ギョウザ もう一つ、ください。(Hey, one more plate of gyoza, please.)"

Before the bartender could respond, a familiar voice cut through the chatter behind him.

"私が払うよ (I'll pay for it,)" a woman said, her tone smooth and sure.

Morozov froze, his jaw tightening. He knew that voice. Slowly, he turned to face the woman who had just slid into the seat next to him.

She gave him a look, a smirk playing at the corners of her mouth. "Скучай по мне? (Miss me?)"

Morozov groaned, rubbing a hand over his face. "Бля нет (Fuck no.)"

Maya's grin widened as she switched to her native English. "Oh, come on, your face says different."

He exhaled sharply and set down his glass, speaking English with a distinct Russian accent. "Why would I miss someone who tried to kill me?"

Maya raised an eyebrow, still smirking. "I didn't try to kill you. That was just some random pissed-off Syrian."

"Yeah, but who handed him the Kalashnikov?" Morozov shot back.

Maya shrugged, as casual as ever. "Well, if your guys hadn't raided my place and killed my informant, I wouldn't have had to deal with you at all."

Before he could respond, the bartender slid the fresh plate of gyoza in front of Morozov.

"こちらです(Here you go)."

Maya switched to Japanese smoothly, her tone polite but still playful. "ああ、テネシーアップルジャックダニエルはありますか？(Oh, do you have Tennessee Apple Jack Daniels?)"

The bartender gave a nod. "すぐにお持ちします。(One coming right up.)"

Maya turned back to Morozov, her grin never fading. She leaned an elbow on the bar, tilting her head as she regarded him.

"So," she began, her voice filled with fake curiosity, "what is Russia's finest doing way out here in Japan? I thought you'd be stationed in Eastern Europe or something."

Morozov took a bite of gyoza, chewing deliberately before responding. "Well, the same reason you're here, Miss Langley." He gestured vaguely with his chopsticks. "Aliens."

Maya blinked, then burst into laughter. "Aliens? Really? You believe in that shit?"

Morozov raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with her reaction. "Well, that's what you Americans and the Japanese government brought here, no? From that 'Gate?'"

Still chuckling, Maya shrugged, her tone dripping with amusement. "I think you're crazy."

Morozov set his glass down, slid a folder across the bar, and tapped the photos now laid out in front of her. "Really? Aren't these your people with those women from the other side of the Gate?"

Maya glanced at the pictures, her expression unreadable. After a moment, she shrugged again, nonchalant. "Well... they look human to me."

"Fuck off," Morozov muttered, rolling his eyes. "Everybody knows about the guests from the Special Region. Stop playing dumb."

Maya's smirk returned, but her eyes glinted with something harder. "How'd you even get these?"

Morozov's lips curled into a thin smile. "Hmph. You'd be surprised how sloppy Japan's Public Security Intelligence Agency can be."

Maya chuckled lightly, but there was no humor in it. "Guess I'll need to have a word with my partners, then." She set the pictures down and leaned closer, her tone casual but with bite. "But seriously, Alexei, what did you expect? It's a televised conference. Everybody knows about it."

"Yes," Morozov said evenly, his gaze unblinking, "but the announcement clearly stated there would be three representatives. So why," he slid one photo closer to her, tapping it with deliberate force, "are there suddenly five?"

The playful air around Maya vanished in an instant. Her smile faded, replaced by a calm, threatening edge as her eyes locked onto his.

"Careful," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "You're treading on territory you shouldn't."

Morozov smirked faintly, but his hostility was evident, simmering just beneath the surface. "Oh? Hit a nerve, did I?" He leaned in slightly, his tone laced with mock curiosity. "I swear I heard rumors about one of those women being treated royalty. Interesting company your people keep."

The tension between them was palpable as they stared each other down. The bartender returned, placing Maya's drink before her, oblivious to the charged atmosphere.

"すみません、お待たせしました (Sorry for the wait)."

Maya broke eye contact first, flashing the bartender a polite smile. "ありがとう (Thank you)."

She then sipped her drink, her eyes narrowing as she turned back to Morozov.

"You really want to play ball, huh?" she said, her voice low. "I know what your people are trying to do, and here's one warning, Alexei..."

She leaned in closer, her voice softening into Russian as she spoke.

"Попробуй что-нибудь сделать, я не буду с тобой так же вежлив, как в Вене. (You try to do something, I won't be as nice to you as i was in Vienna)."

Morozov chuckled, taking another bite of gyoza, unbothered. "I know. Which is why..."

The words barely left his mouth when a man slipped into the seat beside Maya. The press of a suppressed handgun against her hip, but she didn't acknowledge the newcomer. She kept her eyes locked on Morozov, her grin never wavering.

"Ah, one of your Zaslon guys, huh?" she said with a raised eyebrow. "— Кузя, да? Как жена? А двое твоих сыновей? Было бы жаль, если бы их отец истек кровью здесь, в тихой гавани Японии, не так ли? (Kuzya, right? How's your wife? and your two sons? It would be a shame if their father bled to death here in the safe haven of Japan, wouldn't it?)"

Morozov didn't lose his composure. "You're a brave one, talking like that when there's a gun aimed at you."

Maya's smile didn't falter. "You won't kill me here. You wouldn't make it two steps outside this bar."

Outside the bar, Alex and Sawyer sat in their parked SUV. Sawyer leaned back, his Remington Concealable Sniper Rifle propped against the rear seat. His eyes fixed on the entrance.

Listening in on the conversation through the comms, Sawyer sighed. "I thought she was supposed to de-escalate."

Alex, sitting in the driver's seat, smirked faintly. "You just don't know her well enough yet." He glanced toward the bar with a shake of his head. "Her logic is—and I quote—'escalate to de-escalate.'"

Sawyer let out a low chuckle, his focus never wavering from the entrance. "Yeah, that tracks."

Meanwhile, the car radio crackled as a news anchor's voice filled the cabin.

"皆さん、あと10分で日米共同記者会見が始まります。"

(Ladies and gentlemen, in ten minutes, the joint US and Japanese conference will begin.)

Alex glanced at the radio and muttered, "Huh, the conference is starting."

He reached over and turned up the volume.

Inside the bar, the baseball game wrapped up, and the TV switched to a news update. A polished anchor appeared, repeating the announcement.

"皆さん、あと10分で日米共同記者会見が始まります。" (Ladies and gentlemen, in ten minutes, the joint US and Japanese conference will begin.)

Maya sipped her drink, her expression relaxed and unbothered despite the cold steel still pressed against her hip. She tilted her head slightly, smirking at Morozov. "Tell you what—let's hit pause on this little pissing contest. I wanna see what they're saying at this conference."

Morozov sighed and gave a slight nod to Kuzya, who grudgingly eased off. The pressure of the gun vanished, but the man didn't move far.

"Fine," Morozov muttered, picking up his glass. "I was getting curious too.





Japanese Parliament Building, Tokyo

April 2, 2028, 12:36

The bus came to a halt, and Itami was the first to step off. He stretched, feeling the stiffness in his joints after the long ride. The towering Japanese Parliament building loomed before them, its grand architecture a reminder of the significance of the day.

"We're here," Itami said, his voice tinged with both weariness and resolve.

Adam followed closely behind, adjusting his tie and straightening the crisp folds of his dress uniform. "Yeah, we sure are. Now for the love of god, adjust your uniform."

Itami glanced down at his attire, quickly noticing the creases that had formed during their journey. "Oh right," he muttered, immediately starting to smooth out the wrinkles.

Behind them, Lelei, Rory, and Tuka stepped off the bus, each taking in the imposing structure of the parliament building.

Lelei tilted her head slightly. "Is this where we'll be meeting your senators?"

Itami nodded. "Yup, not just mine though. The American senate will also be here."

Lelei's brows furrowed in curiosity. "American? From Adam's country?"

Adam gave a sharp nod, adjusting his collar. "Yup."

Rory grinned. "Ahh, so we're meeting two governments then?"

Adam's lips curled into a slight smile. "Yeah, but Itami's government will be the one running the show. The American senate is just going to be observing."

From the steps of the bus, Caldwell chuckled. "Thank god I'm not the one attending that circus."

Adam shot him a sidelong glance. "Yeah, yeah, fuck off, Cap."

Tomita and Yanagida approached Caldwell, their expressions firm.

Tomita spoke first. "We should get moving."

Yanagida nodded. "Yes, the Defense Minister and the Secretary of State are already waiting."

Caldwell sighed, straightening up before stepping back onto the bus. "Got it." He made his way to his seat, muttering under his breath, "Lucky me."

Inside, Pina looked across at Kuribayashi, who now sat opposite her. "Are we not getting off here?"

Kuribayashi shook her head. "No, ma'am. You're meeting at a separate location."

Itami, still standing outside, turned back toward the bus. "Well, just keep them safe, alright?"

Tomita gave a curt nod. "We will, sir."

The bus rumbled to life and drove off, leaving Itami and the others standing at the entrance of the parliament building.

Itami adjusted his uniform one last time before turning to the group. "Well, let's get moving."

Adam gestured toward the building, his tone light. "Yeah, come on, girls. Time to shine."

They stepped inside the towering structure, the sound of their footsteps echoing against the polished marble floors. The atmosphere was formal and imposing, the air tinged with a mixture of gravity and anticipation.

Approaching the front desk, they were greeted by a receptionist, Her demeanor was professional and composed, as if she had been expecting them.

"Lieutenant Yoji Itami and Master Sergeant Adam Woods?" she asked, her gaze flicking between the two men.

Itami stepped forward. "Yes, that's us."

"Please hand over your IDs," she said, reaching out expectantly.

Both men reached into their pockets, retrieved their IDs, and handed them over.

The receptionist took them without a word, scanning the information.

As they waited, Adam's ears perked up at the sound of a familiar voice.

"Well, look who it is—one of Virginia's finest sons," the voice drawled, tinged with Southern warmth.

Both Itami and Adam turned to see Senator Nathaniel Lockridge of Virginia, the head of the Senate Armed Services Committee approaching them, his staff trailing not far behind him. His tailored suit amplified his commanding presence.

Adam stepped forward, a smile spreading across his face as he extended his hand. "Senator Lockridge, good to see you, sir."

Lockridge took his hand with a firm grip. "Likewise, Master Sergeant." His gaze shifted to Itami, a smile tugging at his lips. "And you must be the famous hero of Ginza."

Adam bit back a laugh as he released the senator's hand.

Itami, a bit taken aback, gave a slight respectful bow. "Yes, sir."

Lockridge chuckled and shook his head. "No need for all that formal stuff, son." He extended his hand with a more casual smile. "A handshake is enough."

Itami scratched the back of his head before shaking the senator's hand. "Of course, sir."

Lockridge then turned his attention to the three girls standing nearby, addressing them with a warm, welcoming tone. "And you must be the guests from the Special Region. On behalf of the United States of America, welcome to our world."

Rory stepped forward, her voice calm but tinged with curiosity. "Thank you, Mr. Lockridge. I'm Rory Mercury, the apostle of the goddess Emroy."

Lockridge raised an eyebrow, his smile widening. "Well, that's something you don't hear every day. And polite, too. You don't see much of that anymore in the youngins these days."

Rory's lips curled into a sly grin. "I'm not as young as I look, Mr. Lockridge."

Lockridge chuckled, intrigued, but then shifted his gaze to the blue-haired girl standing next to Rory. "And you must be...?"

Lelei stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Lelei la Lena, apprentice mage under the guidance of the great sage Cato el Testan."

Lockridge's eyes brightened. "Ah, so you're one of those 'Mages' who can do magic. I'll be looking forward to seeing that someday."

Lastly, his gaze fell on Tuka, who was dressed in a business suit. "And I see you've embraced our world's style of dress. How's it feel?"

Tuka smiled, tugging at the edges of her suit jacket. "It feels nice... though I'm still getting used to it."

Lockridge nodded approvingly. "Well, then I hope you three are ready."

He turned back to Adam with an easy grin. "How about you? Ready for the big show?"

Adam smirked, rolling his shoulders. "Oh, yeah. This isn't my first rodeo, sir."

Lockridge laughed. "Oh, I'm well aware. After the shitshows in Syria and Ukraine, I think Blackburn's made more appearances in front of the committee than any other Squadron CO in Delta Force."

Adam gave a dry chuckle. "We're not entirely proud of that."

Lockridge's expression softened, and he looked Adam square in the eyes. "Well, son, here's the thing—this time, it's not my show. The Japanese Diet is running this conference. If they decide you or your partner put a foot wrong, my hands are tied. I won't be able to back you up."

Adam's smirk faded slightly, and he nodded. "Yeah... I get it."

Lockridge slapped Adam on the back with a confident grin. "Well, I'm sure you'll be fine. After all..." He gave Adam's shoulder a firm pat where the Delta Force insignia rested. "You're one of America's finest, right?"

Adam's lips curled into a faint grin. "Yes, sir."

Lockridge gave a satisfied nod. "Attaboy."

He then shifted his attention to Itami, his tone taking on a more measured quality. "Is this your first time?"

Itami gave a crisp nod. "Yes, sir."

Lockridge leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "Well... here's the biggest tip I can give you. Stay relaxed, and sound confident. As a politician myself, I can tell you that if you show even a hint of weakness, the sharks will smell it. And they'll circle."

Itami nodded, absorbing the advice. "Understood, sir."

Just as the conversation settled, the receptionist finished scanning their IDs. She handed them back with a polite smile. "Here you go."

The two men took their IDs, and the receptionist gestured toward a door across the room. "The entrance is over there."

Lockridge gave them one last grin. "Well, good luck in there," he said, before turning to walk away, his staff trailing behind him.

As they watched him go, Adam gave Itami a quick look. "Let's get this over with."

They made their way to the door, where a metal detector awaited them. Adam handed his Glock over to one of the security guards, who gave a nod and slid it into a tray for safekeeping.

Once they passed through the security check, they entered the grand hall. The sight before them was nothing short of imposing. The entire Japanese Senate was assembled, settling into their seats in a room that exuded formality and weight. The American senators were seated at a designated section, and among them, Itami noticed Lockridge taking his place with his staff nearby.

Itami's voice was low but laced with a touch of awe. "Well..." He exhaled slowly, his eyes scanning the room. "This is it."

Tuka fidgeted nervously, her eyes wide as she glanced around, overwhelmed by the atmosphere.

Lelei, on the other hand, stood still, scanning the room with a calm but observant gaze, her posture rigid processing every detail.

Rory, however, stood with an unshaken grin, her demeanor cool and confident, the weight of the room didn't faze her in the slightest.

Adam observed the three girls with a subtle, reassuring smile, a quiet chuckle escaping him. His voice was calm, steady. "Relax," he said. "It'll be fine."

A staffer guided them to their seats, and Adam, Itami, Rory, Lelei, and Tuka settled into their spots. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, every glance and movement underscoring the gravity of the session.

As the room quieted, the Speaker of the House of Representatives rose. Her commanding presence and sharp gaze silenced the murmurs of the chamber. "We convene today to address the tragic incident of March 26, 2028, involving personnel from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Third Reconnaissance Group, the U.S. Army Delta Force, and civilians from the Special Region. This tragedy claimed the lives of 150 civilians."

She paused, her voice weighted with the gravity of the statement. "The purpose of this session is to ascertain the facts and identify measures to prevent such losses in the future. Let us proceed."

A middle-aged representative from the Defense Committee, Satoshi Kawahara, spoke next. His voice was steady. "Lieutenant Yoji Itami, please step forward."

Itami rose, adjusting his uniform before walking to the podium. His expression was neutral, but the weight of the moment was evident. Reaching the stand, he took a steadying breath.

Kawahara's gaze met his, firm but not unkind. "Lieutenant Itami, you are the commanding officer of the Third Recon Group, correct?"

"Yes, sir," Itami replied, his voice composed.

"Lieutenant," Kawahara continued, "please provide us with a detailed account of the events leading to the tragic loss of life on March 26, 2028."

Itami's voice was measured as he began. "At approximately 08:30 on March 24, 2028, my team, along with our American counterparts, was tasked with scouting ahead and establishing contact with the local population. By 12:00, we had arrived at Coda Village, where we spoke with the village chief. He directed us to Elfrana Forest, where an Elf settlement was located."

He paused briefly, glancing at Tuka. The memory of that day was still fresh and painful for her, and Itami hesitated, ensuring she was comfortable with him recounting the events.

Kawahara noticed the pause and prompted him gently. "Lieutenant?"

Itami nodded, exhaling slowly. "On March 25, at approximately 08:00, we reached the settlement, only to find it destroyed by a dragon. Most of the inhabitants had been killed, but we found one survivor. After securing the area, we alerted Coda Village to the threat. The village chief decided to evacuate, and we assisted to ensure their safety."

He steadied himself before continuing. "During the evacuation on March 26, at approximately 10:00, we encountered the dragon again—the same one that had attacked the Elf settlement. We engaged it and managed to repel the threat, but, as noted, there were casualties."

The room fell silent, his words lingering in the air. Kawahara leaned forward slightly, his tone somber. "Civilian casualties?"

Itami nodded solemnly. "Yes, sir. Unfortunately."

Kawahara jotted notes on his pad before speaking again. "This aligns with your submitted report. However, I would like additional input. Master Sergeant Adam Woods."

All eyes turned as Adam rose, walking to the podium beside Itami. His posture was confident, and his presence was steady.

Kawahara's gaze shifted to Adam. "Master Sergeant, you are the leader of the Delta Force team attached to Third Recon, correct?"

"Yes, sir. Team 1, Bravo Squadron," Adam replied crisply.

Kawahara's expression was unreadable. "In your assessment, was Lieutenant Itami's account accurate?"

Adam met his gaze without hesitation. "While the times were estimates, the rest aligns with what I observed."

"How many years have you served in Delta Force, Master Sergeant?"

"Approximately 20 years, sir."

Kawahara nodded thoughtfully. "With your experience in various combat zones, do you believe Third Recon's response to the dragon attack was appropriate?"

Adam's gaze flicked briefly to Itami before returning to Kawahara. "Yes, sir. Lieutenant Itami and his team acted quickly and decisively in an unprecedented situation. They did everything within their power to minimize further loss of life. It wasn't an ideal outcome, but under the circumstances, their actions were commendable."

Kawahara's sharp eyes returned to Itami. "Lieutenant, in your view, what was the primary cause of the significant loss of life?"

Itami squared his shoulders, his voice calm but resolute. "Sir, the main issues were the absence of established protocols for handling such a threat and insufficient firepower."

"Can you elaborate?" Kawahara pressed.

"The dragon itself was the biggest challenge," Itami explained. "We had no prior experience with such a creature, so there were no standard procedures in place. Additionally, my team wasn't equipped with sufficient anti-tank weaponry. We had to rely on the American team's firepower."

Kawahara raised an eyebrow. "Your heavy machine guns weren't sufficient?"

Before Itami could respond, a representative from the Ministry of Defense interjected, his voice sharp. "Objection, According to tests we conducted on the dragon's scales revealed that .50 caliber rounds were ineffective."

The Speaker's gavel came down sharply, silencing the chamber. Her voice carried authority as she addressed the interjector. "Representative Yamada, while your expertise is valued, please respect the procedural flow of this inquiry. You will have an opportunity to speak when recognized."

Yamada caught off guard, bowed his head slightly. "My apologies, Madam Speaker."

She turned her attention back to Kawahara, her tone even. "Representative Kawahara, you may proceed."

Kawahara gave a curt nod before turning back to Adam. "Master Sergeant, do you concur with Lieutenant Itami's assessment?"

Adam's voice was steady. "Yes, sir. In over 20 years of special operations, I can confidently say I've never faced anything like a dragon. Lieutenant Itami's team, despite lacking combat experience, acted decisively. Their actions undoubtedly saved lives."

Kawahara studied Adam for a moment, his expression thoughtful. Then he gave a curt nod and addressed the Speaker of the House. "Madam Speaker, I have concluded my inquiry."

The Speaker of the House acknowledged him with a firm nod. "Very well. Representative Kawahara, you may return to your seat."

Kawahara stepped back to his place, his demeanor still serious but now tinged with satisfaction. The tension in the chamber began to ease, a collective exhale rippling subtly through the audience.

The Speaker of the House lowered her gavel with a sharp crack, signaling a brief recess. Conversation filled the chamber, but the focus remained on the podium, where Itami and Adam had just finished their testimonies.

Itami adjusted the cuffs of his uniform as he stepped away from the stand, his posture formal but his shoulders slightly tense. Adam fell into step beside him, the steady clink of their boots against the polished floor almost inaudible beneath the din.

"Hey," Adam said, his voice low but carrying a note of approval. "You did good."

Itami glanced sideways at the Adam, his expression softening just slightly. "Thanks," he replied, his tone modest.

From his designated seat among the observers, Senator Lockridge watched the proceedings critically. As Adam and Itami returned to their seats, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Good answers," he muttered under his breath.

Beside him, U.S. Ambassador to Japan Charlotte Harper adjusted her blazer, settling into her seat. Her expression was calm, but her tone carried a trace of frustration as she spoke quietly. "Agreed."

Lockridge turned slightly, raising an eyebrow. "Ambassador Harper? Didn't expect to see you here."

Harper sighed, keeping her voice low. "After that GCN headline, people started asking questions. The administration decided it'd be a good look if I showed up." She offered a small shrug, her tone tinged with wry humor. "Optics and all that."

Lockridge let out a quiet chuckle. "Figures." He glanced toward the floor, then back at her. "What's your take on all this?"

Harper leaned in slightly, her voice dropping further. "Honestly? It's theater. A dragon? Nobody could've planned for that."

Lockridge gave a small shake of his head, his tone dry. "Well, they should've seen it coming. You know, considering..."

Harper smirked faintly, cutting in with a hint of sarcasm. "Yeah, yeah. Magical fantasy world, I get it. But you'd think someone might've sounded the alarm when those smaller flying things started showing up."

Lockridge chuckled, leaning back casually. "Hindsight's always twenty-twenty, isn't it?"

Harper adjusted her posture, her expression sharpening. After a moment, she asked, "Adam Woods. He's her brother, right?"

Lockridge's demeanor shifted, his tone turning serious. "If you're talking about Maya, yeah. That's him."

"Delta son and CIA daughter," Harper said with a dry chuckle. "Quite the family."

"Don't forget the ISA mother," Lockridge added, smirking faintly.

"Oh, I haven't," Harper replied. She paused before continuing, her tone curious. "Speaking of Maya... wasn't she banned from returning to Asia? After Hong Kong, I mean."

Lockridge's jaw tightened slightly, his voice cooling. "You know why she's here."

Harper hesitated, her gaze flicking around the room. "I get it. But you're telling me Langley didn't have anyone else? After everything that happened... you'd think they'd want to keep her as far away from the Chinese as possible."

Lockridge exhaled, his voice lowering. "Maya's one of the best field officers they've got. Of course they sent her."

"I know," Harper said softly, frowning. "But after what the Chinese did to her... I'm surprised her father didn't pull rank to keep her stateside."

Lockridge's expression darkened further. "He tried. Believe me, he did. She's never been one for protocol, always dives right in, regardless of the risks."

Harper's brows knit together, her voice dropping slightly. "Yeah, that sounds about right. Still, I can't help thinking... she's got to be out for blood after all that."

Lockridge let out a short, humorless laugh. "That's why Laswell's there with her."

Harper nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Thankfully. I gave them some pretty strict ROEs, though. Let's hope she sticks to them."

"Hope all you want," Lockridge said dryly, leaning back. "Knowing Maya, she'll be in a gunfight by the end of the week."

"Please, no," Harper groaned, rubbing her temples. "I'd like at least one night of decent sleep."

Lockridge chuckled softly but his tone grew more reflective. "You know, when I was CIA Director, Maya barely ever listened to me. I'd give her all the standard advice, tell her to stay cautious, and she'd just—" he waved his hand dismissively, "—do her own thing. She's always been like that."

Harper raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like a real handful."

"You have no idea," Lockridge muttered with a shake of his head. "She's got a mind of her own, for better or worse."





Bourbon Street Bar,

Tokyo, April 2, 2028, 12:52

Maya sat at the bar next to Morozov, nursing her drink, when she suddenly sneezed.

"Achoo!"

Morozov flinched. "Sick?"

Maya shook her head. "Nah, I think someone's just talking about me."

Her phone buzzed, diverting her attention. She glanced at the screen, a smirk curling at the corners of her lips.

"Well, I'll be damned," she muttered under her breath. "George R.R. Martin wasn't just spinning tales... he was ahead of his time."

She scrolled through the barrage of posts and comments flooding her feed.

u/GlobalDefenseWatcher: They just called a recess. What are everyone's thoughts so far? Can't believe we're watching politicians discuss how a dragon killed 150 people. Feels surreal.

u/Secu-7: It's insane. Like, "dragons" as in actual mythical creatures? If this were anyone else, I'd say they're pulling a prank. But seeing those officials dead serious about it? This world keeps getting weirder.

u/Yu_ik: Lieutenant Itami is handling it like a champ, though. He doesn't look phased at all. Respect for owning up to the mistakes while explaining the context. Honestly, it doesn't sound like they had a chance against something like that.

u/Ame: Agreed. That adam guy was solid too the guy is Delta Force, so you know he's seen stuff. If he's saying the response was appropriate, it's hard to argue otherwise. But yeah, a dragon? Like, what the hell?

u/Tier1: Speaking of Delta, you guys caught that, right? He's from B Squadron. Aren't they supposed to be in Germany?

u/SoftTargetGuru: Got rotated out, I think. I saw some pictures of them training with JSDF SOG a while back.

u/Aoi: Special Region CAG kit pics when?

u/c_ali: Why are you so obsessed with kit? And not, you know, the fucking dragon?

u/olp: We are gear whores, what did you expect?

u/okpok: Delta Force fighting dragons in another world alongside Japanese soldiers... That was not on my 2028 bingo card.

Maya let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head. "Damn, brother. You're going global." She set her phone back down on the bar, her attention returning to the TV, where the coverage of the session continued.



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Happy Belated Merry Christmas, everyone!

I originally planned to post this on Christmas, but, well, you know me—timelines aren't exactly my strong suit. I just want to take a moment to say thank you for reading my shit. I never imagined it would reach 7,000 reads (I was hoping for maybe 100 at best), so this milestone means a lot to me. Cheers to all of you for your support, and here's hoping next year brings us even more joy and success.



Thank you again, and happy holidays!