The sun was just beginning to peak over the eastern coast and lighting up the side of the Imperial Palace, and the sparse cloud cover presented a beautiful red hue across the horizon. Around the perimeter were incredibly sophisticated aerial defense systems, and a company of some of the most elite and loyal soldiers guarded the palace from enemies both foreign and domestic. Barely visible the coast were a handful of warships, and a wing of fighters were only a few miles away.
Among all this protection walked three men. The two on the sides were wearing elaborate body armor, styled after that of the samurai worn centuries ago. Gold trim covered their uniforms, and their helmets had permanently frowning masks, marking them as members of the Imperial Guard. The only anachronism that marked them as part of the modern age was the submachine guns they held across their chests.
Between them was a figure instantly recognizable to any Kagetorian, Izuyama Kaito, commander in chief of the Kenpeitai. With his power over the military police, he was easily the second most powerful person in the entire country, second only to the Shogun. His short military cut, earpiece, and glaring eyes all combined to create an appearance very fitting for someone of his position. A gold watch on his right wrist glinted in the sunlight as he walked, in stark contrast to his black suit and tie, which seemed to absorb all the light from around him.
After crossing the expansive grass lawn between the towering palace itself and the defensive walls that surrounded it, the trio marched through the guard station at the entrance and walked inside. They were greeted by lacquered floors and blindingly white walls, but no one else was there.
Crossing over to the bulletproof elevator, both Kaito and one of the guards inserted keys on opposite sides of the doors and then pressed the button that would take them to the Shogun's personal living quarters. As muzak came down from the ceiling, one of the Guardsmen shuddered. What he was about to do was nigh unthinkable. He would either go down in history as a hero of the state, or he would be erased from existence.
Overcoming his nervousness, he exited the elevator and walked into the living room of the 7th floor. Still no one was there, not even a guard was there. The Shogun slept only a few stories above, but they would have to take the stairs to reach him. Looking out over the empty rooms, Kaito smiled.
Mounting the stairs, they heard noise. When they reached the next level, they saw a couple guardsmen in one of the many stations scattered throughout the palace, and they all saluted as the commander walked past. Continuing up, they saw yet another empty room.
Finally stopping at the level on which the Shogun slept, Kaito looked to his left, and then to his right, and his companions.
"Are you ready? Once we go in there is no turning back."
"I swore under oath to serve my country til I die. Now is now different."
With a nod of gratitude, Izuyama opened the door and entered the room. The sound of soft snoring came from behind the curtains that draped around the bed. Striding over to the bed, Izuyama nearly ripped them as he pulled them apart, waking both Ienara and his wife Baihe with a jolt.
"Ienara, we need to talk."
"You want me to do what now?" asked the Shogun, rubbing his eyes yet again. This had to be a dream.
"I have all the paperwork ready. I just need you to sign your resignation, and then your wife," replied Kaito, glancing over at the pregnant Xin Han princess, bound and gagged in a robe, "will need to appoint me as the new Shogun."
"By what authority does this come from?"
"By the authority of the guns I have at my command."
"But these men are..."
"Loyal to you? They are loyal first and foremost to Kagetora, as any good citizen should be. You have weakened the country, which I will have to fix."
A sound of anger came from the bed as Baihe attempted to voice her anger. One of the accompanying guardsmen moved to silence her, but was checked by the curt tongue of Kaito.
"Stop. We will already be in trouble with the Xin Han Imperial Family. We do not need to escalate this by injuring one of them."
Ienara breathed a sigh of relief. While not a timid man, the threat of death was more than enough to overcome his courage, and now he had his wife and unborn children who were at stake as well.
As beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, Ienara said, "I'll sign it, and Baihe will as well."
"Excellent," began Kaito as the pen strokes began to move through the stack of papers that marked the end of the Tokugawa dynasty. "Untie the good lady, it's her turn."
OOC: One liners are not welcome, commentary is ok, invasions or military action must be approved with me or they will be ignored
