Quoted By:
“Our mission is to enrich every aspect of the Japanese economy, military, and society.” You nod once. “That means pursuing every avenue in the search for an advantage.” Pausing, you take a moment to rub your chin thoughtfully. A cold breeze whips up the street, biting at your skin wherever it is not covered. “Our enemies are doing the same, likely with a level of aggression that we can’t even anticipate. If we can’t stay ahead of them, if we even fall to parity with the forces that seek to undo the Shogunate’s rule, we will fail.” Your expression turns grim, and the severity of your speech dawns on the members of your party. “And failure simply isn’t an option.”
Keisuke clears his throat. “General, you don’t mean to suggest that the Shogunate would fall, do you?”
You shrug. “The Romans never thought Rome would fall. The world is changing, and the Shogunate is an old government with an old army. If we can’t keep up with change, we’ll be left behind, and in the best case scenario, be rendered irrelevant on the world stage.” You frown deeply. “The worst case scenario is something I don’t want to think about.”
“We possess the strongest fighting force in Japan, sir.” Sato interjects with a surprisingly assertive tone. “And as long as we continue our program of military procurement and training, I don’t see us losing on the field of battle.”
“Winning the war doesn’t mean anything if you lose the peace, Major.” You sigh, rubbing the bridge of your nose. “If our victory leaves Japan weakened and destitute, we’ll be an easy target for revolutions, or worse, colonizers.” Flipping your collar up to shield your neck from another cold gust, you continue. “We need to lay the foundation for a strong Japan, and a strong Japanese people. That will mean guiding the country into the modern age, in every aspect.”
There is silence as your cohorts mull over what you’ve just said. Keisuke’s expression is one of grim understanding. Nakajima seems horrified at the thought, resting her chin on a clenched fist. Sato’s expression is hard to read, though you notice his eyes dart back and forth a couple times as he seems to consider a reply. Finally, he speaks. “You are right, General. We will need to pursue every advantage.” He removes his cap, slicking his hair back with a gloved hand. “To fade into irrelevance is a greater dishonor than any defeat.”
Zorn interjects, getting the group moving along again as he guides you all toward what he claims is the best beer hall in all of Berlin. You fall toward the back of the group, somewhat puzzled by Sato’s quick change in perspective. Were you really that convincing? As you feel yourself get lost in thought, Keisuke gets your attention. “General?”
