North Winds Fall (Xianxia - Survive the Protagonist)

Doctor Takahashi had served the legislature as a Medical advisor and first responder for any issues at the government building. And he lived just a few blocks from the Kasai family home.

"Young lady, what do you want with the Doctor at this late hour?" asked the Doctor's wife who opened the door. "He needs his sleep."

"Minister Kasai is asking for the Doctor's help. Both the Minister and his wife were attacked less than an hour ago. Doctor Takahashi's familiarity with both mental and physical symptoms will be helpful."

"What is your relation with our new Prime Minister, young lady?"

"I'm a member of the Minister's protective detail."

"Tell your minister that the Doctor will be right over."

After convincing the doctor to help, her next goal was to get back to the hideout Saito had taken her to first. With a military uniform, she might be able to poke around and find out what the army was up to.

How many homes in this area were actual residents, and how many were some kind of hideout?

She saw a man leaving his home, having a conversation with another man from inside the home. Maybe it meant nothing, but she made sure the man had turned away before she went into Saito's hideout.

The house was dark. She went to the bedroom she had stayed the first night in Mazumi, and found her uniforms neatly folded.

Choosing the gray everyday uniform, she got changed. Curiosity got the better of her, so she happened upon the pile of papers and unopened letters.

Each unopened envelope contained the two characters for Army and Clan. Warlord Party was what Gunbatsu truly meant.

She opened one of the envelopes, and skimmed it:

"Your military deserves the right of Self-determination. We have the right to choose the best soldiers, regardless of age and gender. We have designed our tactics around soldiers who started training from a young age, combining both school work and military discipline to become qualified members of society. Each soldier leaving the military will know and respect our efforts, unlike the craven civilian governments, who promise benefits which they cannot defend.

Take a stand and make your voice heard soldier! Our nation will be weak and it will fall if the Minshuto party stays in power. Make your mark, stand together with us, and we will be a mighty army to prevent the Minshuto traitors from continuing for another day."

She hurried back to the Minister's house. Mr. Kasai was lucid and fully awake when she returned to the house.

"I saw the whole thing happen," he said. "From the moment I looked at you until I fell asleep again. I never expected you to resist something I couldn't deal with. When I woke up the second time, I was so thankful that Officer Saito was right there. Mrs. Kasai is still recovering, and it's too horrifying in our bedroom. I don't even want to go in there. So I put her in your bedroom. But even though your cover was blown, I would feel safer if you and Saito stayed here the next few nights."

"I had to focus on each toe and each finger to escape, but eventually I wormed my way out of the compulsion," she said.

"Would you go see the Governor-General? He will want to know," asked Minister Kasai.

"Of course, how do I get there, sir?" she asked. Since the Minister's driver had driven them around in the city the last time, she didn't know how to get there.

"I'll have my driver take you over."

She realized, as she was riding out to the Governor General's house, that it was way out in the country, away from the developed areas of Mizumi.

"He prefers to be at some distance from everything happening in Mizumi," the driver said to her.

When they arrived, she had to summon her courage to drop in unannounced this early. With all the decorum she could muster, she knocked on the manor door.

Naoki, the Governor's daughter, opened the door. Autumn was surprised to see her rather than a servant greeting people.

Naoki appeared to be surprised to see her as well.

"What can my father do for you, Miss -- Kasai?"

"I'm sorry for the deception, Ms. Kubota. I was an embedded member of Minister Kasai's security detail, posing as his daughter. He's okay, but Minister Kasai and his wife were attacked this morning. I thought the Governor General should know."

"What is your actual name, so I can speak to my father? He will want to talk with you."

"Specialist Setsu Shūsui, Ms. Kubota."

"Wait here," Naoki said, so Autumn stood by the front door.

It was a cool spring day, but dry at least.

After a long while, Naoki returned, "You can follow me. The Governor General wants to speak with you, Specialist."

The Governor General didn't have the same gravitas as before. He hadn't kept Autumn waiting even long enough to change out of his night clothes. She respected that. How many people like the Governor would even greet someone like her first thing in the morning.

"Did Warrant Officer Saito stop the attackers, Miss Setsu?" he asked immediately.

"He assisted, sir. He recovered Mrs. Kasai from wherever they put her."

"Why do you speak of Mrs. Kasai that way, like she was a body to be carried?"

"One of the men used Cards to bind their extremities and their tongue, so they were completely immobile. I was affected too, but I managed to overcome the Card effect."

"So it was you who stopped the attackers?" he asked, seeming to have more to say.

"I had to protect Minister Kasai. I wanted to. I did what I could when they tried to carry him away also."

"Hmm. It is good that you were able to protect him. Very bad that such an underhanded assault was made against the man I am recognizing as Prime Minister today. There is something else on my mind as well, Miss.

I admit, Miss Setsu, that I knew something was off with you, but it wasn't about you being part of the Minister's protection team.

I found it rather peculiar, and I have always made it a hobby to discern who was born into a privileged position, and who is a social climber, seeking to impress and ascend in society. The children of the Social Climber are much like their fathers, seeking to be recognized as someone special. The children of privilege, feel less pressure to be recognized.

My daughter enjoys this little game of mine as well, and between the two of us, we found that you acted completely like a daughter of privilege. You had no concern with showing off,, nor with winning or being recognized.

You had the grace to face defeat without comment or concern, and your attitude about your interests was the attitude of someone with the freedom to choose what interests them instead of what interests someone else. Minister Kasai is someone rising from a simple life as a University student, to part of the Agriculture department's analysis team, to Ag. Minister, and now Prime Minister.

He is one of the most low-key social climbers I've met, but still that is his identity, but not yours. I find myself confused, Miss Setsu. What is your background? What can you tell me about your own father?"

She was surprised that her very mannerisms and trained habits had given her away to the Governor General. If anyone in the West Winds didn't need to struggle for a higher position, it was him, Autumn decided. He would find no value in sharing her story, beyond the amusement of identifying her.

"I know that you wouldn't reveal these things idly, Lord Governor. So I can tell you. My real family name is neither Kasai, or Setsu. I changed it when I entered the country."

"Hmm, your father was one of the movers and shakers in North Winds then, before things were shaken too greatly?"

Autumn grinned. "You could say that. My original family name was Xue."

She was unsure if the Governor General knew the Emperor's family name, but after a pause he seemed to respond.

"Ah, so our speculation was right beyond what we knew. You left one situation, and arrived at another. With such an idle amusement decided, I'll leave you with this. Tell Minister Kasai that I still want to go forward with the appointment tonight. If my words do not make the troublemakers pay attention, then I fear I will be cast out as surely as you were."

On the way out, Naoki invited her to the next social gathering put on by her father. The Governor General hoped she would come out of uniform, as the same person they had met before. She didn't know what her own situation would be in a week, but she told Naoki she would try to make it.

Despite her background, Autumn didn't enjoy this kind of social labor, but she knew it was important.

By the time she returned to take up her post with Saito, the Kasai family house was filled with people. Two of the attackers had lived, including the Card user, but one of them had died.

She didn't like that she'd killed someone, but she didn't feel guilty for very long. There was no use playing soft in a life and death situation. Certainly she could have gone for a more lethal approach, but she didn't need to. None of her foes had been accomplished fighters, surprise had been sufficient for victory.

"I need to get to the office and prepare for tonight," Minister Kasai said.

As he said that, the Deputy Minister came back to the house. "We've got a problem, minister. Many people have surrounded the Government Offices. There's not a lot of soldiers left in the capital, but still most of those left are part of the blockade. Veterans, families of soldiers and those sympathetic to Gunbatsu are there too.

They are trying to block off all access to the Government buildings and prevent the inauguration!"

Minister Kasai pondered his deputy's words. "Have they been violent, also do they have the police on their side also?"

"Everyone vaguely militaristic is there, Minister. Officer Saito and Miss Setsu might be the only military in Mizumi not part of the demonstration. But no one has fired a shot, they have just blocked anyone from entering or leaving the building. How long can they keep so many there to block the way?"

Minister Kasai responded, "We have to come up with a plan. If this group takes one more step, they become a defacto military government. Deputy, our heads are on the line. Unless we can defuse the situation, even 10 Officer Saitos and Specialist Setsus won't be enough to protect us."

What plan should Minister Kasai have?

Gunbatsu and their associated friends are blockading the Government officers, preventing anyone from going in or out. Most army units are not in Mizumi because of the War going on, but those that are have almost all showed up in support of Gunbatsu. There are also retirees, reservists and military families as well as Gunbatsu fanatics of all stripes that have joined the blockade.

Who knows how many didn't join the blockade but are afraid to resist the Gunbatsu and be called weak-willed or a traitor. If this combined group decides to storm the Government, no one could stop them, but they haven't done it already, so it seems likely that each person in the blockade has a different reason to be there, and some of them merely want the Minshuto party out of power.

The Seidjiteki party is more militaristic than Minshuto, very militaristic, in fact, but they would be less extreme than the complete separation of military and civil matters that Gunbatsu wants. Gunbatsu is a party promising to end all civilian control of military matters.


[ ] Relocate preparations for the inauguration to the Governor General's manor. Being on the edge of town, it will be much harder and slower going for the crowds to surround the manor.

[ ] Propose a compromise: Seidjiteki will take power, and the Gunbatsu demonstrators will step away and stop interfering with government. This will make Minister Kasai quite unpopular with his own party, and the Governor General has the final say on any such situations.

[ ] Delay the Inauguration and find out how long Gunbatsu can keep it's demonstrators organized.

[ ] Write In

Kazumi #21. I discovered an active lighting based power that uses a surge of bright lightning to momentarily blind. I call it arc light. I was a little essence depleted after I tried it once.

Wei #22. I got a mission all my own for tomorrow. Thinking about actually fighting makes me feel yucky.

Kazumi #22. Need to test my fighting in a real situation. Lieutenant Yamada told me to go to the other side's starting point if it gets foggy.

Wei #23. Stuck so many times. Lost one of my boots in the muck,

Kazumi #23. In a real fight Shusui is still at another level. Captain Tsuda taught me a lot, it was a second strong fighter to learn from. I can tell Wei hates fighting. I don't like it but I gotta get stronger.

Kazumi #23 PS. Captain Tsuda was not happy losing. Shusui says several other girls started attacking him after I got knocked out of the fight.


Kazumi #24. 8th Platoon. I know Wei will miss being in the same platoon, but hopefully I can join the officer track someday soon and maybe end up her Lieutenant.

Wei #24. I wish I was still in Kazumi's platoon… I moved up 3 platoons, but she moved up 7. My sister's leaving us… Kazumi's gonna miss her too.

Kazumi #24 PS. I figured Shusui was headed somewhere. It's my responsibility to help all of these girls. I have to do whatever I can to get through this war with them.

Wei #24 PS. I hate it. They're sending us back to North Winds to "hold off north and south armies." What if we have to fight Tuan or Snow Chau!

Kazumi #24 PPS. This mission is insane. 24 platoons, understrength from Major Sumida's debacle, and we're supposed to "resist all armies North and South" from a target position 10 miles inside the North Winds border?

We're supposed to set up camp in a small village there, scout, identity and destroy all hostile forces with 900 or so girls? At least 300 are not ready for real fighting.

Wei #25 Kazumi rallied our team in the last exercise. Tomorrow we go north.

Kazumi #25 Some of our officers know more about wearing insignia than actually leading.

Wei #26 I made Kazumi swear to stop the fighting if she ever found a way to do it. She's so strong now. We were so tired and Kazumi encouraged us.

Kazumi #26 I don't want to fight the North Winds. Not only because Wei begged me to wave my wand and stop the war, but I thought we were fighting the South Winds army, why are we headed north?

Wei #27 We looked at them. It's my dad's flag, but with the Sang family crest too. Captain refuses to turn back.

Kazumi #27 Captain Tsuda wants us to fight prepared North Winds forces just across the border. He says he's following orders.

"How many teleport formations do we have to get people out?" Minister Kasai asked his Deputy.

"There are many formations hidden in various closets throughout the building. We have to get someone in to let them know to get started. And that's hoping that the demonstrators don't rush in. It'll take a few hours. You need to get the stockpile of essence crystals."

"Deputy Tanimoto, would you accompany my assistant, Specialist Setsu, as you are most aware of the layout of the offices? We don't know when or if the demonstrators will enter Government offices, but the Specialist will be your lifeline if things go rough," Warrant Officer Saito asked.

"I can show you where the teleport formation is, but I don't know how to program their locations," Autumn said.

"I can do that," Deputy Tanimoto said.

"It seems we have a plan for evacuating the Offices. I will coordinate with Officer Saito at the Governor General's manor," Minister Kasai said.

"Show me the way Specialist," asked the Deputy.

She lead Deputy Minister Tanimoto back to the hideout. With both the military and government knowing about it now, it wouldn't stay useful after today.

The Katana was very deadly, but the Dao blade was a masterwork and she had more control and understanding of the weapon. So she replaced the katana, picking up her Dao blade from the end table just inside the hideout house.

"Are you a Card cultivator like the Minister, sir?" she asked.

"I'm a latent-type Discovery-type pathist, Specialist. I ran the Department of Way, Dao and Philosophy at the University, before I came on as Science Minister and now Deputy Prime Minister in transition." Tanimoto said.

"I was thinking only of your protection. I know Minister Kasai has no fighting-type powers at all, so I was unsure. My brothers were Admin-type cultivators who gained fighting-type powers in Third and Fourth steps."

"We suffer sanctions if we develop fighting ability outside of the army. All of the Government pathists are completely non-violent," he said.

"Stay close then," Autumn answered. It took three tries before she found the room the teleport formation was in.

"Go ahead, sit down and I'll program the coordinates," Deputy Tanimoto said.

Sitting down, she asked the deputy another question. "I grew up with the term Cultivation and Cultivation Grades where you guys use Path, Pathist and Path steps, Why is that?"

"This is the terminology used from traders beyond our world. The Path is everything prior to True Cultivation. The process of going step by step until you reach Fifth Step is the process of becoming a real cultivator. There are many pathists but few cultivators."

Tanimoto sat down at the teleport formation, and the pain and loss of senses took hold moments later. It wasn't so bad the fourth time, but still she scrambled to her feet, taking in their arrival point in the government offices.

"Where are we?" she asked the Deputy.

"Third floor, near the Science Ministry," Tanimoto said.

"You lead, I'll keep us safe," Autumn said.

He went straight into the Science ministry first.

"Anyone who doesn't want to stay here, follow me," he said to those present.

Only some of the people of the Science ministry followed them out. They were mostly older, with only a few younger men.

"Most of the older members remember the promises of democracy, but many of the new people weren't here last time the military went on a venture." Tanimoto said. "There are so many peaceful applications of Science, whether studying off-world artifacts, or trying to understand how the Dao sets someone down their path."

One of the science ministry staff was concerned, "Deputy Minister! The Seidjiteki are inviting the protestors in right now! They are making a compromise deal with the Gunbatsu. It's not an invasion, according to them, but being invited to form a new constitution.

"They don't have enough votes, even with both parties," the deputy said as he entered what appeared to be a supply closet, but had a teleport formation which unfolded. Pulling it out into the hallway he spoke to them, "We have to hurry. Who can operate a teleport formation? Take this one, I'm programming the coordinates for the Governor's Manor."

Between Agriculture and Science, they had a lot of loyal people, so Deputy Minister Tanimoto led her to the Agricultural ministry office next.

"What do the Gunbatsu plan to do inside?" he asked the Ag. ministry staff.

"They will try to strongarm as many ministries as they can, make their own government without the Governor General's approval. Soldiers will get extra votes, and Generals can vote in the assembly, at least that's what I've heard."

When they had the Agricultural staff, which were 90% in favor of leaving, working on teleporting out, they had to decide the next place to check.

"Trade Ministry, they have influence with the Port Authority, we can't lose control of that," Deputy Tanimoto told her.

The hallways at each level wrapped around like a rectangle, and there were two stairwells, one on the north end, and one on the south. When they saw Gunbatsu people to the north, Autumn took over, leading them back towards the southern stairwell.

Unfortunately, she couldn't get there either as more Gunbatsu loyalists came up the Southern stairwell also.

Tanimoto had another idea, pulling them into a closet along the way. "This is an extra teleport formation, we can program it to appear just outside the Trade ministry," Tanimoto said.

They had to unfold it in the hallway, and activate the formation rapidly before they could be seized by the Gunbatsu.

They arrived with the usual disorientation, but Autumn took a chance and tapped her foot against the bottom of the formation chair, so she could blade step away.

They were surrounded by a small group of Gunbatsu activists. Autumn was going to say something before attacking, even though they were rushing all over the peaceful offices. Instead Deputy Tanimoto said it first.

"All of you gathered, Minister Kasai and I appreciate your patriotic enthusiasm for democracy, however, we need to transport our ministry officials to the Governor -- "

The assailant was a man in a black uniform with a rank of Major - Special Forces. When the Major tried to throw some kind of projectile weapon at the deputy, Autumn teleported in front of the weapon, deflecting it away.

"Stand down Specialist!" said the major.

"You just attacked a representative of the West Winds without reason," Autumn said.

"I am a superior officer of the Special Forces army, STAND DOWN!" he bellowed.

"Yes sir, but I am a member of a Protective Detail assaulted by army forces. The Protective Detail is an independent service of the Legislative Services. I am not subject to your command sir," she tried to repeat what Saito had told her.

The Major actually seemed to calm down and laughed. "Ha ha. This Legislative Services debacle is just an invention of Mr. Saito. You are subject to Special Forces authority at all time. Additionally, West Winds is in the state of martial law, declared this morning by General of the Armies Shojl. In order to assist the people and the Gunbatsu and Seidjiteki parties in forming a more perfect union by way of constitutional convention, to reflect the concerns of the armed services of this nation.

All members of the Minshuto party are traitors and enemies of the West Winds, and anyone, including you, Specialist, will also be counted as a traitor if they resist."


Response Vote:

How risky do you want your response to be?

[ ] Very High Risk - Get Tanimoto to a teleport formation and then operate freely in the Government Offices, doing whatever you can. You'll have to learn how to operate your own teleport formations and where to find them, as well as dealing with many hostile Gunbatsu people through the building.

[ ] High Risk - Continue evacuating Minshuto government officials for as long as you can, but also try to rescue officials. You are very outnumbered and Deputy Tanimoto is not a combatant, but he is smart and knows the building keenly.

[ ] Moderate Risk - Evacuate Minshuto officials as much as is practical and then get out of there with Tanimoto.

[ ] Low Risk - Take Tanimoto, and safeguard the Agriculture and Science ministries until they are gone, then leave yourselves.

[ ] Follow the Major's Orders