Shogo: Military Academy
By Hamish Paul Wilson.
Edited by Graham L. Wilson.
http://www.blood-wiki.org/Shogo/Expanded-Canon/

Thanks to Monolith Productions for the Shogo game and characters.

	Sanjuro woke slowly and awkwardly, with a splitting headache. “What was I doing last night” he thought, trying to recall his memories of the night before. “Kura” came into his mind, then “alcohol”, and finally “contest”. Okay, Sanjuro remembered enough. He looked bleary eyed around the room. There was no one there except for Kathryn, who was brushing her hair by a mirror. “Finally... the others are already at breakfast” she commented when she noticed that Sanjuro was awake. Sanjuro got up groggily. Then another thought came into his mind.

	“What time is it, am I late for class?”

	“No” Kathryn responded calmly. “It is Saturday.” Sanjuro breathed an audible sigh of relief.  “You should get ready though, I was ordered to fetch you.”

	“Then why didn't you?” Sanjuro asked annoyed, his head still throbbing terribly.

	“You looked so peaceful” Kathryn answered quietly as she put her hair brush down.

	“Right...” Sanjuro commented as Kathryn went out the door. Sanjuro quickly dressed into his school uniform and speedily headed out of the room and followed her to the mess hall. When he reached the cafeteria Kathryn was just getting seated by Toshiro, Baku, and Kura, her freshly brushed long hair contrasting with Kura's short unkempt hair in a rather striking fashion. Noticing Sanjuro arrive, Kura smiled at him lightly.

	“Good morning sleepy head” she greeted mockingly as Sanjuro seated himself next to her. Sanjuro contemplated on why Kura never seemed to get a hangover.

	“You did give him a bit too many drinks last night” Kathryn interjected, not willing to let Kura have too much at fun at his expense.

	“Nothing I couldn't handle” Kura replied smugly. Toshiro and Baku steered clear of the conversation and just continued to quietly eat their breakfasts. Some things were just not worth getting involved with.


	After breakfast the five friends retired to their dorms. At Kura and Kathryn's requests, their rooms were right next to Sanjuro's, Toshiro's, and Baku's, one of the many perks that they received from the establishment for being Admiral Akkaraju's daughters, even though the man himself actually had no knowledge of that particular event and would have strenuously objected to it on principle. They also shared one common room between the rooms, which they utilized frequently. Kura cuddled up to Sanjuro on the large coach, while Toshiro and Baku were studying for the upcoming Graduation Finals approaching at the end of the Academy school year.  Kathryn, meanwhile, was submerged in the large terminal screen of her computer station.

	She had only recently discovered writing as a hobby, but had since lost herself in the various virtual worlds that she could conjure up simply through the use of her own imagination. She was also rather secretive with her work however, and so far had shown it to no one. The peaceful scene in the common room was then disturbed by the door swinging open and someone walking inside. Kathryn and Kura rushed over to hug their farther, while the men present did a customary military salute. “At ease” the Admiral said, and Sanjuro, Baku, and Toshiro's muscles relaxed. The Admiral, being a military man, was quick and to the point, even when addressing his own daughters.

	“I have managed to use my executive power to make Kathryn's graduation happen after Kura's” he announced, enjoying seeing them both stare up at him. Since Kathryn had switched courses to Communications instead of standard Combat training the Admiral has worried that he could only see one of his daughter's graduations, but there were always some benefits to being in command. He then excused himself and left the room, almost as quickly as he had come, his purpose having now been expeditiously fulfilled.

	“When do you think we will get our grad uniforms?” Kura asked, snuggling herself back into Sanjuro's arms on the couch.

	“Assuming we did graduate...” Kathryn started, never one to place her trust in mere assumption.

	“You're way too literal” Kura pointed out nonplussed

	“Better literal than wrong” Kathryn replied, now slightly annoyed.

	“Enough, please don't argue again” Sanjuro cut in, not wanting loud noises to bring back his hangover again. Kathryn shrugged and went back to her console. Kura opened her mouth but decided it best not to annoy Sanjuro, at least for now.


	Hours later Sanjuro was asleep, but his mind was not. His thoughts burned as a nightmare flowed through him. “Can not locate” a voice said hollowly.

	“We must find them!” Sanjuro exclaimed desperately. Then he saw an image that, had it been real, would have been etched into his mind forever; Kura, Baku, and Toshiro's corpses lying on the ground, riddled with bullets, a ghastly look on their features.

	“Terminated” the strange voice cut in once again. Then it changed into that of Kathryn.

	“THEY'RE DEAD!” she screeched in his ear.

	“No!” Sanjuro screamed.

	“You killed them!” Kathryn's voice continued, this time deeper, darker, more hideous.

	“What, no... no!” Sanjuro stuttered in response.

	“Betrayer!” the original voice added, having since returned. “You are the great betrayer!” Sanjuro awoke, sweat glistening on his brow. He immediately got up and checked on his friends. Toshiro was sleeping calmly in his room and Baku was asleep also, a pleasant smile on his face. Sanjuro then checked on the Akkaraju sisters, despite the now obvious unreality of the dream. Kura was asleep in her bed, mouthing a few words in her sleep but otherwise unaffected. Kathryn meanwhile was asleep at her computer console. She was still wearing her day uniform; she had obviously fallen asleep while still writing. Sanjuro leaned up close and looked at the glowing terminal screen and read some of its contents, not willing to forgo a rare chance to take a discrete peak.

	“Catherine walked quickly up to her friends, and saw Kara and Simon embracing. A feeling of jealously overwhelmed her, but she quickly swallowed it. She had no right to complain, especially against her own sister...” Sanjuro jumped as he heard Kura's voice call out from somewhere behind him. He quickly turned, but soon realized that it was just Kura mumbling in her sleep. Sanjuro then quietly left the room, making his way to the water cooler. While there, he began to think about Kathryn's writing. It could be nothing more than her creative imagination, but there was something about it that seemed too much like real life for comfort. In the end it did not really matter though, and Sanjuro decided it would best if he simply went back bed.


	There would be no sleeping in for Sanjuro today. He was rather abruptly awoken by the sounds of packaging rustling; their uniforms for graduation had arrived. Both Baku and Toshiro had already put them on, and were looking proudly down at the red diamond insignia that was now emblazoned on their chests. Kura and Kathryn then entered the room, looking effulgent in their own uniforms. Kathryn's uniform had a radiating green circle insignia instead of the combat diamond, while Kura's was the same as the rest. “Well, we must have graduated” Kathryn stated matter-of-factly.

	“Like there was any doubt” Kura commented, doing a salute at her figure in a mirror. Sanjuro found his own and put it on in the other room, before returning to show himself off to the crowd. “You look quite handsome” Kura observed, giving him a little wink.

	“You two also look quite striking” Kathryn said politely to Toshiro and Baku. Baku looked away sheepishly, never one to take a compliment well. Sanjuro peered down into the box and saw that a note had come with the uniform. He read it out slowly.

	“Sanjuro Makabe, you have graduated from the UCA Academy Campus. You have been certified as a valuable soldier... etc, etc.” There was one bit of interest at the bottom of the note he did bother to recite however. “All students must stay through the entire ceremony in order to graduate.” He paused. “This could be bad...” he observed, realizing what it meant.

	“Bloody bureaucrats!” Kura called out roughly.

	“It will be okay, you don't have to see my graduation...” Kathryn acquiesced quietly.

	“Come now, I like a challenge” Kura said smiling. “One way or another, we'll be there.” That attitude would undoubtedly get her into some serious trouble someday.

 	
	“Oh, come on...” Kura hissed as she read out her final exam results. 
	
	“You never were an Einstein” Kathryn commented, not all that taken with her sister's present attitude.

	“Just because you got a 90% in mathematics!” Kura shot back offended.

	“It does not matter” Sanjuro interjected, wading into the fray once again. “60% will do just fine for a ground troop.” Kura gave Kathryn another rude face but did shut up. Kathryn still wore a smirk, but did eventually stop when Sanjuro gave her one last warning look. Why did he always have to stop them? How come it was never Toshiro or Baku?! Night was now fast approaching, and tomorrow was the graduation ceremony. Kathryn still seemed rather nervous as she never did like crowds, but Kura was her normal, exited, energetic self. It was not until late that she did finally turn in to bed. Sanjuro, meanwhile, was also having trouble sleeping for his reasons of his own; the dream had come back.

	The image of Kura, Toshiro, and Baku's corpses lingered in his mind, causing his imagination to paint many horrific situations for him that really did not deserve thinking of. It was around 1:00 in the morning when he finally decided to get up and get a glass of water. While heading for the water cooler he peered into Kura and Kathryn's rooms, and saw that both women were asleep in their beds. Kathryn's personal terminal screen still flashed however; as she trusted that Kura would never be bothered to read anything she wrote. Sanjuro's curiosity took hold, and he quietly steeped in to see her writing. “Catherine brooded in her room. Why did Simon not love her? Why did he go with Kara? What thoughts were in his mind that attracted him to her? She heard a knock on the door, and went to answer when a thought raced through her mind...”

	Sanjuro decided he had read enough, and navigated himself out of the room. He really did not like how Kathryn's story was turning out. There was something that seemed way too real about it, and it did not leave him with any happy conclusions. A thought then entered Sanjuro's mind; he would act on it after graduation.


	“Wake up, wake up, why are you so hard to wake up!” Sanjuro opened his eyes slowly to see a military uniform standing over him.

	“Am I being arrested?” he commented.

	“Very funny” Kura replied annoyed. “Now hurry or you will be late!” Those words forced the memory parts of Sanjuro's brain to finally come awake, and he hurriedly got dressed in his graduation uniform and ran out the door. Kathryn, Kura, Toshiro, and Baku were all waiting for him outside, and they all hurried to one of the various assembly rooms. The graduation ceremony for the military corps was packed with students and parents, all waiting to see their sons or daughters graduate. The Admiral had saved two special seats for his daughters, and luckily there were enough seats for Sanjuro and the rest to tag along as well. A man approached the podium and started spouting a fairly standard military speech. Kura tapped her armrests with impatience.

	After a few minutes the full ceremony properly began, with Kura being the first to be called on stage. She strutted up with pride and wore a large smile on her face as she received her medal. Baku was next, but he did not seem to be nearly as comfortable with the crowd as he tried his best to hide his face. Toshiro followed with a similar, though more accomplished, result. Sanjuro was next and went up looking resolute, receiving his medal quietly. With all this now over, the group headed off to the neighbouring assembly. Seeing the graduates approaching, the door guard gestured for them to stop. “If you go through that door you can not graduate” he warned them in a formal tone. The Admiral stared the guard right in the eye.

	“What is the world coming to if someone can not even see their own sister's graduation!” he growled. “You will let us through or I will find a way to make you a civilian again!” The man backed away quickly, not wishing to anger the Admiral any further. As the group passed through the door Kura gave the guard a dirty gesture, although she made quite sure to hide the fact from her father. This assembly contained a far smaller group of people; Communications was never a popular course, and the Admiral was an unexpected sight for many of the people seated. Kathryn was the star pupil of the class and was the first one to ascend the steps up to the stage. Her features showed a look of pride, but were partially hidden under the resolute face of a soldier. Somethings she could just not get away from.


	Noise and more noise; there was no other way to describe the campus bar after graduation. Seated in a corner was Toshiro, Kathryn, and Baku, who were all quietly enjoying a small celebratory drink. Sanjuro had also managed to pull himself away from Kura for a moment, leaving her with what was already her fourth glass. He walked up to the group and gestured for Toshiro to follow him. Both Baku and Kathryn also got up, but Sanjuro gestured for them to stay with his hand, and they both agreed to follow his request politely – some things were just between siblings, as Kathryn knew perfectly well herself. Sanjuro led Toshiro into an empty classroom near the bar, intent on no one overhearing what he had to say.

	“What is it brother?” Toshiro asked confused.

	“I would like your advice” Sanjuro replied.

	“Oh?” Toshiro responded, there not being much else to say at this point.

	“It is about Kathryn's writings” Sanjuro explained delicately.

	“What about them?” Toshiro inquired, his intelligent eyes scanning his brother curiously. Sanjuro took out a notebook where he had written down parts of Kathryn's story. As he read, Toshiro raised his eyebrows.

	“What do you make of it?” Sanjuro asked, aware of his brother's reaction. Toshiro leaned back thoughtfully, his keen brain thinking over the data.

	“You were always so damn likable” he concluded finally.

	“What am I going to do?” Sanjuro demanded, almost frustrated. “I do not want to strain my friendship with Kathryn!” Toshiro started thinking again.

	“I am afraid that I can not say much to help you; this is not really my area” Toshiro stated quietly. “Think carefully and you will think of something.”

	“Thanks for the help...” Sanjuro responded somewhat bitterly. Toshiro merely shrugged and headed for the door. Sanjuro followed him back to the bar, where Toshiro returned to his secluded table along with Baku and Kathryn. Sanjuro meanwhile was approached by Kura.

	“Where the hell had you gone?” she asked irritated. Sanjuro embraced her and gave her a long kiss. Kura was surprised by this at first but submitted quickly, enjoying it immensely. After they had finished, Kura asked the obvious question. “What was that for?”

	“Graduation” Sanjuro stated simply. Kura smiled at him warmly. 


	“No, this can not be true!”
	
	“You killed them!”

	Sanjuro awoke with a start; this dream just refused to die. Sometimes it would seem that it was over and done with, leaving him alone for several hours, but it always would come back. Sanjuro leaned over to check his alarm clock. The numbers glowed and displayed 6:00 AM. Sanjuro laid down for a second, not sure if his headache came from his nightmare or the drinks Kura had poured down his throat during the graduation celebrations. He eventually decided that it was no use to bother trying to go back to sleep, and decided for an early start. The sun loomed on the horizon, and it would not take too long for it to begin to rise. As Sanjuro walked over to the water cooler again for a morning drink, he  peered into the Akkaraju sisters' rooms once again. Seeing Kathryn and Kura asleep reminded him again of his predicament. 

	“Think carefully and you will think of something” Toshiro had said, but it did not really help matters. Sanjuro knew that he had to do something about it, but he did not want to hurt Kathryn. He also knew that Kura must never know about this; she was always competitive and prone to jealousy. The sun was rising now, and the Academy was now lit up over the faces of the many people suffering from hang-overs. Sanjuro sat by the window deep in thought, a look on his face not unlike that which Kathryn had when she thought deeply on matters. Sanjuro decided that he would have to bite the bullet and confront Kathryn at the nearest opportunity. 

	His thoughts were disturbed by a step behind him, and he looked back quickly to see who it was. Toshiro was usually the first awake, and was surprised to see Sanjuro up and standing so early. Seeing the expression on his brother's face, he gave Sanjuro a knowing look. “Let me guess...” he stated quietly, not needing to speak any further.

	“I have made up my mind”  Sanjuro declared in a tone of determination.

	“Whatever you do will be best” Toshiro acknowledged encouragingly, trusting his judgment in these matters. Sanjuro now just needed an opportunity.


	Sanjuro entered Kathryn and Kura's room later that day and found Kathryn alone at her writing terminal. When he approached she turned off the monitor, as she always did to hide her writings. “It's alright, I have seen some of those” Sanjuro explained slowly.

	“How?” Kathryn accused hesitantly. “You were not supposed to!”

	“I wandered in here once and they were open, and curiosity got the better of me I'm afraid” Sanjuro responded unfazed. Kathryn's face turned red, not out of anger but out of embarrassment. She tried her best to stare resolutely down at her feet, not wishing to see the expression on Sanjuro's face.

	“It was a interesting story Catherine” Sanjuro continued, making a “C” shape with his hand and emphasizing the first syllable. Kathryn understood his meaning, her eyes widening. What was he going to think of her?

	“All it needs is a good ending” Sanjuro finished, before approaching her and kissing her lightly on the forehead, causing Kathryn to grow a smile. “I am sure they will both be very happy, in their own world. There can not be any harm in that.”

	“Thanks Sanjuro, you're a good friend” she commented appreciatively, accepting his understanding. Sanjuro showed her a warm smile before wandering off; Kura would be wondering where he had went by now. Before leaving Sanjuro looked back at his friend, and saw that she was still smiling a sort of melancholy smile while deep in thought. Sanjuro finally left through the door, leaving Kathryn undisturbed in her thoughts.


	Sanjuro prepared for sleep that night, and headed off to bed. It was not until he laid his head down on his pillow that he saw the envelope on his nightstand. He picked it up and examined it carefully, noting that it did not have any kind of official seal. He opened the envelope slowly and out poured a thick block of paper with many words written on them. Sanjuro began to read. “The final draft, for an old friend.” He smiled softly at it in acknowledgment. “Also, if you show this to anyone I will crack your head in!” Sanjuro let out a little laugh. Somethings refused to change.

THE END

May 3-7, 2008
(FIVE DAYS)

Review read and cleaned up on September 15-16, 2014.