Chapter 1:

Aiya’s Story

Secrets of Loenhess


+ Aiya, now the squad leader for a very tight knit elite special forces group (also known as the Military Knights) is assigned a mission to investigate a highly guarded secret facility on a small island off the coast of the Kingdom of Loenhess. The facility is thought to be controlled by a terrorist group known as the New Genesis Order or NGO. They are suspected of producing a biological toxin that could pose a very serios threat to the entire Kingdom’s population.

// Special Forces/Military Knights Headquarters - Mission Control/Situation Room

Knight Commander: Aiya, as you already know this is a critical mission with untold millions of live at stake. The citizen’s look up to us to keep them safe and secure from any threat to our way of life. We must not fail! Do whatever you must to retrieve the toxin.

Aiya: Yes Sir! I understand completely. We must protect the Kingdom and its people and do whatever it takes to complete the mission.

//Aiya sharply salutes the Commander and walks out of the room.

Knight Commander: (in a lowered voice) …and may the gods of the kingdom watch over you on this one.

//Now aboard the commercial shipping Tanker Kobiyashi (one that frequents the area, so not to arouse suspicion) There are submersibles hidden on the deck waiting to be lowered into the water.

//Knight Squad 1 gathers on the deck of the ship in full battle gear waiting to board the submersibles.

Aiya: Okay Knights let’s do this just like we trained for the past two weeks. No mistakes, easy in, get the toxin, and easy out. Check you gear one last time before we board the submersibles.

Artoro: (Aiya’s second in command) Okay you’ve heard the lady, everyone check your comms, and Nitiski make sure you have your night googles this time.

Nitiski: Got it chief!

Artoro: We leave in 2 minutes Knights, so get it together.

Knight Squad: (in unison): Yes Sir! To Hell and back!

Artoro: (he turns toward Aiya, smiles and winks) Piece of cake.

//Shortly afterwards the squad boards the submersibles and head out to the island.

//A short while later they reach the beach…equipped with their night vison googles the squad races up to the beach.

//Artoro and Nitiski lead the way and move forward to quickly eliminate the two forward guards patrolling the beach.

Artoro: (over comms) Forward guards eliminated. All clear to move onto the next target.

Aiya: (over comms) Roger that, everyone on my signal move to the next position.

//Aiya signals the group to move forward.

//as the squad rushes forward onto the beach toward the facility, flares from behind the tree line suddenly light up the entire beach

Aiya: (stunned) s—t what is this! This wasn’t part of the plan!

// Then out of the tree line a heavily armored assault vehicle followed by a group of enemy soldiers race toward the group.

Aiya yells: everyone take cover!

//the group returns fire on the oncoming soldiers, but they are no match for the assault vehicle.

//Desperate to save the unit from the onslaught of the assault vehicle I immediately began to search for an area to fall back to and regroup. I then noticed a large formation of rocks just to our right about 50 meters away.

Aiya: Everyone, fall back to the rocks!

//The group races to hide behind the large formation of rocks on the shoreline.

//Nitiski has been caught in the gun fire and is shot in the leg and goes down on the beach.

//Aiya see’s Nitiski has been shot.

Aiya: Nitiski, no!

//Aiya instantly races to get Nitiski, with Artoro following closely behind providing cover fire. Aiya, who is amazingly strong, puts Nitiski on her back and carries him to safety.

Aiya: Let’s get you patched up Corporal.

Nitiski: I’m good LT, it’s just a scratch.

//Aiya then begins to access the situation and the available options.

Aiya: What do you think Artoro? Can we finish this, or do we run away with our tails tucked underneath like a couple of cowardly dogs!?!

Artoro: I’m with you till the end LT, to hell and back, just give the order.

// Aiya looks over the squad and contemplates her decision. Feeling a great sense of duty and honor she decides to complete the mission and not fail…

Aiya: Are we not the biggest and baddest group of Knights ever! we fight to the end, that’s what we’ve trained for! We do it for the kingdom and its people!

//Aiya peers around the rock at the armored vehicle.

Aiya: We need to disable the armored vehicle.

Artoro: So, what’s the pl….

Aiya: …just wait for my signal…

//Aiya without further thought and going entirely on instinct alone rushes toward the assault vehicle before Artoro finishes what he was going to say…she has a blank emotionless look on her face

Artoro: of course, improvise like always…all right squad we know the drill let’s give the LT some cover fire!

//the squad provides cover fire for Aiya as she races full speed straight for the armored vehicle.

//The driver of the armored vehicle sees her coming and speeds up with the intent of running her over.

//Aiya could feel an animal like instinct emerge from within her and I started a low-level growl. The energy now surging through her entire body allowed her to pick up the pace even more. Her vision became extremely clear and sharply focused to the point where she could see the expression of shock on the drivers face as she sped at a blinding pace toward the vehicle.

//A split second before they collide Aiya slides on her back and underneath the vehicle. It’s an intensely tight squeeze, and she can fell the burn of the underside of the armored vehicle, but Aiya manages to place a magnetic device on the bottom of the vehicle.

//Once the vehicle has passed over Aiya, she sits up on her knees and grabs a device from her pocket. Aiya takes a deep breath and growls even more intensely and squeezes the trigger to the explosive device. The armored vehicle is blown to pieces.

//Shrapnel from the armored vehicle went flying all around, but Aiya just blankly stared at her hands which were badly burned and bleeding trying to figure out why she felt no pain.

//Artoro runs up to Aiya and touches her on the back, she growls at Artoro as if she didn’t recognize him at first, but then shakes her head and comes out of her trance like state.

Artoro (in a stunned voice): You good?

Aiya: Yeah, yeah, piece of cake right…(she signals to the rest of the squad) let’s move in!

//But suddenly more reinforcements arrive from the behind the tree line and storm toward the squad. They are now greatly outnumbered.

//Aiya sees the horde moving toward them.

Aiya growls lowly and says in a deep voice: I’ll kill you all!

//The squad follows Aiya’s lead and fights back. They eliminate many of the enemy soldiers, but one by one the squad members are being eliminated themselves.

//Aiya is savagely moving from one enemy solider to another slicing and slitting them with just a knife. She does this at such a blinding speed that the enemy barely has any time at all to react. She then picks up one of the enemy guns and kneels down to return fires. However, in her rage she doesn’t notice that a grenade has been tossed right next to her. Artoro sees the grenade out of the corner of his eye.

Artoro: Aiya! Aiya! No, No!

// Artoro, dives on top of Aiya to shield her from the blast.

//Artoro is lying on top of Aiya, but now dead. The blast had severed his spine and he was killed instantly.

//Now barley conscious and with her ears ringing loudly from the blast Aiya crawls from underneath Artoro and looks all around the beach to see her entire squad dead.

Aiya grunts: (on her knees with her hands covering her ears) Ughhh! What have I done?

//The enemy soldiers and checking each body to make sure no one has survived. They put an extra bullet to the head in each of the squad members to make sure they are dead.

Aiya: No, this can’t be happening…. (softly) it wasn’t part of the plan…

//Badly wounded and bleeding Aiya crawls her way back to the submersible and sets it on auto pilot.

//The submersible begins to dive under the water, but then loses consciousness and does not remember anything after that point.

//Aiya awakens in the hospital screaming from a nightmare of the mission. She has been unconscious for three days.

Aiya: What, where am I? No! It wasn’t a dream, but why am I still alive?

+ Aiya’s back story – Aiya was the pride and joy of her father, when he was home Aiya would follow her father everywhere and mimic every one of his moves.

//Aiya playfully salutes her dad

Aiya: Gooood Morning sir

// Dad salutes back playfully

Dad: Well good morning to you my beautiful little princess warrior

//He was her hero and she dreamed of being just like him and joining the Military.

//Aiya also thought her mother was the most beautiful person in the world and was often seen putting on make-up to make herself look just like her mother.

Aiya: Well, how do I look? (She says to her mom)

//Her mother would constantly tell her just like the butterfly one day you to will blossom into a beautiful young lady.

Mom: (her mom laughs) Like a beautiful little butterfly. Before you go outside don’t forget to take your pill.

//Aiya also very much looked up to her sister, Hana, who she followed around non-stop when her father or mother was not there.

Aiya: Hana, it’s a beautiful day out, let’s go outside and play, pleeease?

//However, the feeling was not mutual from Hana.

//Hana still in bed with covers pulled over her head

Hana: Go away you little brat!

//After the tragic death of her mother, which was ruled a suicide, Aiya was sent to the same Military school as her father, the renowned Nagatori Military Academy.

//Aiya quickly became the beloved school icon…girls salute her as she walks by in the hallway…

Girls: Good morning ma’am!

Aiya: (looking very chipper) Good morning ladies.

//Aiya was a natural leader, but also had compassion and understanding for her fellow cadets.

//Aiya helps a fellow cadet on the obstacle course get back up.

Aiya: Never quit! I know you can do it! Just follow me!

//She was the ideal cadet who excelled in every category of combat. Aiya actually had more strength and stamina than all the other cadets at the school, even the boys. Her tiny body was quite the marvel.

//Aiya flipping a fellow male cadet twice her size over her shoulder.

Aiya: Hiyaaa!

//and she excelled academically in the classroom at the Academy as well.

Aiya: (with a chemistry beaker in hand mixing around the ingredients) Perfect! This should do it!

//She was the youngest cadet ever and first female to be named the Supreme Cadet Commander.

School Commandant: Please let me introduce you to our youngest Supreme Cadet Commander ever at Nagatori Military Academy, Aiya Hitori…

//student body cheers loudly

//Aiya stands up and bows to the Commandant and the student body.

//Even while at the Academy Aiya remained in close contact with her father. He was extremely proud of her (although never saying it out loud).

//Aiya sees her father walking up the aisle and races over to give him a hug…

Aiya: Daddy!

Dad: Well now, how does it feel to be the new Supreme Cadet Commander

Aiya: (clears her throat and straightens her uniform skirt) Are you proud of me yet?

Dad: Well…(tears begin to form) let’s go celebrate this great occasion…(whispers to himself) your mother would be extremely proud of you too.

//It was clear to me from the beginning what direction Aiya would take in life, so upon graduation from the Academy, without any hesitation at all, she gladly accepted the Royal Military’s offer to join the elite special forces group. The Military High Command had no doubt whatsoever about her abilities and she was instantly given a commission as an Officer. Just like at the Academy, she quickly surpassed all the other recruits and moved up the ranks within the elite squad and was soon named the squad leader.

+ Back to the hospital – Soon after her awakening again, Aiya remembers the events of that night. Aiya, like usual, is also making a very quick recovery despite having several serious injuries.

//Soon after that fateful evening it was said the Military High Command had confirmed from other sources that there was never a deadly toxin being produced on the island, in fact, they believe the Military Knight unit and most likely Aiya were the true targets of attack. It seems a group of highly trained mercenaries from outside of Loenhess were hired to eliminate Aiya, and the squad was just collateral damage. The reason for the attack is yet unknown, but the Military High Command had their suspicions. It had become well know that Loenhess had become a land of many secrets, wrought with lies and betrayal.

//Aiya’s commander enters the room. He is very eager to hear what happened during the mission. He in particular questions her state of mind and rationale to continue the mission which caused the death of her entire squad. He wants to make sure Aiya is still mentally stable enough to lead another squad. Her decision making had become more and more rash over the past several missions. It’s as if she was developing an unnatural instinct to disregard her own safety and temporarily lose control.

Aiya: I admits that I was wrong in my decisions and actions on that night, and I put my squad needlessly in harm’s way. I lost control again, everything was moving so fast.

Knight Commander: Yes, I saw the footage from your camera, most of it is just a blur with blood splatters all around you. My Superiors understand the risk of the missions you are sent on and that there will be losses. They have asked that you take some time off and be thoroughly evaluated before returning to active duty. Take as much time as you need to recuperate and when you come back, we will reevaluate you then.

//Aiya is deeply saddened by the events, humiliated and disgraced by the consequences of her actions, she agrees to the temporary leave of absence….

Aiya: I thoroughly regret my actions and take full responsibility for what happened on that night. I will personally speak with each family member and offer up my most sincere and humble apologies.

Knight Commander: I think it’s best we handle that…. Aiya, you are our most valuable asset, more than you’ll ever know, and we don’t want to lose you… either mentally or physically.

Aiya: Yes Sir, I understand completely.

//The commander leaves and soon afterwards her father enters the room. He is very relieved that she is still alive, but very saddened by the events that have occurred. He knows what it is like to lose men in the course of a battle.

Dad: Hello my princess warrior, how are you?

Aiya: (head down she begins to cry) Daddy, I’m so sorry, I am totally ashamed of myself and I’m sure you feel that way also.

Dad sighs: I’m just glad you are okay. While I feel terrible for the families of your squad members, they do understand the risks involved with this kind of work. They respect your undeniable devotion and courage to the squad and know that they fought to the bitter end trying to protect this Kingdom.

Aiya: I’m finding it hard to rationalize my actions… (clinching her fist) my actions were inexcusable. I am solely responsible for the death of my entire unit. I will have to live with that burden for the rest of my life, and I have lost any right whatsoever to lead anyone back into battle.

Dad: Have you lost the right or your courage?

//Aiya looks away…

Aiya: Seemingly both, given my current mental status, my tendency toward self-destruction, how can I ask anyone to follow me into battle anymore”.

Dad: Humph, foolish nonsense I say. Is it really self-destruction or a natural instinct toward preservation of the ones you love the most? I believe it to be latter, and that requires an immense amount of courage.

Dad Continues: I asked Mika to retrieve the video of that night and we watched it together. Mika analyzed the forces you were up against, and he estimated there were over one thousand highly trained mercenaries. Your squad of 10 was outnumbered 100 to 1. In the end there were less than 100 of them left. However, satellite imaginary revealed another 1,000 men were in reserve in the back of the island. You were never intended to win this battle. What really killed your unit was the bad intel throughout this mission.”

//Dad then lifted my head up and said….

Dad: You fought you heart out trying to protect the ones you love, trying to protect the people of this Kingdom from what you believed and where told could be severe losses for Loenhess. You tried to preserve our way of life; you have always acted with that sole purpose in mind.

Dad continues: “So don’t let them tell you otherwise. You are the most courageous person I know.”

//He then kissed me on the forehead and as he was leaving the room, he stopped and said…

Dad: Whatever you decide, whatever direction you take from here just know that I am very proud of everything you have done and stood for, and I know you are a survivor and will see your way through this.

For the first time in a long while I felt my life had purpose and meaning again. Thanks all to my dad, my hero!