The Raikou

Duke Liam Diethel tossed the report papers on the table and sat down across the captured bombing suspect. The guy was calm and collected despite being handcuffed to his chair while being surrounded by armed police men.

"What time is it?" he inquired at his interrogator.

The duke took out his pocket watch. "9:30"

"You only have 15 minutes."

"Are you in a hurry? You are not going anywhere for a long time." The officers in the room sniggered at the chief's joke but the bombing suspect did not lose his composure. "Luchist Lasso, a once decorated officer, murdered the former police chief, now a hired assassin. You have been evading us for years. You know, you look less sinister without the goatee."

"I am the reason why you have your job right now, Diethel," the suspect smirked.

"Don't give yourself credit, Lasso. The former chief was bound to be sacked anyway. It was inevitable after a death row prisoner escaped under his nose and a hostage taking involving the deceased queen's son had gone awry."

There was a momentary look of surprise in Luchist's face.

"Oh you did not know that the queen who had personally introduced you into the police force had children? That confidential information is to be divulged only to high-ranking officers. You were already being considered for a top spot weeks before you've blown a hole into your superior's head."

"I do not regret my action. I would gladly riddle that motherfucker's face with bullets again."

"The man is already buried six feet under and you do not have any bullets with you. Such a waste of talent, Lasso. You know what, I can help you go back to the force if you would tell me the mastermind behind the plot to kill the Kaminari prince."

"What will you do if I don't?" the hired assassin challenged the chief.

Okay. It's time to put the bad cop on. Sorry but you ask for it.

Duke Liam took out the revolver from his pocket, loaded it with one bullet then poked it at Luchist's forehead.

"Maybe you could ask the former police chief."

"My my my Diethel, I did not know you have it in you," the hired assassin sneered.

"Nothing personal against you, Lasso. My wife was killed by an assassin to get back at me. I just hate your kind. Now, have you changed your mind?" the duke slightly pulled the trigger.

Luchist began to laugh hysterically. "Save that bullet for yourself, Diethel. Do you really think it was this easy? A seasoned assassin like me will be hard to spot in a crowd but you did because I let you. Do you know why?"

"Lock this bastard up," the duke instructed his men before he launched himself from his seat and quickly left the interrogation room.

"Men, there will be a second attempt to murder the prince of Kaminari. The third, fourth and fifth squads go to the academy right now and secure the Kaminari prince if he is still there. First and second squads, come to the port with me. In both locations, sniff the area for planted bombs and take in any suspicious person you encounter. Lilly, what time will the Kaminari royal ship leave?" he asked his secretary.

"9:30 this morning, sir."

The duke looked at his pocket watch. It was 9:40.

Aboard the Raikou, the Kaminari royal ship...

Bason stood firmly by the prince's cabin. "Leave! His Majesty wanted to rest," he told the cook's assistant who brought a platter of cakes and tea for the Kaminari heir. He was refusing entry to anyone except himself as part of a request from Prince Ren. Unable to convince the rigid bodyguard, the assistant slammed the tray of desserts by the receiving table near the cabin door. His master will be furious if he found out that his gift to the prince was not received.

Bason sampled one of the cakes from the tray after the assistant had left. He was bored. He missed the military training back at home when he was still shouting orders at newbies. He was relieved from his position as a general after the king found out that he was sending telegrams to Princess Jun in behalf of a foot soldier, Lee Pai Long who was her lover before she got married. He was not totally fired because of his good relationship with the prince but he was reinstated as a discreet bodyguard. The Kaminari heir was not aware of his demotion not until he admitted earlier after ceaseless questioning from the prince as to why the royal ship had already anchored weeks before the ball.

I should get used to this kind of life. I'm already getting old. Maybe my time was up.

Bason rested his back on the door to get some nap and while doing so he could hear a faint ticking from behind the door. He pressed his ear on the wood so that he could listen more to whatever it is that's making the sound from the prince's cabin. His heart stopped the moment he recognized what it was.

At the port of Morphia...

A terrified crowd was already gathering at the port by the time the Royal Police had arrived. Duke Liam Diethel watched in despair as the fiery ship was consumed by the sea piece by piece. He was too late. He miscalculated and people died.

"Sir," a police officer saluted the duke. "It's confirmed. That's the Raikou, the Kaminari royal ship."

The chief could do nothing but to nod.

"Sir…" the officer hesitated.

"Is there something else?"

"I've talked to our men stationed here. They claimed that they saw your son board the ship together with the Kaminari prince."