2019 AD.
Renee Ramse stood outside the Tokyo International Airport. With only a vast canopy rescuing her from a torrential downpour. Seasonably warm yet the rain brought the temperature lower than normal. This was her first ever visit to Japan and the sheer bustle of it made her nervous. For a strong willed woman that had gone through Navy Seal training that said something.
It wasn't so much the traffic or the volume of pedestrians than it was why she even came to this country. Had she lost her mind? Accepting a free ticket from someone she didn't know in hopes of learning the truth of her lost child, presumed dead at birth. She buried the child for Christ's sake. Although it was always possible the deceased infant might not have even been hers. She did have questions but all evidence pointed to losing the baby. Until yesterday in Paris France. When a televised billboard came to life and a toddler spoke to her from God knows where. Could he really be alive? Here in Tokyo? Then came a shadowy figure who revealed to her a sword looking very old. With a blade still shiny as if forged weeks ago. One with a reflection that was unmistakable. The vision of her lost Husband, Jack Ramse.
She had to know the truth.
"Crazy Blondie. I should have had the baby's grave exhumed and DNA tests done before taking this kind of risk. Still, how do I explain that vision of Jack in the sword? Worse yet, I haven't even warned Ben-Zion that I made this trip. His job has him running all over the world. It's not like I can ask him to drop what he's been doing just to join me on a wild goose chase. Right?"
Stewing she shivers hearing the cars going by sloshing amid puddles of rain. Every little sound had her senses jumping. Finally a white Limo pulls up next to the curb in front of her. Pausing to absorb the possibilities she observes a well dressed middle aged driver get out and shuffle around the car. Bowing out of cultural respect the driver stands upright.
"Welcome to Japan, Mrs. Ramse. I am your driver and translator Kinchu Mori. If you please." He scurries back to open the car door for her. Hesitantly, she drags her luggage along until he claims her bags. After she agrees to enter she settles into a plush seat while he shuts the door. He then pops a trunk hatch and places her bags in the back. Once returned to his drivers seat he lowers a glass window separating the front from the rear cabin.
"Our ride will take some time. Please partake in the refrigerator. It has much to eat and drink. Nap if you like."
"How long? Where are we going?" She almost regrets getting in.
"Two hours. We go into the Mountains. It is very beautiful there."
"Who am I going to see?"
"Master Greyson. He is excited to finally meet you."
"Okay? Who exactly is this Greyson?"
Kinchu begins driving. Merging into traffic he continues to communicate, "It is not my place to offer such information. Please forgive. You would not be his honorable guest if he did not wish to help you."
"I'm not quite sure what he can help me with."
"Much. Patience please."
"Not much choice. I'll just kick back. Jet lag."
"Rest well Mrs. Ramse." Kinchu raises the window and leaves her in peace. She did take a short nap.
Flying over the Pacific at unprecedented speeds General Obadiah Ridge sat next to Serena Dorsey. Her boyfriend the alien Nordic SeVen helming the controls. Being inside his first ever alien craft made him uneasy. Still, he marveled at the technology within. The comfort exceeded his expectation. It even had a new car smell.
"So where exactly are we headed again?"
"Japan, General. We are expected. I arranged contact with a valuable resource in the country. On this world. He is well known in the cyber world yet quite reclusive. For a very good reason as you shall learn." SeVen responds without looking behind him.
"Well known? You said his name was Milo Greyson right? Funny I have never heard of the guy. Is he one of you Nordics?"
"Pleidians. The term Nordic was given to us centuries ago by your race. It is quite appalling."
Serena sighs reaching over to pat Obadiah on the leg, "Be kind. He might sue you for a racial slur."
"Right." The General eyes her hand lingering. On it was the blue diamond ring found on her alien Mother's severed finger. The idea of the Hope diamonds curse made him growl faintly. Serena was amused by his discomforting expression.
"You worry too much Obadiah. I should think I as the owner would perish long before you. We are over the Pacific. It's possible we could go down in a fiery freefall to certain death. At least we all perish together as friends."
"I'm not dying until I know my wife and daughter are home safely. Let's just get this meeting with Greyson started. If he's as smart as SeVen lets on then he can decipher Dorsey's journal. I also have a microchip that was given to me I haven't risked using on a traditional computer. I don't want the info hacked nor put anyone's life in jeopardy."
"Wise indeed." SeVen offers.
"So, SeVen fill me in on Greyson. If he is so well known."
"Milo is one of the richest men on the planet. For his age."
"Age? You said immortal of a sort. How old is he?"
"That is unknown. His wealth comes from procuring artifacts of great antiquity. His genius at building technology is also insurmountable. Some say that he can see trouble coming before it is thought of."
"Psychic?"
"Perhaps. That or he has technology that predicts the outcome of all things. He is certainly not a man to be trifled with. With wealth comes security. Respect. Even Japan's Yakuza fear him. They refer to him as the Devil's right hand."
"Doesn't the Yakuza cut the fingers off a right hand if betrayed?"
"Indeed. He is not their enemy. They merely stand back out of fear. Immortality does that. It is said that he committed what the Japanese refer to as Hari Kari many times. Not once did he die. Therefore the Yakuza has deemed him worthy to live and be forgiven of all failures. Dishonor becomes honor."
"Yeah, okay. Now that I know aliens do exist and time travel is possible I'll believe in anything."
"Earth is the jewel of the universe."
Serena's eyes sparkle as she lifts her ring before her eyes, "Does that mean I own the Earth?"
"Not for sale." Obadiah frowns.
"Really? Look. See what I see?" She offers him a closer inspection of the gem inset. Within the facets he notes very tiny planet Earth's like a kaleidoscope. His eyes bulge at the visions.
"There's more to that Wedding ring than we know." Obadiah swallows.
"Perhaps Milo can discover its true purpose." SeVen adds.
With a beguiling smile Serena teases, "Is this Milo handsome?"
SeVen smirks ever so lightly, "I am...taller."