Second in Command, Lieutenant Rhythm leaves the Drake Cadets begging for more information as he calmly executes his mission in 1867 Tokyo, Japan. What is Aku Soku Zan?
The Flow of Rhythm
The drake cadets are in the library, sitting around the captain in his reading chair as he shares the lesson for that day.
Kyte is only half-listening to the captain as he whispers to Harmony, “Tell me something intimate; a secret that you’ve never told anyone. Kyte hesitates, Or… do robots even have secrets? Maybe just tell me a about something really cool or naughty that you’ve done.”
Harmony shares, “I have an action I can share. Last week I recorded Lieutenant Rhythm’s song. His rapper friend, Tony Tig, was there and we had a contest to see who could rap faster. I wasn’t too bad and, in the end, Tony and I actually rapped together in Rhythm’s song.”
Kyte laughs, ‘’Hip Hop Harmony is in the house! I like it. You have the ghetto blaster already.”
Harmony utilizing his new rap street slang vocabulary download replies robotically, “Affirmative, I can Bang. I can kick a good rhyme and drop dope bars.”
Kyte, trying to keep his laughter under control, “ I’m sure you can, Harmony … I’m sure you can.”
The captain explains, “Today, I’m sharing the first Chapter of The Book of Knowledge with you, “Let the Rhythm Guide You.” This statement, “Let the Rhythm Guide You from Harmony in his song, “Harmony’s Power” means to trust in the rhythm or flow of life because you have faith that it will bring only what is best for you.”
Kyte whispers to Harmony, sharing his surprise at him being quoted in some fancy looking book. Harmony replies simply, “Living Knowledge.”
The Captain continues,
“Events that bring certain people into your presence; things that happen to you, even when they seem negative; whatever you are presented with in each moment is all part of the plan for YOU. The plan to help you evolve into your highest potential; into a loving, peaceful and powerful creator of peace and love. From this realization and more important, from its acceptance, you will hesitate before judging any situation as bad, unpleasant or frightening, simply because the outcome doesn’t match that of your mind’s preconceived expectation. With the curiosity and wonder of a child, you can embrace this present moment and welcome it for the lessons and growth it may bring.
With practice, you devote your attention and heart to it because you know that the rhythm of life is guiding you back to your rightful birthplace; before you lost sight of who you really are.
There is some mumbling amongst the cadets but the Captain’s passion quickly earns complete silence, “The words will resonate with each of you differently as they are filtered through your unique personality and life experiences. For me, the simple line, “Found in love, you can feel his groove,’ from Rhythm’s song, “The Flow of Rhythm,” explains it well. Whenever the rhythm of life does not make sense to you, your task is to go in to your heart and feel the situation. As if you are called to a place and time as an expert to mend the situation for the flow and the rhythm of Life. Your expert repair service requires you to step back and withhold judgement in order to do your very best to be of service to the situation. With an open heart, you can listen to whatever life is communicating to you and where it is guiding you. Your service will bring love, lightness and a deeper understanding.
In conclusion, Every situation has been granted inherently to be in the full light of the love of God (Life, Universe, or whatever name you find suiting) for the attempt to comprehend and explain the mystery around us in time and place – shorter than a blink of an eye to Eternity.
After a long silent pause, the Captain dismisses the Drake Cadets, “This concludes today’s session. All drake cadets Level 4 or higher are to attend today’s mission and take notes. Lieutenant Rhythm is leading the mission.”
Kyte blurts out, “Did you hear that Harmony? I’ve never seen Lieutenant Rhythm on a mission. This is going to be epic!”
Harmony, “Affirmative… Fo Sho. True Dat.”
Scene 2: The Conference Room, NOAH1
The Captain, Rhythm and all Level 4 Cadets of NOAH1 are sitting around the round conference table with a big virtual display in the middle of it.
Captain, “Lieutenant Rhythm, this is a level 7 mission. And it is not for the faint-hearted.”
Rhythm, “I understand. Destination?”
Captain, “September 5th, fall of 1867, Tokyo, Japan.
Rhythm, “The last days of the Tokugawa era and the beginning of the Meiji Restoration.”
Captain, “Correct.”
Kyte, whispering to Harmony, “Can you believe these guys? They’re just like robots exchanging information. Um… no offense.”
Harmony, “None taken”
Rhythm, “I am ready, Captain. Harmony, activate Realigram. Upon arrival, materialize me wearing a robe over my suit in the proper style of the time.”
Kyte, whispering, “I didn’t know you could do that, Harmony! I wouldn’t have had to look through all those wardrobes last mission.”
Harmony, pressing a button on his chest, “Activating Realigram, destination Tokyo 1867.”
Scene 3: 05 September 1867 — Toyko, Japan
A master Swordsman teacher is giving a lesson in his dojo when Rhythm materializes in a bush in the yard in front of the school. Short after, two swordsmen approach him and talk. Something in his face changes. The men leave. The master, seemingly crushed by whatever was communicated. With terror on his face, he dismisses the class.
A master Swordsman teacher is giving a lesson in his dojo when Rhythm materializes in a bush in the yard in front of the school. Short after, two swordsmen approach him and talk. Something in his face changes. The men leave. The master, seemingly crushed by whatever was communicated. With terror on his face, he dismisses the class.
Kyte agitated and impatient whispers to Harmony, “This is soo boring! How can he sit so still?”
Another two hours later, at 19:01, three men appear at the house.
Harmony, “Kyte, attention advised. Probable action imminent.”
Kyte, jumping out of his seat in an unfinished snore, “shchkrrr ..Oh what, who, ah! Thanks Harmony.”
The master swordsman opens the door and lets the three men in.
Rhythm, “This does not look good, Captain. Requesting permission to approach immediately.”
Captain, “Granted.”
From his still position, with unbelievable speed and agility, Rhythm moves like a shadow to the front door, which was still slightly open.
As he enters the next room of the house, the three men are standing in the doorway, noticing him. Next to them, on the ground, the dead body of the Master Swordsman.
The three men are waiting for Rhythm to look with terror upon the sight of the dead man.
Rhythm walks in unhurriedly, passing the three men, who were stunned for a moment at his ease, while he slowly looks around.
Next to the dead body, he kneels down and takes a closer look. “Mhmm, I see,” he says, as he slowly stands up again, now facing the three men, who are more and more unsure of to what to make of this man with his undisturbed presence and sober assessment. A presence who seems to have seen the darkest of humanity and could be capable of it.
Rhythm, “Gentlemen, I have no desire to prolong this situation. I hear an accelerated, but appropriate for the situation, breathing of two other humans in the adjacent room. Telling from the frequency and tone of the breathing, the child and the wife are still alive and unhurt. And let me assure you, I hope from the bottom of my heart for your sake that my assessment is correct. I do not know what the business of you and this swordman was. And I will withhold judgement in this time of war. Leave this place immediately and leave the family unharmed now and from this day on.”
“And what if not?” asked one of the three men with a devilish smile, slowly drawing his sword.
Rhythm has a look of purpose, clarity, but also something like excitement in his face. A tiny smirk appears as he says, “Aku Soku Zan.” (悪即斬)
Scene 4: Conference Room, NOAH1
All of a sudden, the visual and auditory transmission of the mission stops.
Kyte yells, “Nooo, nooo! The picture transmission stopped! Captain, quick. What will happen? What does “Aku Soku Zan”, mean?”
Captain, “Cadets. Thank you for your time and attention. Your training session is completed for today. I hope that you paid close attention to how elegantly and effectively Rhythm handled the mission. You are dismissed.”
“Ah man, I wanted to see Lieutenant Rhythm kick those guys’ bottoms! Bam! Kaboom!” Kyte exclaimed as he was kicking and punching in the air until he caught the Captains serious look. “oooo-kay … I’m leaving too.”
As he’s leaving, Kyte whispers to Harmony, “Hey, do you keep copies of the Realigrams?”