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Are you so sure?a soft voice whispered in Theodore's head.
Tetsuhara-sensei! ?
Your feelings are strong. That is good.Ninjo andgiri must be balanced. They are a circle, the yin and the yang. If one is too strong, the balance is broken. You must strive to maintain the balance.
I have striven, sensei. I've failed.
A man ca
I'm no coward, sensei.
Exactly. You are not your father. If you remember this, you will prosper. I will remember.
When you go forth into the world, you must be your own man. You ca
Theodore started. Those were the exact words Tetsuhara- senseihad used when they had parted on the occasion of Theodore's departure for Sun Zhang Academy. On reflection, he realized that all of the sensei'swords were things that he had said to Theodore at different times and in different places. The conversation was a construct of Theodore's mind. But artificial or not, he recognized the timely wisdom of the sensei'scounsel.
The Dragon possesses five virtues,he reminded himself. Bravery, audacity, and tenacity are but three. Even my father grants me those. The fourth is integrity, the one I had come close to abandoning. I must not allow myself to be so weak.
Perhaps, this is the begi
Glossary
Throughout this book, Kurita officers and other officials are referred to by their ancient Japanese rank names or titles. The equivalents in English are:
Tai-shu Warlord or General of the Army
Tai-sho General
Sho-sho Brigadier
Tai-sa Colonel
Chu-sa Lieutenant Colonel
Sho-sa Major
Tai-i Captain
Chu-i Lieutenant
Buso-senshi Mech Warrior or AeroSpace Pilot
Kanrei Deputy
Jokan Noble Lady
Shudocho Abbot, Master of an order
Jukurensha Adept
Shoshinsha Novice
Sensei Master Teacher
Some other Japanese phrases that appear in this book and their translations:
Baka Fool
Dekashita Nice going!
Do Kendo term: body armor covering abdominal area
Do itashi moshite You're welcome
Domo arigato Thank you very much
Gempuku Rite of passage upon reaching manhood
Giri Duty, obligation, justice
Hai Yes
Hakama Skirt-like male garment worn by samurai over kimono on ceremonial occasions
Hara Belly
Iie No
Kabuto Helmet
Kamishimo Samurai ceremonial dress— kataginu and hakama color-coordinated
Kataginu The triangle of cloth covering the shoulders and breast in ceremonial dress
Katakana Japanese lettering
Katana Sword
Kendo Fencing—literally, "The Way of the Sword"
Ki Heart, mind, spirit, feeling
Kobun Soldiers of the yakuza
Ko
Kuromaku "Fixer," gang go-between
Meiyo Reputation, honor
Meiyo to naru "Respected teacher" sensei
Men Kendo facemask
Ninjo Humanity, sympathy
Ninjutsu Literally, "Art of Invisibility," the skill of the ninja
O-medeto Congratulations!
Obi Sash that goes with kimono
Ohayo Good morning
Otomo Palace guards
Otosan Father
Oyabun Yakuza ringleader
Ryu no tomo "Dragon's Friends"
Seimeiyoshi- Federation of gangs rengo
Senshi Warrior
Seppuku Samurai ritual suicide
Shikata ga nai Approximately, "It can't be helped"
Shimatta Exclamation of dismay
Shinai Bamboo sword in kendo
Shite
Shizen Nature
Shogi Chess
Shoji Paper door or panel
Shuriken Throwing star or small dagger
So ka 1. Oh? How interesting!
2. Is that right?
Sugu At once, immediately
Tachi Nature, disposition—second nature
Tatami Straw floor-matting
Teki Enemy, opponent, rival
Tengu Long-nosed goblin
Tono Lord
Wakarimasu-ka? Do you understand?
Wakizashi Shortsword
Yubitsume Yakuza finger-cutting atonement
List of Abbreviations:
AFFS Armed Forces of the Federated Suns
DCMS Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery
DEST Draconis Elite Strike Team
HPG Hyperspulse Generator. An inter- stellar communications device used by ComStar
IFF Identification: Friend or Foe
ISF Internal Security Force. The Kurita secret service
LCAF Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces
LRM Long-range missiles, indirect fire missiles with high explosive warheads
NAIS New Avalon Institute of Science
O5P Order of the Five Pillars
PPC Particle projector ca
ROM ComStar's secret service
SRM Short-range missiles, direct trajec- tory missiles with high explosive or armor-piercing explosive warheads
VTOL Vertical Takeoff/Landing, including helicopters and directed thrust aircraft