Lady Samurai

Chapter 5

They arrived at the rendez-vous point only slightly delayed. A powerful storm had forced them off course for a short time, but they caught up with the rest of the fleet east of Japan. However, because of that delay they missed the first meeting between Commodore Perry and the Japanese.

As soon as it was possible Mr Johnston transferred to the Susquehanna, Commodore Perry's flagship. Captain Norton and his financiers went along to find out what was planned and what would happen now.

Lottie stayed behind.

Nobody invited her. Strangely, it didn't occur to anyone that her insight and a unique perspective might be valuable in the circumstances.

She stood alone on the deck, gazing into the distance, where Mount Fuji stood prominent in all its glory, its conical peak still covered in snow. Her heart contracted painfully. She had not expected to ever see it again, yet she was here now.

One of the sailors spotted her there and came to stand beside her. "What's that?" he asked, curiously.

"A volcano. They call it Fujisan, Mount Fuji. It's one of Japan's three Holy Mountains," she explained.

"Looks pretty," he offered and walked away, not bothered by sentimentality.

She could only smile. For her it was so much more than 'pretty'. It meant 'home'...

She stayed at the bow, deep in thought until, about two hours later, a rowing boat arrived from the flagship, with the Commander's aid requesting her presence during the meeting with the Commodore in his state room.

*

Perry was a stern looking gentleman, with a permanent frown and turned down lips. He looked at her with disdain and wasn't even trying to hide his disapproval.

"Ms Mitchell, I am told that you possess a very unique perspective on Japan," he stated.

"You could say that, Sir," she stood up straighter. She wasn't going to let him intimidate her.

"Pray tell us, how said perspective was obtained." It wasn't a question. It was an order.

"It is unimportant at the moment, Sir. Instead, I would like to know what are your plans?"

Perry's frown deepened. Nobody dared to speak to him this way. He was about to launch into a lecture on the merits of respect to one's superiors, when the door opened quietly and a young officer walked in.

"I am sorry to interrupt, Sir," he saluted, standing to attention. "We had some trouble with one of the ships. But everything is ready now for the departure."

"Ah, Lieutenant Commander. No matter... Gentlemen," the Commodore consciously ignored the woman. "This is Lieutenant Commander James Morrison. We were just discussing the situation," he, in turn, explained to the newcomer.

"What exactly is the situation?" Mr Johnston interrupted to avoid further escalation between the Commodore and their translator.

"The Japanese have agreed to conduct the negotiations. We are to land at Kanagawa, where we will meet with my Japanese counterpart. Now, that we have an interpreter," Commodore's expression clearly conveyed his doubts, "things should go much faster than I had initially anticipated."

Morrison also appraised the woman with obvious misgivings.

In truth, she couldn't blame him for that. She knew very well how she must appear to a stranger: sweaty and untidy, she didn't arouse much confidence. But she was here to do a specific job, not to be popular.

"Sir, if I may," she glanced at the Commodore, without showing any signs of intimidation. He nodded briefly, giving her permission to speak. "How many ships do you have at your disposal?" she continued.

Perry was silent, as if ignoring her right to interrogate him, so it was Morrison who answered. "Ten ships, with 1600 men."

"That's good. The Japanese respond only to confidence and to a show of strength. If you behave like you own the place already, they will assume that you have the means to defeat them in any confrontation. I suggest that we go straight to Kanagawa and settle there while we wait for the Shōgun's representatives."

"Shōgun's?" Perry's frown deepened as he did not understand what she meant.

She nodded. "Although Japan is officially ruled by the Emperor, he has very little real power. All the military and administrative power lies with the Shōgun, who is the greatest of the generals."

"And you know this how, exactly?" Morrison was suddenly suspicious.

"I've been here before," she cut in. "It's not important. What's important is projecting confidence and behaving like we have no doubts regarding the treaty. We need to show them it's only a courtesy on our part that we even ask. But, at the same time, we need to appear polite, thank for everything and deliver our gifts to the local lord to make a good impression."

"This could work," Mr Johnston mused, quietly pleased that she was able to hold her own in face of adversity, therefore proving she was the right person for the job.

"It will work!" she assured them with conviction. "Just follow my instructions."

A couple of minutes later Perry nodded as a sign that he agreed with her advice.
After that the audience was finished.

Lt. Commander Morrison was ordered to join Captain Norton's ship in order to learn more about the local customs and protocols. He wasn't very happy about it, although he tried to mask it with a show of concern for his duties.

"I want you to learn everything that is to be learned," the Commodore had made up his mind and wasn't going to change it. "You will join Mr Johnston and his companions while we wait for my counterpart to arrive. It will not do for me to sit there on my hands, like some applicant. I will only join you when the negotiations commence."

"Yes, Sir," Morrison had no other choice, but to obey. His expression, however, told a very different story.

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