The tables stood a mere two feet off the ground. Tatami mats covered the floor from wall to wall. They had all left their shoes by the doorway. Freeman said, “We came here looking for Emerson Illych.” “I don’t know such a man,” said one of Yamashiro’s aides. Freeman said, “He was one of the SEALs assigned to your fleet.” “Illych? The SEAL . . . Ah, yes, yes, yes . . . the SEAL. He was their original leader,” said Yamashiro. He turned to the aide, and said, “Kage no yasha.” “Oh, kage no yasha.” The man nodded. Yamashiro said, “The master chief died an honorable death. He was one of the first men to die. The Avatari discovered him as he explored the outermost planet in their solar system. His team committed suicide protecting our fleet. They detonated their stealth infiltration pods, destroying the aliens and most of the planet as well.”
