He stared in horror along the southern shore to the left, the rifles of soldiers and police officers firing further east, flashes seeming to fill the bank as his head turned further. Then his heart rate soared, glimpsing distant tall black figures ducking from the treeline and surging out into the stationary traffic, arms seeming to slash downwards at the running pedestrians, many falling and being bludgeoned on the tarmac, a number of cars bursting into flames as mortar rounds fell dangerously close to the traffic.
Leaning against the steel barrier as people pushed past, he stared down into the churning water in horror, many desperate people jumping into the frothing surf in desperation and attempting to swim across the wide river, his head shaking as he realised the current was far too strong. Many heads bobbed and abruptly disappeared, others struggling in the overwhelming under surges, his breath caught as he saw other figures in the waves…black armoured helmets grasping out for the humans attempting to swim above.
Gusung looked back, raising the rifle as he gritted his teeth, hatred for the invaders overwhelming any natural sense of restraint as he lunged upwards and forced his way into the carriageway to join with the advancing marines, the trees burning fiercely at the hill summit, the roar of gunfire filling his ears as he pushed past terrified civilians heading northwards.
Outskirts of Tokyo, Japan
Struggling with the cumbersome bags his mother had packed, the youthful teenager was breathing heavily, tears on his eyes as he heard the muffled explosions behind in the distant city centre, the cracks of rifle shots and sustained machine gun fire. Glimpsing the green signs to Setagaya ahead, he gritted his teeth further, realising the couple were at least progressing, his voice strained against the weight on his young arms, ‘Keep going Mama…we will be away soon.’
He nodded to soldiers on either side of the packed street, many marching forward, several volunteers placed to guide and assist the throng of people filling the tarmac. Cars were now prohibited from entering the thoroughfare to allow more civilians to flee, the army and police blocking side streets, the few remaining vehicles parked along the pavement sides. Japanese efficiency and contingency planning were reaping dividends in the most dreaded situation, several ironically considering the number of disaster movies they had seen had never prepared them for any actual reality.
Naomitsu Kanaya slowed to allow his mother to draw alongside, the woman still weeping uncontrollably at the loss of her husband, her son struggling to hide his own rising feelings as they approached the district where his father had historically taken them for riverside picnics and to teach his son fishing, perhaps the patience required for his elder years.
He slowly drew to a halt, thoughts beginning to consider the wide Tama River where he had stood with a fishing line, his father scolding him for moving, for startling the fish…the teenager’s head lowering as the older man had smiled fondly, rubbing his thick hair and chuckling. Then the thoughts suddenly darkened, a realisation the water was where he had seen the armoured figures first…the invaders scrambling over the quayside to slaughter the fish merchants and their helpers…perhaps he no longer wished to be anywhere near the river.
Trudging onwards amongst the crowded street, he glanced upwards as the whir of helicopter blades swept overhead, several more machines laden with soldiers progressing towards the city centre and the vicious battle, his eyes straining as he contemplated many of the men and women were perhaps making a final flight into the unknown. A small number were circling below the others above, black uniformed and body armoured soldiers with mounted heavy machine guns at the open doors, Japanese special forces now designated as protected for a later fight and ordered to supervise the retreating civilians, provide heavy support if required.
A hand suddenly clenched round his elbow, his head turning to stare into the eyes of his mother, her head nodding knowingly in encouragement as they continued to walk arm in arm, his biceps straining further against the weight of the bags. Staring ahead, he glimpsed the people parting in the distance, numerous different coloured high coaches in a wide car park as the wide street ended at a large square…all that escaped the city centre devastation were to be evacuated under military supervision.
Chapter Eighteen: The Far East 2
Prisoners no Longer…the Deep
The loud clank of bolts being pulled back awoke any that were barely asleep, a collective low murmur of dread rising to whimpers as two tall black armoured plated Morgons stepped into the cell, the impact of their boots resounding across the walls as the moaning rose on either side of the prison corridor, the scene repeated in five other enclosures out of sixteen.
The huddled group of seated or slumped captives shuffled away fearfully, most lowering their heads in ultimate dread, knowing four or five victims or even more would be chosen. The dark black helmets moved from side to side, studying the pitiful humans before them, Tony feeling the grip around his chest tighten as the Thai teenager sniffed and sobbed in fear behind, the Englishman’s hands tightening around smaller tanned wrists.
Tony swallowed hard, feeling bile and acidic liquid seeping upwards from his empty stomach as he stared up defiantly at the two robust figures, the helmet eyes now flickering and then glowing red, turning slowly as they selected potential offerings. The arms tightened closer around him, his chest stiffening as he felt the course sweated black hair against his back, the Thai teenager lowering his head to kiss Tony’s shoulder.
Then a black armoured fist rose, pointing towards the corner, gesturing to two couples to come forward, Tony’s chest shuddering as he felt a twinge behind him, a low sob as the slim Thai teenager realised they had been chosen. The seated bodies of the group shuffled to the side almost willingly,
