Nathan Pedde - Tokyo Tempest

“I’m sure she’s sleeping.” Anthony said, “That girl can sleep through anything.”

The Captain chuckled and looked back at the paper.

“You know Japanese,” Darren said in Japanese.

“I know a bit.” Anthony said, “Mika has been teaching me.”

Darren and Yuki entered the side room. Darren put his sword next to the door. The three of them sat down at a low Japanese style table.

“I’d offer you tea, but it’s very early, and the fires are still cold.”

“I’d offer you something stronger,” Darren said, “but you’re a kid, and our supplies are still being brought up the hill.”

“What happened to you?” Yuki asked in English.

Anthony looked at the table.

“I wasn’t sick that night.” Anthony said in English, “I went to a meet and greet of Anastasia Yusio.”

“The internet star?” Darren asked.

“Yes.” Anthony said, “Only reason I came to this country was so I could meet her.”

“Did you meet her?” Darren said.

“Yes.” Anthony said, “I managed to hang out with her for a couple hours that night. I lost track of time, and we went around Tokyo. Then the earthquake hit. Her bodyguards swept her away, and I was left in the middle of who knows where.”

“That must of been scary,” Darren said.

“It was kinda exciting.” Anthony said, “Until Lt Harrito found me wandering around Tokyo alone. He took me to the shelter where the Captain was.”

“You were what?” Yuki said.

“I was at the shelter,” Anthony said.

“Son of a…” Darren said.

Darren told Anthony about his night, leaving out select details. He told him about the building collapsing and pulling out Sakiko from the rubble. He told him about sleeping the night on top of the hill. He also told him about talking to the Captain and leaving.

“Wait,” Yuki said, “If you were at the shelter and you asked the Captain about your family, why didn’t he say anything?”

“Cause the boy didn’t meet my Mika until he was there for three days.” The Captain said walking into the room, “After that they were inseparable.” He looked at Anthony, “Put some clothes on.”

Anthony bowed, “Yes Sensei.”

Anthony left the room.

“He met my Mika,” The Captain said, “And they became friends. Then I met him and realized that I had met you before. When we moved from the shelter to the perimeter, I took him with us.”

Anthony walked back in the room wearing a pair of blue jeans.

“Why didn’t you say anything to me?” Anthony said.

“Cause you, in your stubbornness, would have left the shelter to try and find him.” The Captain said, “Did you wake Mika when you grabbed your pants?”

“No, I didn’t.” Anthony said, “She needs to sleep.”

“You’re sleeping in the same room as Mika?” Darren asked.

“So.” Anthony said, “Space is limited here. And we’re too young to do anything. The Captain will kill me if I do. He has told me as much.”

“Mika insisted upon it.” The Captain said, “It was her idea on how to solve the space issue.”

Darren told them an abbreviated version of their travels from the storage unit to meeting the Captain again.

“That burnt truck was you two?” The Captain said, “My scouts reported about that. Some big rumor of the Night Riders riding out of Tokyo and away.”

“Night Riders?” Darren asked.

“Yeh.” The Captain said, “When we abandoned the post, it was empty for eight hours. Reports say that it let out gangs on bikes and on foot. The Word is that a big gang on dirt bikes left first. They’ve been dubbed the Night Riders.”

“Color gangs,” Darren said.

“And Yakuza.” The Captain said, “And anyone that could get out.”

“Is that how you got out?” Anthony said.

“Yes.” Darren said, “We were trying to be stealthy.”

“Why were you heading out this way?” The Captain asked.

Yuki told them about her dad and his cabin in the woods.

“So your dad was a prepper.” The Captain said, “And you’re just trying to get there.”

“Yeh,” Yuki said yawning.

“How long ago did you two got some sleep?” The Captain said.

“Is it after midnight yet?” Darren asked.

“Way past.” The Captain said.

“Then about twenty-four hours ago,” Darren said.

“Then you two need to get some sleep.” The Captain said, “There’s a small side room off this one. You can use that. Anthony will grab a couple blankets for you two.”

Darren nodded.

“I’ll take the first watch,” Yuki said out of habit.

“Excuse me?” The Captain said, “We got the watch. You two sleep.”

“You mean that we both get to sleep at the same time?” Yuki said.

“Just no hanky-panky in the temple.” The Captain said.

“Thank you,” Yuki said.

Darren bowed to the Captain.

“Thank you for the hospitality and saving my life,” Darren said.

The Captain nodded and excused himself from the room.

Blankets in hand, Darren, and Yuki walked into the small side room. The room they were in was more like a closet than anything. But after the greater part of a month of not sleeping very well, the space was perfect.

Moments later, Darren and Yuki were sleeping underneath a blanket. Yuki snuggled up to Darren. He dreamed that he was being chased again. He tossed and turned in his fitful sleep.

Darren wasn’t sure how long he slept for, but Darren’s eyes shot open, and he couldn’t go back to sleep no matter how hard he tried.

He got up from the makeshift bed that he slept on with Yuki.

With Yuki still sleeping, Darren didn’t wake her as he put on his pants and a clean shirt. Darren grabbed his watch as left the small closet of a room.

In the small side room were three men and two women. They all sat around the small table. At the head of the table was the Captain.

Darren looked at his watch. It was six in the morning.

Maps and charts were scattered around the table. Two of the men wore some type of army fatigues, while one wore regular clothes. One of the women also wore army fatigues and the other wore street clothes. Darren noticed quickly that all of the people were middle-aged and that they were all Japanese.

“Ahh.” The Captain said at the head of the table in English, “You’re awake.”

“I prefer Japanese.” Darren said in Japanese, “And yes. I’ve gotten in the habit of not sleeping much before I get up to check on things.”

“The rewards of being in a leadership position. Am I right?” The Captain said.

“You can say that I guess.” Darren said, “If you excuse me, I didn’t mean to interrupt your meeting.”

Darren gave a small bow and walked towards the exit.

“Come and join us.” The Captain said, “We could use your input.”

Darren gave the Captain a skeptical look.

“You managed to skirt around the army and sneak past them.” The Captain said, “You got out of Tokyo.”

“So did you,” Darren said.

“I bluffed my way out.” The Captain said, “I used the lack of communication and organization to get out of the city with everyone here. You and your friend are the only people that have joined us since we left. You snuck through. I need your help.”

An army officer, a middle-aged man of stocky build, motioned to an empty seat next to him.

Darren sat down next to him. He was nervous

“For all of you that haven’t been introduced yet, this is Darren Cunningham. He is from Canada.” The Captain said.

Darren nodded to the dozen people at the table.

“You know Lt Harrito.” The Captain said, “The rest you can introduce yourself later, we’re running out of time for this meeting. Where were we?”