Nathan Pedde - Tokyo Tempest

“I am getting to that.” Lt Harrito said, “To know what to do, you need to understand why.”

“Why?”

“Yes.” Lt Harrito said.

“We know why.”

“And I will repeat it,” Lt Harrito said, “For those with low intelligence.”

“Why you…”

“The army is going to flex its muscles.” Darren said as he interrupted Hiki, “It will attack. It will find you and stamp you down. It has no choice.”

“That’s what I was saying,” Hiki said.

“Shut it,” Darren said.

“Why will it attack?” Captain Yusako said.

“Cause you bloodied its nose and people will see it as weakness.” Lt Harrito said.

“Exactly.” Darren said, “And more importantly, there’s going to be a die off.”

“Die off?” Hiki said.

“Yes.” Darren said, “It’s Yuki’s term. In the next few months, there’s going to be a drastic population reduction. The stupid, the weak, and the sick will die. The famine is going to be very bad.”

“What do we…” Hiki began.

“Shut it,” Darren said.

“What we need to do,” Lt Harrito said, “is to secure an area that you can protect until the army leaves us alone, and until the hordes of hungry refugees move on.”

“And then,” Captain Yusako said.

“And then you need farmland that you can grow your own food,” Darren said.

“We discussed that at length back in the shelter and the perimeter post.” Hiki said, “This discussion brings nothing new.”

Captain Yusako looked at each of the members of the council.

“I want a full report on each department.” The Captain said, “I want to know our food situation, water, and plans on defending this place.”

The council members looked at each other with worried expressions.

“Dismissed.” Captain Yusako said.

The council members filed out of the small room. Hiki glared at Darren as they left.

Darren stood up and went to leave.

“Stay for a moment.” Captain Yusako asked.

Darren turned to face the Captain.

“What would you like?” Darren asked.

“I’m wondering what it will take to get you to stay.” Captain Yusako asked, “You seem like you know what you’re doing. I could use you.”

“That isn’t a decision that I can make by myself.” Darren said, “I need to talk to Yuki cause it’s a joint decision.”

“I would like you to consider it.”

“We shall,” Darren said.

Captain left the room and exited to the temple grounds.

Darren sat on the floor next to Yuki. She was curled up in blankets with them pulled up to her face. A single kerosene lantern sat on a box casting its light across the room.

“Did you hear the discussion?” Darren asked.

“Yes,” Yuki said.

“And?”

“The Captain seems nice, but I don’t know…” Yuki said.

“You don’t know?” Darren said.

Yuki sat up, and the blanket fell down to her waist. She wasn’t wearing any clothes. Her small firm breasts glowed in the low light of the lantern.

“I want to get to the cabin.” Yuki said, “Maybe we can join up with them later, but I don’t know if it’s a smart thing now.”

“Granted.” Darren said, “What’s your argument against?”

“Three hundred people.” Yuki said, “Lots of mouths to feed. Plus the JDF will attack here.”

“There is the problem of my brother,” Darren said.

“I know.” Yuki said, “You can stay with your brother. I’ll go on alone.”

Darren wrapped his hands around her and pulled her close.

“I love you.” Darren said, “If you go, I go.”

“What do we do with your brother?” Yuki said.

“We can convince him to come with us.”

“Good luck with that. The kid has a girlfriend.” Yuki said.

“You should get dressed, and we should go see him,” Darren said.

Yuki got dressed in a pair of clean jeans and a t-shirt.

Darren and Yuki exited the closet they were using as a bedroom. The little meeting room was empty of people. As well as the central temple area.

They exited the temple into the compound and walked around exploring it. The compound was a busy hive of people. To Darren, it looked like everyone had a job and they were doing it. People were washing clothes, or cooking food. Others were cleaning the grounds.

Darren saw a bunch of armored vehicles lined up in a row, as well as a few covered trucks. At the end of the row was the truck with the light. The one that the four JDF soldiers had ambushed them with. A couple mechanics were tinkering with the truck. It looked like they were going to detach the broken light.

Turning the corner was a line of young teenagers. There were stripped down to shorts, the girls wore tank tops, the boys were bare chested. They were running around the compound. In the middle of the group were Anthony and Mika. Anthony held up his hand as he ran by.

After the running teenagers disappeared into the distance, Darren turned to Yuki.

“It looks like they’re building an army,” Darren said.

“That it does.” Yuki said, “It makes sense.”

“Yeh.” Darren said, “It does, and that’s scary.”

After a few moments, Lt Harrito walked up to Darren.

“Not a bad base?” Lt Harrito said, “No?”

“Busy,” Darren said.

“That it is.” Lt Harrito said, “Shall we go find breakfast? I am sure the cantina has something made.”

Darren’s stomach growled. He shrugged his shoulders and nodded his agreement.

Darren and Yuki followed Lt Harrito into a canvas-roofed tented off area. The area had many tables lined up in neat rows with a couple chefs cooking over a pair of bulky looking wood-fired stoves.

“Porridge.” Lt Harrito said, “My favorite.”

The Lieutenant grabbed three small bowls, and they sat down at a table.

“So?” Lt Harrito said, “What do you think?”

“Weren’t you a police officer?” Darren asked.

“I am.” Lt Harrito said, “But before that, I was a Lieutenant in the JDF. I was actually Captain Yusako’s commanding officer.”

“Then what happened.” Yuki asked between mouthfuls, “Get kicked out?”

“No.” Lt Harrito said, “I retired from the army. Joined the police instead. When the Captain pulled us off that hill, he pulled me into his company. Luckily, I was able to get my family out as well. My wife is the one cooking.”

“I see,” Darren said.

“Anthony is your little brother?” Lt Harrito said.

“Yes.”

“It’ll be good to be here with him then.” Lt Harrito said, “He talks about you lots.”

“We aren’t staying,” Darren said.

“Why not?” Lt Harrito said.

“I’m sure they have reasons,” Anthony said from behind him.

Darren jumped slightly.

Anthony and Mika sat down beside them. They were still in their shorts, but sweat glistened off of their brows. Mika’s white tank top was dripping with sweat.

“I’m sorry,” Darren said.

“No worries.” Anthony said, “I might only be thirteen, but I understand.”

“You do?” Yuki said.

“Darren has a look in his eyes.” Anthony said, “He has only had it once before.”

“And what look is that?” Darren said.

“You know the look.” Anthony said, “It tells me that you’re going to do whatever it takes to be with Yuki. No matter what.”

Darren blushed.

“I made him blush!” Anthony said to Mika, “Pay up.”

Mika glared at Anthony. “I’ll pay you later. Jerk.”

“You two are impossible.” Lt Harrito said, then laughed.

Darren finished his bowl of porridge.

“Are you going to stay here for a few days?” Anthony asked.

“No.” Yuki said, “I get nervous sitting in one place for too long.”