HRM Legation, Tokyo Japan, Z-Day 1045hrs
"Say again, Falcon 1-3, Say again, over," Lt. Symons toggled the unit comms.
"Ops, Falcon 1-3, we have civilians at the gates and they are desperate to get in, over."
Symons looked to Major Giles.
"I am afraid that is the Consul's call. I have no authority to open the gates," he said sadly.
"Falcon 1-3, Ops, status report, over," Lt Symons returned to comms.
"Ops, Falcon 1-3, the civies are making a lot of racket, sir. Only a matter of time before…shit, too late. We got the attention of two, repeat two Zeds. What are our orders, sir? Over."
Maj. Giles sat for a moment and rubbed his temples.
"Leftenant, your shooters have my personal authority to open fire on the Zeds if they approach the gates. They have my blessing to watch over those seeking shelter until the Consul gives the okay to let them in. I will assume any and all responsibility for our actions if the Japanese Home government raises any concerns."
"Understood, sir," Lt. Symons replied, smiling. "Falcon 1-3, Ops, you have permission to open fire on selected Zeds approaching the compound only. Repeat, permission to fire only upon Zeds approaching compound gates, over."
"Ops, Falcon 1-3, orders received and understood. Beginning overwatch. Falcon 1-3 out."
Sergeant White flipped the safety select to fire and zeroed in on the closest Zed.
"Fire, Fire, Fire," Sgt Pegg whispered.
The massive L96 spat a hot .338 round square into the approaching Zed's chest, knocking it to the ground. Sgt White drew the bolt, chambered a second round, zeroed on the second target and repeated the effect.
"Targets are neutralized," Pegg grinned. "Nice shooting, Nicky, me old son."
As he said it, the first Zed staggered back to its feet and resumed shambling toward the embassy gate.
"Negative, target is not neutralized," White whispered, panic creeping into his voice. He re-sighted the first target, taking careful aim at the base of the head. At less than 100 meters, this was a cannot miss shot. Chambering a new round, Nick White squeezed the trigger and the Lapua spoke again. Zed's head disappeared into a fine mist of blood and gore as the body slumped to the ground. Re-chambering a fourth round, Sgt White targeted the second Zed and squeezed the trigger as the aperture came to rest square on the nose. A similar spray of blood and brains flew backward as the headless body came to rest 30 meters from the cowering civilians.
A sigh of relief went up from the small knot of civilians at the realization of how close death had come. A second cry went up as another Marine ran to the gates, what looked like a remote in his hands.
"Everyone, to the pedestrian gate," the Marine said in broken Japanese, gesturing to the small gate on the other side of the guard house. The knot of people pressed desperately into the gate, making it difficult to open. The suppressed thud of the heavy .338 was heard overhead as another Zed toppled over backward, this time danger close.
"I am switching over to the Enfield," Sgt White said, referring to his L85A2, laying the heavy sniper rifle to the side. "At these ranges, the Lapua is a waste."
"The report will attract more of them," Jim Pegg replied, worry in his voice. "Last thing we need is more of them than we got bullets."
"Aye, but I am having difficulty zeroing in at these ranges," Nick White replied. "My scope is set to ranges beyond 400 meters. It was not designed for danger close urban combat."
"Lance Corporal Edmonds is almost done with these civvies," Pegg said firmly. "Just a few more seconds and they are inside and safe."
"As safe as we can make 'em," White muttered, shouldering his assault rifle and setting the fire select to semi-auto. "but for how long?"
The admittance of about two dozen panicked civilians took more time than was comfortable for the shooter. By the time everyone was safely behind the locked gate, White had to dispatch three more Zeds attracted to the commotion and the report of his rifle; each with increasing difficulty. The last only went down right as the gate closed on its hand.
L/Cpl Edmonds led the newly rescued into the foyer where they were greeted by the Consul-General. There he conducted a quick head count and found assorted men and women, two with small children and three teens totaling twenty two persons.
"Minna-san," the Consul spoke, gaining everyone's attention. "I welcome you to Her Royal Majesty's Embassy. Please follow the directions of the Embassy staff as they take you to our guest accommodations. We have food, shelter, bathing and hygiene facilities and changes of clothing for everyone."
He turned to an aid and gave her the necessary instructions. She and another Marine led them to the conference room where the quarantine procedures would take place.
Upon returning to his office, the Consul found Major Giles, Lt Symons and SSgt Blake waiting for him.
"This presents us with a dilemma, gentlemen," the Consul spoke. "Our helicopter evacuation could barely accommodate the civilian staff as it stood. Now we have a further twenty two to worry about."
"We can evac them with the ground convoy, sir," Blake suggested.
"I would hate to put your men in jeopardy, Staff Sergeant," The consul sighed. "I don't regret saving them, but I guess I failed to take into account their fates once here. Options, gentlemen?"
"Sir, this compound was designed to withstand a full military siege for weeks," Maj. Giles said at length. "I suggest we can hold out for the few days it will take the HMS Ark Royal to arrive."
At this moment, Cpl Davis rushed into the room.
"We-I-I lost Whitehall…" He heaved breathlessly. "There has been no contact with London since 1030hrs."
"Calm down, Davis," the Major smiled warmly. "I am sure they have other things to worry about than this one outpost."
"No, sir, that is not what I mean," Davis continued. "I was speaking to the Foreign Office directly, when I heard screams and then nothing."
The other four men only sat in stunned silence as the gravity of this news sank in.
"Then…then it's happening in England…everywhere," Symons slumped into his chair. "My God, we are surrounded out here."
No one spoke for minutes. Each man lost in his thoughts of home, loved ones never to be seen alive, surrounded on all sides by a hostile force that meant to inflict utter annihilation on the living population. Symons was heard softly sobbing into his hands.
"Cpl Davis," Maj. Giles spoke gravely. "Do what you can with communications. There has to be someone in London who knows what is going on. Any news from the HMS Inscrutable?"
"Sir, the Inscrutable is still standing by to take on the staff," Davis replied weakly.
Major Giles perked up at the news.
"That is good news, is it not?"
"Y-Yes sir," Davis replied, still unsure of where the Major was going.
"Well then, there is still hope. The Ark Royal is still on her way here, is she not?"
"Yes, sir," Davis replied, the confidence returning to his voice.
"Then all is not lost," Giles spoke triumphantly, rising to his feet. "Return to your post. Get ahold of anyone who is still listening, military and civilian alike. I want to know precisely what the bloody hell is going on out there!"
"Yes, Sah!" Davis snapped to attention, saluting crisply. He turned sharply and strutted out the door, his confidence fully restored.
"Staff Sergeant," The Major turned to Blake. "Gather your men and inform them of what we know so far. The Ark Royal is still on her way here with all possible haste and the Inscrutable is on station for the civilian evacuation. We have a few more to handle, but, by God, we are Royal Marines! The word 'cannot' does not exist in our vocabulary."
"Aye, Sah!" Blake saluted. He turned crisply and strode out of the room.
"Now, Lt Symons, a word, if you please."