#5
Canton Province, China
February 1943
After the meal, as promised, Major General Sato arranged for a car to take them across the city to the research site. For the entire journey, Sendoh could feel his stomach churning uncomfortably as it struggled to cope with the unfamiliar rich food. He was interested in seeing more of the city, although most of it looked much the same. All greyness and hunger and brutality. They rarely saw anyone out and about, but every person they did pass had the same haunted look in their eyes. Nothing was soft here.
The university appeared just as cold and empty as everywhere else. It was a long, low building with a central covered entranceway. The car pulled up directly to the front, and the Major General eagerly led the way inside.
At the door, a doctor dressed in a white coat passed them each an object that looked like a gas mask. The place stank, and Sendoh was grateful to put it on. It covered his face entirely, with just a perspex screen for looking out, and a protruding filter that gave him the look of having a trunk.
Curiously, he looked around. It was dark – it seemed the electrics were unreliable. There were stains on the floor, and a cockroach scuttled up the wall nearby. It had the air of an abandoned building lost to squalor.
The Major General led him down a corridor towards the right. "This is where we are conducting research into inanition," he explained, his voice slightly muffled through the filter. They had stopped in front of a series of rooms, each of which contained a man, woman, or child. A couple of Japanese scientists were marking observations down at a control desk. "These ones have been in for about two weeks now." He gestured, "You can see the effects of malnutrition are becoming more extensive."
Sendoh took in the sight of the emaciated bodies. Hollow cheeks and weak eyes stared blankly he passed. The food he had just eaten threatened to rise up once again, and he desperately tried to swallow his disgust.
"You're... starving them?" he queried, mystified. "But they're... just civilians."
Sato gave a sympathetic chuckle. "I am a man of science, Captain," he replied, spreading his hands. "And this is research. Please don't think I take any pleasure in their suffering..." he shook his head solemnly. "...but they are contributing to a worthy cause."
Sendoh could bare no more than a passing glance at the subjects before turning his eyes back to the Major who nodded encouragingly.
"We have made several breakthroughs in the last two months. It has been a very satisfying series of experiments. The knowledge we glean will benefit future generations. Now," he gestured further down the corridor with his hand, "we perform the vivisections down this way. We are very proud of our surgical team. The task can be very trying at times, physically and emotionally, but we do our best."
Sendoh held up a hand to stop him. He could not even begin to imagine the expression his face must have been making under the mask, and was glad Sato could not see it. He tried to wipe at the cold sweat that seemed to have drenched him.
"Yes?" The man prompted, as if expecting Sendoh to be impressed.
"Major General," he spoke out, trying to keep his voice under control, "I'm a little confused. These subjects they are... criminals?"
Sato laughed. "Criminals, yes. Of course. Enemies of Japan!"
Sendoh stared at him blankly, and Sato, finally seeming to notice his bewilderment, turned serious.
"Our research is essential Captain. Do I wish there were another way? Of course I do. But you see..." he spread his hands despairingly, "...there is no other way. I do understand your surprise and your concern, naturally. But you are a soldier – a man of blood and battle. I am a physician, a scientist. I hope you will trust me and my judgement in these matters. The General has granted me full authority over the proceedings here, after all."
Sendoh did not look through the doors again.
"I... understand," he replied, working to keep his voice level. "I have heard much praise for your scientific advancements. And, of course, the General's high regard for you."
Sato smiled brightly.
"That is certainly good to know. I must say, I was a little concerned that you would be somewhat headstrong, what with being from the Sendoh family and all. I'm glad that's not the case."
Sendoh managed a salute. "Thank you Major General. If you have no objection, I should like to go and see whether my men have settled into camp."
Sato nodded. "Yes, of course. You are naturally concerned for your men." He gestured with a hand to return back down the stairs. "Let us go and view the camp."
"Thank you, sir."
Once the Major General had left him close to the troop's quarters, Sendoh stepped out of sight behind one of the huts. His hands were shaking, and his face was grey. He clutched his stomach and was sick onto the churned mud. Rich food splattered over the ground.
As a seasoned solider it took a lot turn his stomach nowadays, but the blank, staring eyes at the university had lodged permanently into his psyche.
What is this hell? He wondered, leaning against the wooden hut tiredly. Is this what we are fighting for? Is this what my men have been dying for?
He lifted his eyes to the stagnant sky, and stared at the grey clouds which refused to move.
~tbc
ANs: Believe it or not I've had to dumb down the atrocities committed in China because the true is quite surreal and almost unbelievable. If you are interested to learn more, you can start by researching Unit 731, of which Sato's Unit 8604 formed a branch.
Sorry this chapter is a little late in the day. I have been "patrolling" the barricades today! We've watched the police stockpiling tear gas and rubber bullets and expect that tonight will be a turning point for better or worse so I hope you will keep up with the news (the eyes of the world is the only thing protecting us right now!)