Soldier's Forge Chapter 16, a sakura wars fanfic

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Soldier's Forge, Chapter 16:

"Movement!" alerted Orihime. Maria and Orihime ducked into a small room quickly, waiting for two soldiers to pass.

"Ok, it's clear," she announced. The pair quickly bee-lined to the stairway door and jumped in. Bounding down the stairs in two, Maria and Orihime emerged back on the first floor near the back.

"It should be down this hallway, and to the left."

Passing by several more rooms, Maria walked briskly towards her destination, her footsteps light and graceful. Orihime followed, eyes glued to the motion sensor. Eventually, they stopped in front of a door labeled "comm. tower."

Maria reached for the handle and twisted, but was stopped cold.

"Damn it, it's locked."

"Three people are moving towards this area—they'll be here any minute."

Glancing about, she judged distances and hoped that the partitions between hallways would muffle sounds.

"No choice—stand back, Orihime." She pulled her revolver and shot the lock. Pushing her way inside, they shut the door and barricaded it with a small filing cabinet.

"They definitely noticed that—they're moving faster."

"We don't have much time, then." Maria whipped out the data disk and slipped it into the drive. After a second of scanning, the computer began to beep intermittently.

"Who is this?" appeared the image of Count Hanakoji on the screen after a few moments. He wore a robe, indicating that he had just woken up.

"It's me, Maria Tachibana, sir."

"Oh, certainly. Pardon the appearance, what can I do for you?"

"It's urgent. I assume you've heard of the military takeover?"

"Yes, but we haven't been able to secure much information."

"We have evidence that they have plans to stage an unprovoked attack among several nearby nations very soon."

"What! If that's true—"

"I'm sorry, sir, I don't have much time to explain. The evidence is being transmitted to the American Hana-Yashiki branch. We have about two days before they begin."

"Very well. I will do all I can to alert the international community."

"Thank you, sir."

"Good luck, Maria. I know you're planning something."

"I'll try my best. Maria out."

The transmission ended, leaving Maria to stare at a progress indicator showing data transfer to Hana-Yashiki. It was about halfway finished when they heard voices from outside.

"It came from around here!"

"Get security on the line now! We may have an intruder. Check the rooms in this hallway."

"Yes sir!"

"They're moving closer, Maria. What will we do?" asked Orihime nervously.

"Hope they don't notice the broken lock?" she answered weakly. Drawing her gun, she began to search for alternatives.

"This looks bad," commented Kanna. She was huddled behind a crate next to Kohran, observing a large truck surrounded by several soldiers. "We'll need some sort of distraction to get through."

"Distraction? I've got it—how about an explosion over there?" Kohran indicated the far side of the hangar, where several containers stood.

"Fine, just don't blow us up with it."

Kohran slipped quietly and crept along the wall to the corner, where she removed a small charge from her bag. Tacking it onto the drums, she flipped on several switches, and then inched her way back to where Kanna was waiting.

"It's set," she reported.

"Anytime you're ready," replied Kanna. Kohran depressed a trigger on a small handheld, causing a massive explosion to rock the hangar. The drums flew outwards, knocking down several guards to the floor. Those that weren't unconscious quickly ran out to escape the flames and smoke.

"They're gone—let's go!"

Kanna and Kohran ran with heads low to the truck, which was now abandoned. Flinging open the back gate, they dove inside to see a box covered in tarp. Kanna whipped it off and cracked open the crate to find emptiness.

"What! Kohran, what's going on?" yelled Kanna.

"Damn, it's not here! They must have shipped it already! That means…it's a decoy!"

A bullet ricocheting nearby caused Kohran to drop to the floor, while Kanna quickly slammed the door shut. Scrambling into the cab, she started the engine and ducked her head as the glass in front of her shattered from a bullet impact.

"We're surrounded! Kohran, they must have been waiting all along!"

Maria and Orihime were pushing against the filing cabinet as the pounding outside grew louder.

"Is it almost done?" asked Orihime. Maria glanced at the progress indicator.

"Twenty seconds," she replied. "After that, I really don't know."

Orihime grunted in frustration, looking around desperately for anything that would help them. Studying the control panel for a bit, she came upon a panel indicating warning sirens. She wordlessly flipped several switches, smashed a small glass button, and depressed it.

"Warning: Level three radiation alert. This is not a drill. All personnel evacuate in thirty seconds."

The lights in the room cut out to be replaced by flashing red sirens while the message repeated itself over the intercom. The pounding on the door quickly stopped, and footsteps scurrying away could be heard.

"They're moving away," reported Orihime as she read the motion tracker.

"The transfer is finished. We're done here," said Maria. Pushing the cabinet out of the way, they ran out into a dimly lit hallway.

"I guess we follow the arrows to the exit," she instructed. Several arrows were flashing on the wall.

"I hate this," complained Orihime.

Kanna and Kohran heard the alert, and the bullets stopped firing as the soldiers scrambled to evacuate the area.

"It must be the others! That means they sent the message!" yelled Kanna.

"We need to get to the power plant. Take us out!" replied Kohran from the passenger side.

Kanna shifted into drive and with tires squealing, she swung out of the hanger. Soldiers dodged out of the path as the large truck was bearing down on them.

"Turn right! Follow the left road!" instructed Kohran. Kanna almost toppled the truck, as she was swerving left and right at top speed.

The sounds of bullets hitting behind them continued to encourage Kanna to keep the accelerator floored, before Kohran yelled for Kanna to watch ahead. In front was a small blockade of APCs and a small tank trained on them. Kanna slammed on the brakes, sliding the large truck to the right. It flipped onto its side and collided violently with the APC, sending soldiers scattering everywhere. Shards of broken armor flew in every direction.

When the truck came to a stop, Kanna pushed up on Kohran to open to door. She peered out the window to see the barrel of the tank turning slowly towards them.

"Kohran, time to get out now!"

Kohran hauled herself up the top and jumped out, followed by Kanna. She landed rolling, and was on her feet quickly. Hauling Kohran up violently, she ran as fast as she could before an explosion behind her sent her flying.

The truck behind became engulfed in a large mushroom cloud explosion that sent the cab and the rest of it flying high into the air. Kanna held Kohran protectively as they rolled into a ditch in the side.

"You okay?" asked Kanna quickly. Kohran readjusted her glasses; one of the lenses was cracked.

"No, what do you think?" she replied sarcastically.

"We'll have to run it out on foot now." Kanna stumbled to her feet and pulled Kohran with her. A bullet whizzed by her, causing her to drop to her feet quickly. Her stomach sank when she saw dozens of soldiers from both sides streaming from ahead and behind.

"Freeze!" ordered a soldier while aiming a rifle at them. The sounds of dozens more rifles loading around them led Kanna to slowly raise her hands above her head. Kohran reluctantly did the same.

"Damn it, we're in for it now," said Kanna grimly.

Kanna and Kohran were herded at gunpoint violently to a circle of soldiers in the middle of the street. From the opposite side, she saw Maria and Orihime getting pushed into the ring.

"You too?" Kanna said glumly.

"They ambushed us when we got out," replied Maria.

"On your knees!" shouted a soldier. They were forcibly knelt before Major Amakasa emerged from the crowd.

"You! They let you out?" shouted Kanna.

He silently walked over to her, and then kicked her in the stomach. Kanna took the blow and glared at her assailant.

"I finally have caught up with you. You have caused me much trouble that I intend for you to repay," he told them coldly.

"Come here, and I'll tell you what I think of your 'trouble'," taunted Kanna. The Major smiled coldly.

"In due time. Then again, I may decide to execute you on the spot, so what does it matter?"

"Where is the weapon? What are you going to use it for?" seethed Kohran.

"Weapon? I deal with lots of weapons, but if you're referring to the bioweapon the lab concocted, rest assured, it's on its way to be used. We haven't done a real test except for a few unlucky peasants nearby. Maybe—Manchuria is a good place to start?"

"The international community won't stand for this. How far do you think you're going to get?" said Maria.

"By the time they realize what has happened, it will be too late. For years, this country has been weakened, both by inept leadership and unfortunate circumstances. We still exist, however, because we are strong. The failings of the weak must be cut away. Vice-General Yoneda was one such failing."

"Do we have to keep listening to this Japanese villain's tirade?" whispered Orihime.

"You're right. I am wasting my time. I think I'll just execute you now. Soldiers!"

The four of them were put side by side, kneeling and awaiting execution. The soldiers took up positions behind them and he click of rifles being loaded was heard.

Making final preparations, the four of them resigned themselves to their fate.

Out of nowhere, an explosion from behind them knocked them down. Lying on her side, Maria saw an APC fall in two before exploding.

"What the hell?" exclaimed Kanna.

A large, purple object stalked out from the woods, holding a naginata triumphantly.

"It's Sumire!" said Orihime.

The Major looked in frustration as the large Tenbu began its dance of destruction, carving targets left and right. Several soldiers opened fire on it, but to no avail. From the cover provided by it, about thirty armed men swarmed outwards.

"Sir, we're under attack—"

"I know that, idiot!" The Major saw his forces driven back, unable to stand against the juggernaut before him.

"Kill them."

"Excuse me?" said the subordinate in surprise.

Amakasa grabbed the rifle out of the soldier's hands and turned on the kneeling prisoners. Suddenly, about a third of his troops turned their weapons on the others, who were still reeling in shock from the outside attack.

"What—traitors!" he fumed. The ragtag collection of soldiers following the Tenbu surrounded the circle of soldiers. Everyone had a gun trained on something or another.

"Long time no see, Amakasa," came a voice from behind the Tenbu. Kayama walked out confidently into the circle. "Actually, I was watching you earlier, so I guess that's not true."

"You! You're the one—"

"Drop the weapon," Kayama warned. "All of you."

The soldiers under Amakasa's command complied, under the careful watch of the others. Amakasa glared at Kayama as he was hauled off by several troops.

"Good job, Tsuki-gumi," complimented Kayama.

"Just doing our job, sir!" saluted an undercover soldier.

"Hey, aren't you forgetting someone?" said Sumire over her speakers. "Well, Kanna, I see you managed to once again get yourself into trouble that I have to take care of, as usual. I'll think of a way for you to thank me later."

"Sumire! Why you—" screamed Kanna.

"Kayama, how did you—" began Maria.

"We were following leads on several fronts, and then we received word of the biowar project. We planned an attack, but it seems you managed to get here first."

Sumire dismounted from her Tenbu and sauntered over to the small group.

"Sumire! Why are you here?" asked Kanna.

"Hold on, I'll explain everything," said Kayama. "As I was saying, we finally received intelligence about this operation. We had an attack planned, but one of our operatives working within Kanzaki Industries informed us that Sumire had joined with them. She rallied the former employees and they gave us the extra manpower needed to take this facility. I have to add—she really has raised their spirits since she returned. They needed leadership, and she took the challenge readily."

"Of course—what would you expect from a 'top star'?" interrupted Sumire haughtily.

"Um, yes. We picked up transmissions to Count Hanakoji and the American Hana-Yashiki branch, and figured it was you guys, which led us to attack immediately."

"The biowar agent! It's not here—they must have shipped it already!" alerted Kohran.

"I see…it could be on its way to the rendezvous point—or it could be there already. We will have to hurry to catch it before they get it offshore."

"Where are the others? Do you have any word on Yoneda, or…" Maria asked anxiously.

"Yoneda is alive. He's being held in a military base away from here. As for Oogami…we're still following leads."

"What about Kaede? As for that matter, how did you survive?"

"Luck, mostly. Kaede is fine. Sakura and the others are waiting at an underground safe haven. I have alerted them and will return for them shortly."

"Sir, we've secured the base. We're extracting the information from the computer now," reported one of Kayama's men.

"Excellent. Excuse me, but I have some things to attend to. Meet me again in the temporary command center in about thirty minutes." Kayama saluted and walked off towards the lab. The others turned to Sumire for answers.

"Did you see the eyes riveted on me as I entered the stage? A grand explosion, marking my regal passing!"

"Oh no, we're never going to hear the end of this," moaned Kanna.

"It's good to see you, Sumire," said Maria.

"You would not believe what I have had to go through! It was terrible!" added Orihime.

"Um, Maria, why the brown hair?" commented Sumire.

Maria turned away embarrassed. "It's…a long story."

"Let's all talk about it over a cup of tea when it's over," offered Sumire. "As for now, I need to talk to my troops."

"Your troops?" said Kanna incredulously.

"Yes—the loyal men and women of Kanzaki Industries that have rallied under my banner. I helped plan this attack, you know."

"I'm…surprised," replied Maria. "But stranger things have happened. Very well, I'll see you later."

Sumire nodded and went to consult with her band.

"I've got to see this," said Kanna as she took off after her. Orihime nodded in assent and followed.

"I need to make sure everything in the lab is destroyed," said Kohran as she also left, leaving Maria standing alone in the middle of the bustling scene.

"Who would have thought…Sumire," said Maria amusedly.

After they had refreshed themselves with food and drink, Maria and the others gathered in a small tent that served as the temporary command center. They chatted excitedly, glad to have seen each other alive and well after their harrowing escape. Kayama entered the large tent swiftly gestured for them to be seated.

"Ahh, it warms my heart to see the family being reunited. Together, there is no adversity we can overcome! We are…we are—" Kayama continued his rant for several seconds.

"He acts just like Ensign—they're both insane," whispered Orihime. Kayama finally finished, teary eyed.

"Ahem. Anyways, I will be your commanding officer for this mission. Let's see, what does Oogami do…um…"

Kayama stumbled around, searching for maps and other items. The gathered Hanagumi members stared embarrassingly.

"Ah, here it is!" He pulled out a map and unrolled it. "Our sources have informed us that a large military force is gathered on the entire strip here." He pointed to a west coast with a long circle around it. "We do not have sufficient forces to attack them all, however our mission will be to stop the shipment of the biological weapon before it gets loaded onto the transport. Intelligence has managed to narrow it down to beach F, over here."

"How soon do we have?" asked Maria.

"I don't know. Kohran reported that the warhead had already shipped, which means they already have sizable lead over us. We will transport you and your Tenbu via Sumire's transports as fast as possible. If the warhead is being loaded, you are to eliminate all threats in the area and to seize it—do not destroy it, or the contagion will spread. Yuri, Kasumi, come on in."

The pair stood at the entrance silently, and then joined the others.

"Yuri, Kasumi!" said Maria.

"It's good to see everyone," smiled Yuri. "I'll want to hear all your stories when we get back!"

"Let's all hope we return safely," said Kayama. "Sumire's men are providing are providing the logistical support. Without her, we wouldn't have been able to get this far. Kasumi, are the transports ready?"

"The Tenbu are fueled and loaded—Kaze-gumi reports transport system is ready and awaiting orders!"

"Good. If there are no more questions, load up and move out."

"What are you going to do?" asked Kohran.

"I will be back in Teito, taking care of some business. Maria—excuse me—squad leader, would you like to give the order?"

"Understood. Imperial Assault Troops, move out!"