Until the End
Chapter 31
The End of all Things
As the helicopter touched down on the deck of the aircraft carrier, Parker noticed a great amount of activity on the deck. It was a few hundred yards from where he was, but it seemed that the crew members were gathered in a circle watching something. Getting out of the helicopter, Parker sprinted down the length of the deck to where the assembled men were standing and cheering. Some of the sailors turned in annoyance when Parker began to push through them, but when they saw the stars of a Brigadier General they moved aside to let him pass.
Once he had cleared the first few lines of sailors Parker was able to see what had garnered the attention of the crew. There, in the middle of a flight deck, were two Japanese men sparring with each other. Ranma was the easiest to recognize out of the two, but Ryoga seemed like a different person than when he had last seen him. The color of his skin was no longer the sickly pale and was instead replaced with a vibrant shimmer accented more because of the light sheen of sweat from their workout. Ryoga's body no longer seemed to be the frail thing it had appeared to be back in China, and now was beginning to resemble the massive powerhouse that it had once been. The thick wall of muscle had not deteriorated that much over the four year period, and the recent medical attention as well as workouts with Ranma had proven to be enough for the martial artist to get back into his old condition.
The sparring ended shortly after Parker arrived, as Ranma dealt Ryoga a hard snap kick to the jaw that sent him sprawling to the ground. Ryoga tried vainly to get up, but collapsed back down on the deck with a grunt of pain and defeat. Ranma turned to the assembled men and gave them a curt bow, which earned him a round of applause from the sailors. As he rose from the bow Ranma caught sight of Parker and smiled. He walked the distance to where Ryoga was lying and bent over him.
"Think you can stand up Ryoga?" Ranma asked as he extended his hand. Ryoga batted it aside and struggled to his feet.
"Just you wait Saotome, all I need is another good week or so and I'll be able to clean your clock just like I used to," Ryoga said with fake menace. The two shared a laugh and Ranma directed Ryoga's attention to Parker who was standing a few feet away with a smile plastered on his face.
"Good to see you back to you're old self again Ryoga," Parker said in Japanese as he greeted him. "I take it your feeling a bit better than when we last met."
Ryoga smiled. "You bet, but I've gotten a little rusty, not that this jerk really cares. He just likes to beat on me now because once I'm back to normal health I'll wipe the floor with him."
"Don't let the fool trick you Phil," Ranma interjected. "He's pretty much as fast as he's always been, he just needs to get his endurance back up there, heck, he almost knocked me down this time."
"Well I'm glad you two seem to be enjoying yourselves," Parker said, in a light tone, but was now serious. "I'm just stopping by before I head back into Siberia."
"How long before you have to go?" Ranma asked.
"I've got maybe three hours. I told my pilot that he could have some recuperated leave while were here. Mostly it means getting a little shut eye before taking another five hour flight through Russia airspace and then the long flight back once he drops me off."
"Well, if you don't have much else to do then how about coming and having a drink with us?" Ranma asked. Parker smiled and motioned for Ranma to lead the way.
===============
Kimura walked stiffly through the hallways. He was trailed by two Japanese police officers and a few other jacketed bodyguards.
"Is this the one?" Kimura asked, pointing at the door he had stopped in front of. The police officers nodded their heads. "Alright then, everyone wait outside."
Judging by the faces the bodyguards made, Kimura could tell they did not like the idea of him going inside alone.
"Hey, if I need you guys I can just call alright."
He pushed the door open and closed it softly behind him. As he took a few steps into the room he noted how superb it was.
"Good afternoon Shizuko-san," Kimura said to the man seated in a chair looking out the large bay windows. Shizuko did not respond. "This is a very nice room, I'm surprised that you were put in here, I had thought that most criminals earned a cold cell with a nice roommate."
Kimura could tell that he had made Shizuko flinch with his last remark.
"Since you asked to see me Shizuko, I would have thought it would mean you had something to say," Kimura intoned lightly.
After a long pause, the chair turned slowly from the window to face Kimura. Shizuko was wearing a very fancy kimono, but the look was ruined when Kimura spotted the thick cast and sling his right arm was in.
'Probably from when Akane gave him a good beating,' Kimura thought to himself.
"I can't tell you how glad I am to see my successor looking so chirpy," Shizuko said sarcastically. "I trust you've found my office quite comfortable?"
"Actually it's a little cluttered right now, seeing as how I've got a lot of paperwork, seems you really fucked up this country during the last few months."
Shizuko's face flushed red and it looked to Kimura like he was going to pounce out of the chair. He wasn't worried; he had a good three inches on the former Prime Minister, and had also been trained in martial arts by Ranma Saotome and had gained a rudimentary lesson in the hand-to-hand combat skills of Phillip Parker.
"Listen Shizuko, I'm a very busy man, and I don't really have to the time to come by and exchange insults with you," Kimura said as he turned to the door.
"Oh I wouldn't recommend leaving Kimura-san," Shizuko said. His voice had changed, and where it had once been sarcastic and reserved, it now held a confident tone.
Kimura paused, and slowly turned back around. "What do you want to say Shizuko?"
"I understand that the war between China and Russia is continuing, and that China is almost into Alden. If the Chinese can take the city then it's only a matter of time before Siberia falls into their hands."
"What's your point?" Kimura asked.
"Well, the Russians can't let Siberia fall. If they lose Siberia then they lose their one last chance to stabilize the country. If it comes down to losing Siberia, Moscow may resort to extreme measures."
Kimura caught what Shizuko was getting at, but didn't reply.
"As far as Russia knows, China has no nuclear warheads, ever since the Americans took them out half a decade ago. But that's just not true."
"What?" Kimura asked, his face pale.
"Zhisheng and I foresaw that Russia may retaliate with nuclear arms, and that it would be foolish for us to simply keep all our nuclear capabilities in one country, just in case one of us happened to be taken out before the end. With this I accepted Zhisheng's proposal to move half of Japan's nuclear weapons into mainland China."
"Why should I believe that?" Kimura asked, though inside he knew it to be true.
Shizuko snorted. "Go count the number of warheads you have those technicians dismantling; I'm sure you'll come up short a few from the numbers that I've kept."
Kimura remembered a report that had crossed his desk a few days ago, saying that the techs had only found half of the proscribed nuclear arms and were continuing the search for the others.
Shizuko saw the look on Kimura's face and smiled. "Zhisheng told me where he was going to put them Kimura-san, and I am willing to give you that information."
"And what do you want in return?" Kimura asked, though he had an idea.
"A complete pardon from all charges against me," Shizuko stated. He saw the very distressed face Kimura had and smiled. "I'm willing to wait a few days for you to consider my proposal."
Kimura cast one glance at Shizuko and then left the room silently.
===============
"So there's no stopping the Chinese?" Ranma asked sadly.
"Not with our present amount of forces in Siberia. Unfortunately, the United States has its hands full at the moment trying to regain stability in Afghanistan, and it would seem that the President is preparing to go to war with Iraq," Parker added.
"Shit," Ranma cursed. "Doesn't he have enough on his table?"
Parker looked sternly at Ranma. "He has his reasons Ranma. Obviously he must see Iraq as a big enough threat to warrant it."
"Sorry, I just really can't see how having three different areas of conflict will do anyone any good," Ranma said defiantly. "I've experienced it first-hand, and I can say will certainty that it was probably the worst thing I've ever had to do in my life."
Parker sighed. "I know Ranma, I hate it too, but it's something that must be done. As it is, we've got a plan to hopefully end the war in Siberia, but it's risky, and I'm not even sure if it'll work."
Ranma and Ryoga looked at him quizzically.
"After the Battle of Alden, we managed to capture 30 000 Japanese troops. President Winnfield has decided, the Russians have agreed, that we can use those troops to halt the Chinese advancement."
Ranma paled. "What does the Japanese government have to say about this?"
Parker looked at Ranma for a moment and then laughed. "Oh man, I can't believe I forgot." He smiled as both young men stared at him. "There was a revolution in Japan a couple of weeks ago. Shizuko and the pretty much the rest of the government have been arrested and at the moment Isamu Kimura is now the acting head of Japan."
Surprising Parker, Ryoga and Ranma seemed to accept the news right away.
"Then this has to do with Akane and Akari beating up the Prime Minister on television a couple of weeks ago?" Ranma asked.
"You guys saw that?" Parker asked. Ranma and Ryoga nodded. "Well, I bet it was one hell of a surprise."
"I was still getting used to the idea that I was actually going to be able to go home," Ryoga stated. "Seeing Akari and Akane was definitely a shock."
"Well, Shizuko's been overthrown now, and the President told me that he was confident Kimura would see that there really is no other choice in the matter, so when I head back to Siberia, I'll be given command of the forces again, plus the Japanese. If were lucky, than we just might be able to keep the Chinese from getting Siberia."
"So does that mean all Japanese POW's in American care will soon be rearmed and sent back into the field?" Ranma asked.
"Almost everyone," Parker said with a smile. "Don't worry Ranma, you've done enough fighting."
The relief on Ranma's face was evident, and Ryoga patted him on the shoulder in comfort. Parker smiled at the two and glanced at his wristwatch.
"Well, I've got to go see if I can find my pilot," Parker announced to the two as he got to his feet.
"We'll help you," Ranma said as he and Ryoga got to his feet.
===============
"You make sure you're careful alright," Ranma said as he stood just outside the door of the helicopter.
"Don't you worry," Parker shouted over the noise of the engine. "I'll see you two in Japan." The door slammed shut and Ranma and Ryoga sprinted a short distance away as the helicopter lifted into the air. They stood there watching the helicopter until it was a single spec on the horizon.
After eating supper in the mess hall with the other sailors, the two went back out onto the deck for another sparring match. Thoroughly exhausted, the two retired to their room. After an hour and a half of light napping, the two were awakened when someone knocked at the door.
"Come in," Ryoga called out tiredly as he sat up. He tossed a magazine at Ranma across the room in an attempt to wake him.
The door opened the ships XO came in. Ranma, awakened by Ryoga's magazine, immediately got to his feet and saluted, though he recalled that he wasn't supposed to do that indoors to a naval officer.
"At ease," the Xo said quickly. He looked down at a clipboard he held in his hand. "Names please."
"Ranma Saotome." "Ryoga Hibiki."
"Ah, there we go," the XO said with a smile. "Alright, you two come with me."
"Can I ask where were going?" Ryoga intoned. The XO looked at him with a smile.
"All former Japanese POW's are to be taken to the mess hall where they will receive an announcement from the Captain," the XO explained.
Ranma and Ryoga shared a look of confusion with each other. Ranma shrugged and nodded towards the XO.
"Lead the way."
===============
Gogol watched solemnly as the long lines of Japanese soldiers were being instructed on the order that had just come down the other day. Each soldier now carried a rifle, along with an ammunition belt. The sight of the men that he had fought only a weeks ago, armed and within range of shooting him was slightly unnerving. He was so deep in thought that when Parker dropped his hand down onto Gogol's shoulder that he started in surprise.
"Catch you day dreaming?" Parker asked as he looked past Gogol to the Japanese soldiers.
"Just thinking sir," Gogol replied as he regarded Parker. The man looked a great deal better than when he had last seen him. When the Navy had sent choppers to come pick them up Parker had still yet to regain control of his legs, after sustaining a severe blow to his spinal cord when he was ejected from the jeep he had been riding in.
"I see the President's orders are being carried out," Parker noted as a few soldiers continued to shout orders in Japanese.
"Yes sir."
Parker looked down and saw the apprehension in Gogol's eyes.
"I realize this is going to be a big risk Gogol, but there's absolutely no way we could pull this off without more man-power. Due to problem on both our respective ends, the supply of troops is dribbled down to a minimum. With the revolution in Japan, we've gained ourselves another ally."
Gogol nodded his head slowly. "I agree with you sir, it's just a little weird seeing the same men I was fighting over the battlefield to now be on our side."
"Well, war always makes for odd bed-fellows my friend," Parker commented. He looked over at Gogol one last time and then marched out towards the large group of assembled troops.
The sound of 30 000 hands coming to their foreheads echoed throughout the camp as the two soldiers instructing the Japanese saluted Parker, only to have the Japanese follow suit.
"At ease," Parker intoned softly and looked grimly at the assembled men. He motioned to one of the soldiers and retrieved the large bullhorn from his hand.
"Good afternoon," Parker said in Japanese, his voice carried clearly across the open meadow, allowing all ears to hear him.
"We are now meeting under odd circumstances, but I wish to make it clear at the moment that I do not consider any of you to be second-class to any of my troops. You are equal to me, and to my men. The madman that led to your coming to this country is now behind bars, and the new righteous leaders of your country would have you return to your homes, where your families will no doubt be overjoyed to see you, and you them."
"But before that can happen there is something that you must do, something that has fallen onto your heads, which have already bared a great deal of burden. As soldiers of your country, you must serve your country to the fullest of your ability, and right now there is one last task that your country shall ask of you. An enemy still exists that you must fight, one that you fought alongside not too long ago in the past. These men are not the brave warriors that you are, nor do they follow any sense of honor. They seek to take that which is not theirs, and to use its newfound strength to strike out at the world, which it seeks to control."
Parker paused as he watched the assembled men, knowing that he had their undivided attention.
"The bonds that once existed between you and that enemy no longer exist, and what was once your ally has now become your most hated enemy. I realize that there is nothing more than any of you wishes to do than to leave this country and return to your homeland, it is something I wish to do as well."
"We have met each other on the battlefield once, and though your hearts may not have been behind the cause that which you were fighting for, you fought bravely, and I respect you for that. Now we are a brotherhood a band of brothers, one of which that will go to battle together not as two separate entities but as a whole, and one that our enemy will be damned for ever wishing to fight against. We shall meet them on the battlefield and as you look at them I wish for you to realize that they are what you must fight against to get to your homes. Every soldier that falls, every tank that crumbles will be one more obstacle between you and your home. If there was anything that you had to put your entire being behind, than this battle will be it."
"When the enemy sees you, he will cower and his resolve will crack but they shall still fight, for the alternatives to fighting will be a death for cowardice. They may hold the superior numbers, but a force of 100 000 soldiers can do nothing but fall when faced with a force that knows no fear, and will not falter even while charging them from across the battlefield knowing that they charge to face an enemy that greatly outnumbers them."
"So when you go into battle tomorrow do not go with a heavy heart, instead I ask that you go with the strength and power that has kept you alive to this day, and when the enemy appears do not let them see any fear, or weakness. Instead of allowing that fear to overcome you I ask that set your head high and carry yourself with an air of superiority that will allow our enemy to see what it is that they shall be up against."
"You are my brothers, and together we will taste victory over our enemy, and once they are defeated we will go to our homes and to our families, and we will be able to say that we fought with our pride, and with our determination, and that no being on Earth could possible stand against us."
Parker brought the bullhorn from his mouth and gazed at the soldiers for a long moment, attempting to look as many as he could straight in the eye. With a deep bow, he turned from them and headed back towards Gogol.
Gogol stood where Parker had left him, and when he got close enough he saw the tears that were running down his cheeks.
===============
There were at least 75 soldiers in the mess hall when Ranma and Ryoga arrived, and both men noticed that all of them were Japanese. Ranma had seen most of these men before on the ship, and at least a few of them he had seen while fighting in Siberia. He wondered curiously what it was that they were all doing here.
The Admiral of the ship motioned for Ranma to approach him. He asked in English if Ranma understood him, and then told him to translate what he was saying to the other troops.
"Good afternoon gentlemen, I trust you have all enjoyed your stay on my ship."
Ranma translated this and the assembled men smiles wanly.
"As I'm sure you've all come to hear, the war in Siberia is still raging on, and the Americans and Russians are being continuously pushed back. At this time, it has been decided by the Japanese Prime Minister, and the Presidents of both Russia and America, that the Chinese cannot be allowed to capture Siberia. It is that decision that has made the following order to be made."
As Ranma finished translating, he felt a wave of nausea wash over him. His stomach tightened and he felt bile rise in his throat.
"As of 27 May, 2003, all Japanese POW's in possession by either American or Russian forces shall be returned to Siberia where they will continue the fight to hold Siberia."
Ranma's eyes flashed to where Ryoga was standing and he saw his own horrified look mirrored in his eyes.
"Navy transports shall take you into Siberia later today, where you will link up with the main force. We must ask that you give us the address of your homes so that we may contact your family and give them the news."
Not a single man moved after the Admiral finished giving the news, and it was a long moment before they began to slowly file out of the room. The Admiral and the XO could not meet any of their gazes, and instead looked at the floor.
After a few moments the room was empty save for Ranma, Ryoga, and the Admiral.
"Um, sir?" Ranma intoned quickly as the Admiral turned to leave. "Was there anything in that message about soldiers that would be excused from the order?"
"No lieutenant. At this time every soldier is needed in Siberia."
Without another word the Admiral left, and Ranma and Ryoga were left.
"How could this happen?" Ryoga asked softly. "Parker said that we would be exempt from the order."
"Then Phil was wrong," Ranma said. "If the situation is as bad as everybody's been painting it, then I doubt they'd let the two of us go, even with Parker backing us."
Ranma lifted his eyes to meet Ryoga and tried to smile. "Looks like were heading back to China again."
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Author's Notes: I am so terribly sorry everyone. I know it's been absolutely forever since I updated. There's been far too many things happening in the last two months and I want to take the time to apologize right now. With only a few chapters left, I promise that I will have the story finished soon.
Chapter 31
The End of all Things
As the helicopter touched down on the deck of the aircraft carrier, Parker noticed a great amount of activity on the deck. It was a few hundred yards from where he was, but it seemed that the crew members were gathered in a circle watching something. Getting out of the helicopter, Parker sprinted down the length of the deck to where the assembled men were standing and cheering. Some of the sailors turned in annoyance when Parker began to push through them, but when they saw the stars of a Brigadier General they moved aside to let him pass.
Once he had cleared the first few lines of sailors Parker was able to see what had garnered the attention of the crew. There, in the middle of a flight deck, were two Japanese men sparring with each other. Ranma was the easiest to recognize out of the two, but Ryoga seemed like a different person than when he had last seen him. The color of his skin was no longer the sickly pale and was instead replaced with a vibrant shimmer accented more because of the light sheen of sweat from their workout. Ryoga's body no longer seemed to be the frail thing it had appeared to be back in China, and now was beginning to resemble the massive powerhouse that it had once been. The thick wall of muscle had not deteriorated that much over the four year period, and the recent medical attention as well as workouts with Ranma had proven to be enough for the martial artist to get back into his old condition.
The sparring ended shortly after Parker arrived, as Ranma dealt Ryoga a hard snap kick to the jaw that sent him sprawling to the ground. Ryoga tried vainly to get up, but collapsed back down on the deck with a grunt of pain and defeat. Ranma turned to the assembled men and gave them a curt bow, which earned him a round of applause from the sailors. As he rose from the bow Ranma caught sight of Parker and smiled. He walked the distance to where Ryoga was lying and bent over him.
"Think you can stand up Ryoga?" Ranma asked as he extended his hand. Ryoga batted it aside and struggled to his feet.
"Just you wait Saotome, all I need is another good week or so and I'll be able to clean your clock just like I used to," Ryoga said with fake menace. The two shared a laugh and Ranma directed Ryoga's attention to Parker who was standing a few feet away with a smile plastered on his face.
"Good to see you back to you're old self again Ryoga," Parker said in Japanese as he greeted him. "I take it your feeling a bit better than when we last met."
Ryoga smiled. "You bet, but I've gotten a little rusty, not that this jerk really cares. He just likes to beat on me now because once I'm back to normal health I'll wipe the floor with him."
"Don't let the fool trick you Phil," Ranma interjected. "He's pretty much as fast as he's always been, he just needs to get his endurance back up there, heck, he almost knocked me down this time."
"Well I'm glad you two seem to be enjoying yourselves," Parker said, in a light tone, but was now serious. "I'm just stopping by before I head back into Siberia."
"How long before you have to go?" Ranma asked.
"I've got maybe three hours. I told my pilot that he could have some recuperated leave while were here. Mostly it means getting a little shut eye before taking another five hour flight through Russia airspace and then the long flight back once he drops me off."
"Well, if you don't have much else to do then how about coming and having a drink with us?" Ranma asked. Parker smiled and motioned for Ranma to lead the way.
===============
Kimura walked stiffly through the hallways. He was trailed by two Japanese police officers and a few other jacketed bodyguards.
"Is this the one?" Kimura asked, pointing at the door he had stopped in front of. The police officers nodded their heads. "Alright then, everyone wait outside."
Judging by the faces the bodyguards made, Kimura could tell they did not like the idea of him going inside alone.
"Hey, if I need you guys I can just call alright."
He pushed the door open and closed it softly behind him. As he took a few steps into the room he noted how superb it was.
"Good afternoon Shizuko-san," Kimura said to the man seated in a chair looking out the large bay windows. Shizuko did not respond. "This is a very nice room, I'm surprised that you were put in here, I had thought that most criminals earned a cold cell with a nice roommate."
Kimura could tell that he had made Shizuko flinch with his last remark.
"Since you asked to see me Shizuko, I would have thought it would mean you had something to say," Kimura intoned lightly.
After a long pause, the chair turned slowly from the window to face Kimura. Shizuko was wearing a very fancy kimono, but the look was ruined when Kimura spotted the thick cast and sling his right arm was in.
'Probably from when Akane gave him a good beating,' Kimura thought to himself.
"I can't tell you how glad I am to see my successor looking so chirpy," Shizuko said sarcastically. "I trust you've found my office quite comfortable?"
"Actually it's a little cluttered right now, seeing as how I've got a lot of paperwork, seems you really fucked up this country during the last few months."
Shizuko's face flushed red and it looked to Kimura like he was going to pounce out of the chair. He wasn't worried; he had a good three inches on the former Prime Minister, and had also been trained in martial arts by Ranma Saotome and had gained a rudimentary lesson in the hand-to-hand combat skills of Phillip Parker.
"Listen Shizuko, I'm a very busy man, and I don't really have to the time to come by and exchange insults with you," Kimura said as he turned to the door.
"Oh I wouldn't recommend leaving Kimura-san," Shizuko said. His voice had changed, and where it had once been sarcastic and reserved, it now held a confident tone.
Kimura paused, and slowly turned back around. "What do you want to say Shizuko?"
"I understand that the war between China and Russia is continuing, and that China is almost into Alden. If the Chinese can take the city then it's only a matter of time before Siberia falls into their hands."
"What's your point?" Kimura asked.
"Well, the Russians can't let Siberia fall. If they lose Siberia then they lose their one last chance to stabilize the country. If it comes down to losing Siberia, Moscow may resort to extreme measures."
Kimura caught what Shizuko was getting at, but didn't reply.
"As far as Russia knows, China has no nuclear warheads, ever since the Americans took them out half a decade ago. But that's just not true."
"What?" Kimura asked, his face pale.
"Zhisheng and I foresaw that Russia may retaliate with nuclear arms, and that it would be foolish for us to simply keep all our nuclear capabilities in one country, just in case one of us happened to be taken out before the end. With this I accepted Zhisheng's proposal to move half of Japan's nuclear weapons into mainland China."
"Why should I believe that?" Kimura asked, though inside he knew it to be true.
Shizuko snorted. "Go count the number of warheads you have those technicians dismantling; I'm sure you'll come up short a few from the numbers that I've kept."
Kimura remembered a report that had crossed his desk a few days ago, saying that the techs had only found half of the proscribed nuclear arms and were continuing the search for the others.
Shizuko saw the look on Kimura's face and smiled. "Zhisheng told me where he was going to put them Kimura-san, and I am willing to give you that information."
"And what do you want in return?" Kimura asked, though he had an idea.
"A complete pardon from all charges against me," Shizuko stated. He saw the very distressed face Kimura had and smiled. "I'm willing to wait a few days for you to consider my proposal."
Kimura cast one glance at Shizuko and then left the room silently.
===============
"So there's no stopping the Chinese?" Ranma asked sadly.
"Not with our present amount of forces in Siberia. Unfortunately, the United States has its hands full at the moment trying to regain stability in Afghanistan, and it would seem that the President is preparing to go to war with Iraq," Parker added.
"Shit," Ranma cursed. "Doesn't he have enough on his table?"
Parker looked sternly at Ranma. "He has his reasons Ranma. Obviously he must see Iraq as a big enough threat to warrant it."
"Sorry, I just really can't see how having three different areas of conflict will do anyone any good," Ranma said defiantly. "I've experienced it first-hand, and I can say will certainty that it was probably the worst thing I've ever had to do in my life."
Parker sighed. "I know Ranma, I hate it too, but it's something that must be done. As it is, we've got a plan to hopefully end the war in Siberia, but it's risky, and I'm not even sure if it'll work."
Ranma and Ryoga looked at him quizzically.
"After the Battle of Alden, we managed to capture 30 000 Japanese troops. President Winnfield has decided, the Russians have agreed, that we can use those troops to halt the Chinese advancement."
Ranma paled. "What does the Japanese government have to say about this?"
Parker looked at Ranma for a moment and then laughed. "Oh man, I can't believe I forgot." He smiled as both young men stared at him. "There was a revolution in Japan a couple of weeks ago. Shizuko and the pretty much the rest of the government have been arrested and at the moment Isamu Kimura is now the acting head of Japan."
Surprising Parker, Ryoga and Ranma seemed to accept the news right away.
"Then this has to do with Akane and Akari beating up the Prime Minister on television a couple of weeks ago?" Ranma asked.
"You guys saw that?" Parker asked. Ranma and Ryoga nodded. "Well, I bet it was one hell of a surprise."
"I was still getting used to the idea that I was actually going to be able to go home," Ryoga stated. "Seeing Akari and Akane was definitely a shock."
"Well, Shizuko's been overthrown now, and the President told me that he was confident Kimura would see that there really is no other choice in the matter, so when I head back to Siberia, I'll be given command of the forces again, plus the Japanese. If were lucky, than we just might be able to keep the Chinese from getting Siberia."
"So does that mean all Japanese POW's in American care will soon be rearmed and sent back into the field?" Ranma asked.
"Almost everyone," Parker said with a smile. "Don't worry Ranma, you've done enough fighting."
The relief on Ranma's face was evident, and Ryoga patted him on the shoulder in comfort. Parker smiled at the two and glanced at his wristwatch.
"Well, I've got to go see if I can find my pilot," Parker announced to the two as he got to his feet.
"We'll help you," Ranma said as he and Ryoga got to his feet.
===============
"You make sure you're careful alright," Ranma said as he stood just outside the door of the helicopter.
"Don't you worry," Parker shouted over the noise of the engine. "I'll see you two in Japan." The door slammed shut and Ranma and Ryoga sprinted a short distance away as the helicopter lifted into the air. They stood there watching the helicopter until it was a single spec on the horizon.
After eating supper in the mess hall with the other sailors, the two went back out onto the deck for another sparring match. Thoroughly exhausted, the two retired to their room. After an hour and a half of light napping, the two were awakened when someone knocked at the door.
"Come in," Ryoga called out tiredly as he sat up. He tossed a magazine at Ranma across the room in an attempt to wake him.
The door opened the ships XO came in. Ranma, awakened by Ryoga's magazine, immediately got to his feet and saluted, though he recalled that he wasn't supposed to do that indoors to a naval officer.
"At ease," the Xo said quickly. He looked down at a clipboard he held in his hand. "Names please."
"Ranma Saotome." "Ryoga Hibiki."
"Ah, there we go," the XO said with a smile. "Alright, you two come with me."
"Can I ask where were going?" Ryoga intoned. The XO looked at him with a smile.
"All former Japanese POW's are to be taken to the mess hall where they will receive an announcement from the Captain," the XO explained.
Ranma and Ryoga shared a look of confusion with each other. Ranma shrugged and nodded towards the XO.
"Lead the way."
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Gogol watched solemnly as the long lines of Japanese soldiers were being instructed on the order that had just come down the other day. Each soldier now carried a rifle, along with an ammunition belt. The sight of the men that he had fought only a weeks ago, armed and within range of shooting him was slightly unnerving. He was so deep in thought that when Parker dropped his hand down onto Gogol's shoulder that he started in surprise.
"Catch you day dreaming?" Parker asked as he looked past Gogol to the Japanese soldiers.
"Just thinking sir," Gogol replied as he regarded Parker. The man looked a great deal better than when he had last seen him. When the Navy had sent choppers to come pick them up Parker had still yet to regain control of his legs, after sustaining a severe blow to his spinal cord when he was ejected from the jeep he had been riding in.
"I see the President's orders are being carried out," Parker noted as a few soldiers continued to shout orders in Japanese.
"Yes sir."
Parker looked down and saw the apprehension in Gogol's eyes.
"I realize this is going to be a big risk Gogol, but there's absolutely no way we could pull this off without more man-power. Due to problem on both our respective ends, the supply of troops is dribbled down to a minimum. With the revolution in Japan, we've gained ourselves another ally."
Gogol nodded his head slowly. "I agree with you sir, it's just a little weird seeing the same men I was fighting over the battlefield to now be on our side."
"Well, war always makes for odd bed-fellows my friend," Parker commented. He looked over at Gogol one last time and then marched out towards the large group of assembled troops.
The sound of 30 000 hands coming to their foreheads echoed throughout the camp as the two soldiers instructing the Japanese saluted Parker, only to have the Japanese follow suit.
"At ease," Parker intoned softly and looked grimly at the assembled men. He motioned to one of the soldiers and retrieved the large bullhorn from his hand.
"Good afternoon," Parker said in Japanese, his voice carried clearly across the open meadow, allowing all ears to hear him.
"We are now meeting under odd circumstances, but I wish to make it clear at the moment that I do not consider any of you to be second-class to any of my troops. You are equal to me, and to my men. The madman that led to your coming to this country is now behind bars, and the new righteous leaders of your country would have you return to your homes, where your families will no doubt be overjoyed to see you, and you them."
"But before that can happen there is something that you must do, something that has fallen onto your heads, which have already bared a great deal of burden. As soldiers of your country, you must serve your country to the fullest of your ability, and right now there is one last task that your country shall ask of you. An enemy still exists that you must fight, one that you fought alongside not too long ago in the past. These men are not the brave warriors that you are, nor do they follow any sense of honor. They seek to take that which is not theirs, and to use its newfound strength to strike out at the world, which it seeks to control."
Parker paused as he watched the assembled men, knowing that he had their undivided attention.
"The bonds that once existed between you and that enemy no longer exist, and what was once your ally has now become your most hated enemy. I realize that there is nothing more than any of you wishes to do than to leave this country and return to your homeland, it is something I wish to do as well."
"We have met each other on the battlefield once, and though your hearts may not have been behind the cause that which you were fighting for, you fought bravely, and I respect you for that. Now we are a brotherhood a band of brothers, one of which that will go to battle together not as two separate entities but as a whole, and one that our enemy will be damned for ever wishing to fight against. We shall meet them on the battlefield and as you look at them I wish for you to realize that they are what you must fight against to get to your homes. Every soldier that falls, every tank that crumbles will be one more obstacle between you and your home. If there was anything that you had to put your entire being behind, than this battle will be it."
"When the enemy sees you, he will cower and his resolve will crack but they shall still fight, for the alternatives to fighting will be a death for cowardice. They may hold the superior numbers, but a force of 100 000 soldiers can do nothing but fall when faced with a force that knows no fear, and will not falter even while charging them from across the battlefield knowing that they charge to face an enemy that greatly outnumbers them."
"So when you go into battle tomorrow do not go with a heavy heart, instead I ask that you go with the strength and power that has kept you alive to this day, and when the enemy appears do not let them see any fear, or weakness. Instead of allowing that fear to overcome you I ask that set your head high and carry yourself with an air of superiority that will allow our enemy to see what it is that they shall be up against."
"You are my brothers, and together we will taste victory over our enemy, and once they are defeated we will go to our homes and to our families, and we will be able to say that we fought with our pride, and with our determination, and that no being on Earth could possible stand against us."
Parker brought the bullhorn from his mouth and gazed at the soldiers for a long moment, attempting to look as many as he could straight in the eye. With a deep bow, he turned from them and headed back towards Gogol.
Gogol stood where Parker had left him, and when he got close enough he saw the tears that were running down his cheeks.
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There were at least 75 soldiers in the mess hall when Ranma and Ryoga arrived, and both men noticed that all of them were Japanese. Ranma had seen most of these men before on the ship, and at least a few of them he had seen while fighting in Siberia. He wondered curiously what it was that they were all doing here.
The Admiral of the ship motioned for Ranma to approach him. He asked in English if Ranma understood him, and then told him to translate what he was saying to the other troops.
"Good afternoon gentlemen, I trust you have all enjoyed your stay on my ship."
Ranma translated this and the assembled men smiles wanly.
"As I'm sure you've all come to hear, the war in Siberia is still raging on, and the Americans and Russians are being continuously pushed back. At this time, it has been decided by the Japanese Prime Minister, and the Presidents of both Russia and America, that the Chinese cannot be allowed to capture Siberia. It is that decision that has made the following order to be made."
As Ranma finished translating, he felt a wave of nausea wash over him. His stomach tightened and he felt bile rise in his throat.
"As of 27 May, 2003, all Japanese POW's in possession by either American or Russian forces shall be returned to Siberia where they will continue the fight to hold Siberia."
Ranma's eyes flashed to where Ryoga was standing and he saw his own horrified look mirrored in his eyes.
"Navy transports shall take you into Siberia later today, where you will link up with the main force. We must ask that you give us the address of your homes so that we may contact your family and give them the news."
Not a single man moved after the Admiral finished giving the news, and it was a long moment before they began to slowly file out of the room. The Admiral and the XO could not meet any of their gazes, and instead looked at the floor.
After a few moments the room was empty save for Ranma, Ryoga, and the Admiral.
"Um, sir?" Ranma intoned quickly as the Admiral turned to leave. "Was there anything in that message about soldiers that would be excused from the order?"
"No lieutenant. At this time every soldier is needed in Siberia."
Without another word the Admiral left, and Ranma and Ryoga were left.
"How could this happen?" Ryoga asked softly. "Parker said that we would be exempt from the order."
"Then Phil was wrong," Ranma said. "If the situation is as bad as everybody's been painting it, then I doubt they'd let the two of us go, even with Parker backing us."
Ranma lifted his eyes to meet Ryoga and tried to smile. "Looks like were heading back to China again."
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Author's Notes: I am so terribly sorry everyone. I know it's been absolutely forever since I updated. There's been far too many things happening in the last two months and I want to take the time to apologize right now. With only a few chapters left, I promise that I will have the story finished soon.