Full Metal Panic Wish

by Steve Edward

While walking from Christmas shopping, Lieutenant Kaname Chidori and Sergeant Souska Sagara run into an old friend of their on the run and it turns into a battle royal for Kaname and Souska.

2. Chapter 2

Full Metal Panic!

Chapter Two

Wish

By Steve Edward

Sunday, 0100 hours, West Tokyo, Japan

Bungo patting his pocket smiled at the shopkeeper who had bowed towards him as he and his fellows left. The shopkeeper had paid his protection on time for a change. The last time when he had been late resulted in an unfortunate incident to his store.

Entering the cold, Bungo heading for the next "appointment" with his muscle flanking him on either side strolled into an alley that he always took for a shortcut.

As Bungo approached the other end, three figures stepped into his path. Bungo spoke "If you know what's good for you, I suggest you move." None of the figures replied or showed any indication that they were concerned over his threat.

Slipping his hands into his pocket, he slipped on his fighting implements of choice then advanced, but as he did so he sensed that the avenue of retreat to their rear was closed and glancing over his shoulder there were three more figures behind them.

Kurz Weber seeing the glint of metal brass knuckles finally spoke as Bungo and his goons picked up the pace then breaking into a run finally said out loud "Well now, so you really want to fight? Sorry, but we can't oblige," and raising a tranquilizer rifle fired in rapid succession hitting all three.

Sunday, 0400 hours, Eagle Safe House, Location Unknown

An Eagle operative standing inside the observation room turned to the door as Drake Ward entered. On the other side of the one-way mirror sat a slouching Bungo, smirking towards the glass. Drake Ward nodded then spoke "So you got all three?"

The operative a former Tokyo police officer replied "Yes sir. They were making their "rounds", getting protection money from shopkeepers. The other two are in separate rooms as requested. Bungo is playing it cool for now; but he has been known to get a bit rough when in custody."

Drake replied "Bungo may think he is tough, but he is about find out just how serious we are at finding that missing boy." The operative replied "So your own medical consultants confirmed those of ours?" Drake retrieving his PDA from his coat and activating the screen spoke "Affirmative. Furthermore my people are requesting any information on the accident that claimed the lives of the parents to be forwarded to them regarding medical outcomes. Can you see to that taking place?" The operative bowed slightly and then said "I will have that carried out immediately."

Drake Ward looking at Bungo mused out loud "Ok tough guy. You and me," then leaving the observation room, Drake walked to the next door which was guarded by two more operatives and then directing them to open the door; entered the interrogation room and locked eyes with Bungo.

Bungo doing his best to play tough found himself face to face with Drake Ward. Ward looking directly at him pulled the opposite chair out from the table then sitting removed his PDA from his jack and glancing at the screen and stabbing several commands onto the keyboard which had silently unfolded from the device spoke "I have little patience this morning so drop the act. You have some choices and they are to tell me what I want to know and you with your friends will be able to leave but you will be turned over to the police for that little scam you are running or if you refuse, I can and will resort to using force and no one will ever see you or your friends again alive. What will it be Bungo?"

Sunday, 0700 Hours, Samuel Eliot Morison TDD-2

"Was that really necessary Commander Ward?" asked Captain Simms as he reviewed the interrogation statements on his mini-data terminal.

Drake replied "I regret that I was implying to him that he would suffer certain consequences, but it served its purpose. He spilt the beans so to speak."

Andrew spoke "Ok, so what is the status of the girl?" Drake replied "In protective custody of a branch of Eagle at our living complex. The remaining children have been taken into custody by legitimate social workers; and we are trying to find her brother now; but damn it Andrew he was no longer at that clinic!"

Captain Simms spoke "Keep up the search. According to Doctor Albert, the child is no good to them dead. It is sickening to think, but his AB Negative blood type along with the gene that he carries is apparently critical to someone. George seems to think that because of the rarity of the procedure and specialized equipment required that very few public or even private hospitals have the wherewithal to carry it out. Focus on that angle. Good luck, Simms out." Typing into his data terminal then turning towards Lieutenant Alice Wren, Captain Simms said "Looks like we need to pickup the pace." Lieutenant Wren replied "Aye sir. Helm, all engines to flank speed make turns for 70 knots." Petty Office Kayla Carter replied "Engines to flank speed turns for 70 knots, aye."

Kyoko Tokiwa waited as Charlotte Ward closed the bedroom door then spoke "She has been through a difficult time." Charlotte entering the living room of the apartment replied "Yes she has…" but did not say anything further. Sitting nearby was Tokyo Police Inspector Fusao Ito who was following her movements as he spoke "But she will be safe here for the time being. Ms Tokiwa, why did you deceive the police in the first place? We could have handled this without the need of involving a private agency no matter that you do have friends that work for them."

Charlotte Ward replied "Inspector Ito, the company decided to become involve. My husband can attest to that, now what do you know that you are not telling us?"

Ito glancing at Kyoko spoke "First off, we have been investigating cases of children who have been separated from their family members involving the deaths of their immediate guardians for over eight months. Chi and her brother Tai came to our attention because the grandparents of the children were not awarded custody which would have been normal in such a situation where the parents are deceased."

Kyoko spoke "Eight months? Eight months of what?" Ito replied "Intense undercover investigations, now which have been compromised. This just does not include Japan, but Korea, China and other Asian countries."

Charlotte replied "Undercover investigations into what inspector?" Ito replied "Human donors. Even though 21st century medical technology is able to replicate and even replace many organs within the human body there are certain factors that preclude the use of that technology."

Kyoko spoke "Those involved in accidents would be taken to local trauma centers. It is a matter of course that they would have their blood tested. Any special blood types would require notification of blood banks and the blood type would then be registered in the national registry and shared with those of other nations?" Ito replied "That is what I believe is taking place. Chi and Tai's parents both survived the initial crash but died later of their injuries. Tai though young was considered for donating blood to his mother as was his sister Chi. Unfortunately she passed before that option could be carried out."

Hearing the apartment door opening, Charlotte turned towards the hallway then saw her husband Drake Ward followed by Melissa Mao and Kaname Chidori enter. Drake seeing the gathering addressed Inspector Ito, "Good to see that you are still here. We need to chat in private." Inspector Ito nodded then rose from his seat and followed Drake Ward to a side room where Ward closed the door.

Kaname Chidori joining Kyoko spoke "So how bad did the inspector chew you out?" Kyoko replied "I've been through worse, its not the first time." Melissa setting her lanky frame onto the sofa next to Charlotte spoke "You never realize just how many hospitals and clinics that there are. The so called orphanage is or was a front for a private clinic. Half the children in there had rare blood types, it was like a…" Charlotte Ward replied softly "Incubation center, only they were keeping them to serve as donors to the highest paying recipient who would not ask any questions." Melissa seeing Charlotte's sad expression replied "Yeah that about sums it up."

Sunday, 1100 hours, Tokyo Police Headquarters Investigative Division

Inspector Ito passed the empty desks of those not on duty this day, followed by Kaname Chidori and Souska Sagara. Passing his office, he continued towards a special room which was heavily secured and guarded twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Showing his identification to the officers and signing in both Sagara and Chidori the trio then entered.

Inspector Ito waiting for his eyes to adjust said "I call it the "Plot" room. We can track every single incident by type and present it on the screens around us. It helps when we have a situation where there may be a pattern. In our current investigation, this is where we stand now."

Approaching a terminal operator, the inspector spoke "Please present the "Blood Line Case" and display from first incident."

The screens all changed, and displayed color coded markers. Each marker represented a private orphanage or home as Kaname and Souska learned later. Ito walking to a nearby terminal station, then sitting before it rolled the pointer around on each location then said "We first became aware of children not being turned over to relatives when several filed complaints about this problem. You can see each is similar in nature, where both parents were killed in accidents. Kyoko's assumption that the national blood register is being used to locate donor candidates is correct. However who is accessing the information is difficult because of the large number of medical institutions both here in Japan and overseas has access rights."

Kaname replied "The key is donor. What institutions would use the database to narrow down individuals of specific bloodlines? My mother was involved in Red Cross rescue operations and assisted in donations. She told me one time that the blood distribution centers would ship blood to hospitals on request when certain types got low."

Ito said "That is true Miss Chidori. However there are numerous medical facilities that receive whole blood; however there is the matter of those with rare types of bloodlines that are listed as organ donors. This is where we see the children been prized for their organs." The inspector pecking at the keyboard looked up at the screens then said "The color coded identifiers show those that have legitimacy. There are quit a few, but we believe the transplants if you will are not being carried out at those institutions; but elsewhere."

Sagara spoke "Where is that elsewhere Inspector?" There are certain specialized hospitals not open to the general public. Bankrolled by those seeking donors who are a match to their particular needs; these are the ones we will have to investigate." Typing then clicking his mouse the inspector brought a file to the desk top then clicking once more turned towards a laser printer as it began printing and said "Since Eagle is cooperating with the police and providing man power for the investigation, the list that I am printing is for you Mister Sagara and Miss Chidori. Those will be the rather private hospitals you will each have to check." Handing the printout to Sagara, Inspector Ito spoke "Good luck to the both of you."

To the south and east of Tokyo, Japan a storm front began to develop. Forecasters at first showed little concern for the low pressure system as the current high pressure system that had brought relief from the previous snow storm was still in place, but as the police and Eagle operatives began to scour Tokyo and its environs no one had any inkling as to just how bad things were going to get in the next 36 hours.

Monday, 0800 hours, Mithril Apartment Complex, Tokyo, Japan

Commander Drake Ward massaged his temples then returned his attention back to the monitor. With police conducting checks as well as the Eagle operatives that had been assigned, the young boy Tai still had yet to be found. As for the workers of the private orphanage and clinic, all were surprisingly foreign nationals and though they had been briefly detained for questioning none could be held for any length of time.

None had talked, and the registered business owner of the orphanage was conveniently out of the country. With the Japanese Social Services in somewhat of a disarray from having to remove the children from that one orphanage and place them in a state run facility, Drake doubted they would be of much help.

Commander Ward's assumption that things would get difficult was proving to be true. Kaname Chidori and Souska Sagara were on the third page of their printout when they crossed paths with Melissa Mao and Kurz Weber.

Sitting outside at a coffee shop, Kaname and Melissa traded their lists look each over then handing them back. Melissa spoke "The remaining teams are finding zilch as well. We either got lucky and shutdown the entire operation or they have moved on taking that boy with them."

Kaname replied "Was it just one single group doing all of this? Inspector Ito showed us a historical timeline going back eight months, and frankly it is impossible to determine where it all began because the reports all came in about the same time. Even the private orphanages involved changed names during the interim or folded and went out of business and transferred their wards to other facilities."

Kurz Weber spoke "We came across some of those places too. According to what we have learned, most were in converted commercial buildings with short term leases, some month to month. But here is something that we found out," passing a notepad over to Kaname; Weber continued "A company called Grantz Limited had setup these facilities. We already tried the phone number but it goes to an answering system. Me and Melissa were about to go over and check out the listed address for the office. Do you two want to tag along?"

Kaname returning the notepad to Weber replied "Sure. Maybe we can save some time by having them provide us with a list of their facilities." Melissa spoke "Ok, but let's tell Commander Ward where we are going first. That way if they don't hear from us they can send others to check up on us."

Monday, 0900 Hours, Grantz Limited, Central Tokyo

The gathering was small in number. The heated discussions had lasted for two hours with disagreements running rampant till the designated chairman brought forth order.

"It is obvious that our Japan operations have been compromised and the authorities will eventually visit to ask questions and will make demands. We were to wait to the New Year before carrying out the final plans but now it can not wait. Fumiki, has arraignments been made for the facility?"

Fumiki reviewed the items on his PDA before speaking then said "Yes Chairman they have. The child will be moved today as planned and will be at the facility by nightfall. As for our offices, all that is left is to remove the computers and we will be done here."

The chairman sitting back reflected at the costs. Grantz Limited was but a shell corporation which funneled monies and acted as a go-between. There would be some minor losses from this setback but overall for everyone involved there was a tremendous profit.

The Chairman spoke "All of you know what to do. There will be no further discussions on this matter. Prepare to leave within the hour and Merry Christmas to all of you." The Chairman rising from his chair turned and exited the small conference room closing the door behind him.

Melissa Mao slammed her fist into a nearby wall in frustration. They had found the offices of Grantz, but they were gone. There were signs of the hurried departure, computer network cables still snaked from their outlets on the floor and walls but no computers were found and what papers still lying about contained nothing useful.

Kaname entering the conference room found it in disarray, scattered drink cups on the floor and crushed into the nearby waist receptacle yielded no clues either.

Kurz Weber entering the offices followed by the building manager spoke "Hey guys, find anything?" Melissa shielding the damage she had caused to the wall replied "Nothing. Looks like they high tailed it and quick. Who's that with you?"

Weber replied "The building manager. She told me something interesting." Sagara spoke "And what would that be Mister Weber?"

The woman bowed slightly then spoke "They utilized the building's internet portal and central server system. Their e-mail was routed to them from the portal and into their own systems. We have all their e-mail still on the server. Your search request does include obtaining that data. Where shall I send it before it is deleted?"

Melissa dug a business card from her pocket and then gave it to the young woman and spoke "Send all of it to that e-mail address, and would it be possible to get a CD data disk of those files just in case something goes haywire?"

The woman nodded then withdrew two mini-data disks and spoke "I have already done so. You may have these."

Monday, 1300 Hours, Eagle Tower

Drake Ward viewed the technicians working on the data retrieved from the former Grantz offices. Seeing one leave her work station, Drake waited for her to enter the conference room, as Melissa Mao elbowed Kurz in the ribs again and said "Just what did you say to that woman at that building? She was like anticipating everything that I asked?"

Kurz with a sly smile replied "Like I said, it is my secret."

Drake spoke "You can argue with him later Sergeant Major, but he got the job done. Let's see what the tech has been able to obtain for us."

The woman entered the conference room then approaching a data terminal typed several commands and then turned towards a large display screen and said "A majority of the e-mails are or I should say were encrypted using commercial programs, but the encryption was simple to break. There are a large number of visual files. They would appear to anyone just to be digital photographs. Many contain scenes of couples on vacations or trips; but strip the encoding away and you have these that appear."

Drake replied "That type of deception has been used for nearly 30 years. It was first used by Middle-East terrorists in the early 2000's." The tech replied "That is correct Mister Ward, however besides the visual display of the child; that individual file also contains these files. Our medical section reports that they are medical reports of specific conditions." Bringing the individual files to the screen, the tech stepped back as Drake stood and walked to display monitor to study the information.

Drake spoke "Not conditions, but test results and what each candidate donor would be suitable for. Using these digital photographs, I want comparisons run on all the children that were reported missing from the police reports and if by chance you find a match on a boy named Tai please inform me immediately. Also by chance can you strip that medical information when you come across it and along with the digital photographs prepare to forward to an e-mail address?"

The tech replied "That will be carried out immediately sir. What about the general e-mail? Any specific keyword search?" as Ward turned away from the monitor he said "Anything related to the medical field, but focus on treatment, operation, doctor and blood." The tech acknowledged the request then withdrew from the conference room.

Kyoko Tokiwa had enough of hiding and distracting Charlotte Ward had managed to slip away from the Mithril Apartment Complex. Kyoko ensuring she was not being followed had returned to her apartment where she set about trying to write her article. Her jumbled notes were the first order of business.

Though she had given the photographs she had taken of Chi to Kaname, Kyoko had not given everything. There had been another camera and it was hidden in her carry-all bag. The camera could be triggered discreetly and she had taken numerous digital stills which she now was reviewing. Attaching a small printer, she printed out ones of interest and using a jeweler's magnifier loop studied each more closely.

Monday, 1800 Hours, Samuel Eliot Morison TDD-2

Commander Drake Ward looking slightly angry on the bridge monitor spoke "I did not think that Miss Tokiwa would pull such a stunt, any blame falls squarely on me and not my wife. She is not in the guard business by any means captain."

Captain Andrew Simms replied "I am not blaming you in the least bit. What kind of information did she share with you?"

Drake replied "Only a few photographs from one of her digital cameras, just the basics. But I am having second thoughts about Kyoko myself. She is a highly active photojournalist, and from conversations with Inspector Ito she has been one to find trouble. He said she had a carry-all modified to carry a concealed camera system but I never had the chance to ask her for its contents. If she has anything she is not sharing it with us."

Andrew turned towards Lieutenant Wren then spoke "Alice? Presume she headed for her apartment. What would you do?" Lieutenant Wren replied "Get organized and quickly. I have a deadline to meet and because I am a freelancer I have to get things right and on time. I can't be constrained by anyone, I have will make my own leads and will follow them, of course assuming of course she had used that concealed camera system."

Andrew turned back and addressing Commander Ward spoke "I assume you sent people back to the apartment and no joy?"

Ward replied "Sergeant Major Mao reports she made another hole, but no Kyoko. But we got lucky; the printer that Miss Tokiwa utilizes has an onboard min-drive for storage. It's on the way to Eagle, which by the way did Doctor Albert get those files we found?"

Andrew replied "About the hole perhaps you can explain that later, but yes the good doctor got the files. He fears that the children whose photos were attached are likely deceased, since based on the test results the proposed procedures would lead to their deaths."

The loud audible snap of a wooden pencil breaking seemed to echo through the audio of the transmission. Andrew spoke "I'm sorry Drake, but that is based on Doctor Albert's professional review of each case. The only good news I can say is that Tai did not appear in any of the data files you forwarded. We can presume that there was not enough time to prepare for him or they never sent any e-mails from that location with him as a subject."

Ward replied "Well that's some comfort. I am going to try to find Kyoko. She is putting distance between us and the police setting her own path. If it is to get the scoop of the month, she is treading on thin ice. Thanks for the insight from Doctor Albert, Ward out."

Andrew sitting back in the command chair thinking about reestablishing communications was interrupted by Lieutenant Taz Norton, the Samuel Eliot Morison's Intelligence Officer.

"Sir, I have the latest metrological report. You should look at this." Captain Simms accepting the digital tablet replied as he read through it "So even after five months the weather is still abnormal, thanks to that screwed up Russian Lambda Driver test."

Taz replied "The after effects have enhanced certain conditions, but still the earth got off lucky. However there is no doubt, the storm will most likely strike within 24 hours and Eastern Japan which includes the metropolitan area of Tokyo will take the brunt of it. If anyone had a wish for a white Christmas they will get it in spades."

Andrew replied "Recommendations? We will be off the harbor entrance by midnight. Though it is deep in most places, I don't fancy having to dodge anchor and anchor chains of ships seeking shelter."

Taz spoke "I would recommend holding position. I have reviewed the shipping schedules and there are few if any ships currently at anchor; however as this forecast spreads surface traffic will be picking up, mostly smaller vessels. I would expect that the SDF will be recalling patrols to the safety of their harbor berths so there will be considerable military traffic."

Captain Andrew Simms replied "Recommendation accepted. We'll take holding station at Point-Alfa. That will keep us clear of any surface ships running fast to seek shelter. Lieutenant Wren, amend night orders set depth to 175 meters and deploy the satellite communications buoy upon arrival." Lieutenant Wren acknowledged the orders, then glanced at the clock displaying the time in Tokyo. This time tomorrow, while they were safe and cozy the search teams in Tokyo would be battling Mother Nature that had gone insane.

Kyoko Tokiwa had left the apartment in time to see the Amazonian partner to Kaname Chidori, Melissa Mao enter the apartment. She was still kicking herself mentally for leaving the printer behind, but it would have weighed her down. Now all she had was her carry-all which served as her office on the go.

Chi's request still haunted her. The only thing the young girl wanted was her brother back for Christmas. The few clues that she had been an image of an e-mail displayed on the screen of a monitor; among the few lines she could read was something mentioning a slip number. So Kyoko was making her way along the vast Port of Tokyo.

Kyoko's persistence paid off, and standing unobserved for now she studied the vessel before her in the distance. It was little more than 100 meters in length and in its earlier days may have been a small cruise ship. But what it was now would have surprised her. There was considerable activity, trucks arriving and departing and Kyoko setting her sights on one cargo truck hopped into the back and hid among the cargo finding large crates around her.

Shifting the loose cover of one crate Kyoto slipped within and pulling the top shut began to burrow into the packing material. By the time the truck arrived, Kyoko lay curled at the bottom of the crate listening to the voices of men around her as orders were shouted. The metal of the machine was cold through her pants leg. Unable to know what she had chosen to ride along with, Kyoko hoped it would be a while before they unpacked it and braced herself as the crate was lifted from the bed of the truck with a jerk; it was lifted to the ships deck.

Monday, 2000 Hours, Eagle Tower

The technician removed the cable from the printer's data port and placed the machine back within the box in which it had arrived. Turning his attention to the huge monitors arrayed about the walls, displayed the photos in no discernable order as he focused his attention to bringing out the details.

Kaname Chidori watching from the waiting area viewed the images then addressing Melissa Mao said "Kyoko is enterprising, but why did she do this to me? I would have been reasonable in sharing the information."

Mao leaning back and looking towards the ceiling replied "She may have had her reasons Kaname. She is after all a reporter and she has learned to keep things close to her. Inspector Ito's run-in's with Tokiwa proves that. Tokiwa is trying to prove herself, just as you have been doing with Mithril."

Kaname toed the floor briefly in thought then replied "What makes you think I have something to prove?" Melissa smiled then replied "Because you are a "Whispered". Don't take it wrong, but you have a tremendous amount of the smarts, but how you use them is another matter. Take that little stint as prize captain of the UX-4500. Captain Simms took you under his tutelage to give you command experience. You had to prove to all of those Mithril personnel that you had the guts to handle the decisions and you did after Captain Simms was wounded. It's no secret what happened. Did you know Tessa gave serious consideration to sinking the UX-4500 after that incident, but what you did changed her mind, and allowed you to continue with that old boat to Melida Island. Then we go on to our trip to the Artic Circle. You saw things you should have never experienced and handled it with aplomb. Need I say more? Yeah you had to prove things not only to yourself, but to everyone else; especially Tessa, and think about the scenario of having to ask Tessa if we could get involved in the search for a missing kid. Tessa has her priorities as does Captain Simms who is acting senior decision maker while she is away. Which way would have things gone had Tessa been the one to decide? Captain Simms gave a quick go ahead with few details available. Tessa might have waited for more information."

Kaname spoke "Kyoko has to prove to herself that she can get things done without leaning on someone like a crutch. She struggles to make ends meet, while I live in comfort. Things have changed for both of us." Melissa replied "In more ways than you can imagine…" as the technician interrupted and spoke "Miss Chidori, Miss Mao? I've cleaned up the details.

Entering the work area with Melissa, Kaname noted several had photos of computer monitors or more precisely what had been displayed at that moment. The graying technician spoke "The camera is fixed focus, low light capable with a 15.5 Mega Pixel resolution. Max working range is about 3.5 meters total."

Clicking his mouse, the tech continued "Unfortunately the monitor is at an angle and I can not bring out the sender or receivers address information, but the message relates to a ship and a slip number. No specifics for the name of the ship either. Something about schedule for the ship's departure which is obscured, but the date is for Tuesday which regards the time of boarding to take place which can not be read."

Melissa spoke "A slip? Like a pier berth maybe?" The tech turned back to his screen and enhanced the section again then replied "That's what I am making out. But Miss Mao, you do know that there a large number of piers and slips in the Port of Tokyo and that is even surmising that it is a slip in the port itself, we have very little else to go with. The remaining photos are of the former occupants of that shutdown orphanage and some interior shots."

Kaname spoke "Except for the image of the monitor return all the photos to their original states. I want to see all of them please." The tech obliged then turned towards Kaname "Ok except for the monitor everything is back to their original forms."

Kaname Chidori turned slowly as she viewed each image then froze in place and pointed towards image number seven "That one. The far wall! Focus on the poster!"

As the image jumped into focus, Kaname read the Kanji characters then said "Christmas Eve Cruise! Can you bring out the ship itself, maybe the name of it?"

Mao joining Kaname spoke "Taking orphans out on a cruise and on Christmas? That's a bit odd?" as Kaname replied "How and where the children have been disappearing, has just been answered. What about the name?" The tech shook his head and replied "Too damn small. Remember what I said about range of that camera your friend is using. Consider us lucky in getting that!"

Turning on her heel, Kaname headed for the door speaking towards Mao "We need to get down to the port area and find that ship. Kyoko is already there! Let's go Melissa."

Mao removing her cell phone spoke "Hold your horses; we need to alert Mister Ward first." But head strong as she was, Kaname Chidori did not even pause as she replied "We'll do it on the move," leaving Mao behind with the technician who spoke "Better get moving, I'll notify Mister Ward and forward the images to him. That ship you are looking for, it's going to be small maybe an old cruise ship and it is not with any cruise line that carries the letter G logo; likely a very private line, a charter vessel for those wanting discretion if you catch my drift," as Mao breaking into a trot to catch Kaname replied "That I do, thanks for the help."

The intelligence officer, Lieutenant Taz Norton was not far off on his summery of the upcoming weather event. With winds rising and temperatures beginning to fall the Japanese Metrological Service began broadcasting urgent warnings. Commander Drake Ward experience as a sailor with harsh weather viewed the changes taking place both as good and bad.

The good side was the fact that if their target was the small cruise ship, it could in fact hold the ship in port; however the downside the storm would affect their own movements.

Charlotte Ward watched in apprehension as Mithril personnel scrambled about the living complex preparing to move out. Ward decided against utilizing the M9's, since the snow now falling heavier by the hour would prevent them from being able to use their ECS systems, so three eight-wheel drive LAV's or Light Armored Vehicles were being prepped for departure. It was 2200 hours.