Battle Comrade: The Soviet Project chapter 1

The real story begins in the next chapter. Please rewiev about everything, no matter if it is good or bad.

After a long unconsciousness Sonoko woke up.

She felt that she slept at least two weeks, her head were buzzing and ached in every limb. It was a weird dream. Couldn't remember what was it about, the events of the last hours swirled in her head. She shook her head to wake up completely then realised, that they are in their classroom.

She straightened up quickly in her chair, for fear of that the teacher noticed her sleeping. She's always feared that one day will fell asleep on a boring lesson. It has already happened with Yaeka (usually sat next to Sonoko on the right side, Nana on the left) more than once. Therefore, if she was tired and had no strength to take notes, started to draw into the edge of the notebook (some of her notebooks can be proudly called painting books). But now she was asleep. 'Hope, nobody noticed it.'

'But where is the teacher? And why the others are sleeping?'

Everyone took his/her place in three-handed desks ordered into two coloumn. Next to Sonoko in the middle was sitting Rumiko, laid her head on the desk. Sonia was in her other side. The room was in total silence, olny 35 other students were sleeping placid and calm. Something's wrong with this whole thing. But ... the teacher's desk in its place, the large blackboard as well as the curtains on the windows... everything like before.

'So what?'

Soon she found out the first upsetting answer. She felt like she had pins and needles in her neck, so touched it and gasped for breath from the astonishment. There was something, something pretty cold and hard thing in her neck. That thing... looks like... maybe...

'Can it be? A collar? Like my dog's, Alice's?'

Rumiko had one, Sonia as well and Sonoko discovered on everyone else a strong, massive silver strap.

'What is this for? Knowing that there is around my neck ... breathing is already more difficult ... and I can't remove...'

The collar stirred a little as she tried to take down, but nothing else really happened. Cool. Somewhere, somehow they all became dogs.

It looked absolutley to her like they were in a horror story. 'There's one I've already read... called Battle Royale ... I guess ... Yes, when a class joins battle with each other to the last ditch... but why are we here?'

Suddenly the door opened with a loud thud and a short-haired, sad-eyed figure entered the classroom. He was wearing blue suit and gray pants. Three soldiers marched in behind him, left-right-left-right ... they stepped together, then stopped quickly and after a "face left!" drew back to the corner. They had fatigues on , the colour of their clothes were vary from the the leader's, so the four stranger were very freaky at the very first moment. It was even the slightest problem though, Sonoko wished she could but see hundreds of non-matched outfits (just take a look at her garderobe: a baby-blue Keyo top combined with a T-Shirt with the famous rockband, Guns'n Roses on it.), just to wait for the unknown future it was waiting for the whole 3/e.

While she had all these on the brain, the others woke up, everyone lifted up their head from the stinking desks. The leader noticed the squirm and stopped cleaning his nails with the rim of a thin paper sheet. Looked up, got down from the teacher's desk and had a look around at the confused students. He smiled and simply said:

"Battle Royale, let us the fight begin!"

He has just said aloud, everybody heeled the chairs and brought out some kind of weapon aimed at someone in random. The next few minutes were more terrifying than hell: cries, clash of arms, noise of breaking desks - these sounds filled out the room. There was a huge amount of blood in every corner, rendered the cream-painted walls into red.

Sonoko stood up to find a way out from this living chaos as soon as she can. She just got a peep of the door on her right hand (the door was also cream-painted, camouflaged in the wall) began to run. She was so much in a hurry, that almost fell over herself in a body covered in blood. One of her classmates is already dead. And soon the others will be dead, too. But she didn't care anymore. Just to reach that f*cking door-knob!

Unfortunately, she didn't caught it, because someone pulled her away from the door, from the path of escape.

That someone looked deeply into Sonoko's eye to grin into her face for the last time, before he kill her.
And who was the boy who faced Sonoko? Riki Ryusaki.

BOOM! A monstrous roar shook the classroom.
The classroom? And why does this room jolting? What makes this roaring sound?
Sonoko narrowly opened her eyes. She couldn't do it altogether, because some kind of brightness flustered them. She rose up her hand to cover her brow, now she could see ton better.

Rumiko stopped eating while she were looking at Sonoko:
"Did you see? Leon kissed her!" said angrily.
"Who? What?" she moaned with dry throat.

She needed some time coming to herself again. She felt like a guzzler, who drink herself blind, but she hasn't drink any booze since the last training camp. That was a great fun, Shinji Kudo was also there...

"Haven't you see? That she-wolf Angelina couldn't breath underwater and Leon helped her by kissing!" said Rumiko still watching the movie on the large-screen television of the bus.

As everyone else. Sonoko straightened up in her seat and saw that the whole class were watching Resident Evil: Degeneration, the new blockbuster movie.
"Oh, that?"

Yeah, maybe another class would watch a twee romantic film or a comedy, but for them horror kicks ass. Maybe people set them down a weirdie class not baseless.
'Everyone likes horror here. I wonder, what would they say to a Battle Royale. The second movie also came out for ages. Apropos, BR...'

Sonoko remembered the strange dream. She dreamed about exactly the Battle Royale. She couldn't tell how much she releaved that it was just a dream. But her mind remained still anxious. She had an evil foreboding.

But why did she dream like that? Could it be because of the book? They were just set out for the excursion, Sonoko had immediately brought out "the" book to take pride in it to Rumiko. Who could have Battle Royale, could account his or herself lucky. Why? The book, BR was pronounced taboo by the government (the government i.e., the Imperial Leadership - people still used to say so, this naming subsisted from the times of Republic), because the story is about Japan or rather the Republic of Greater East Asia and according to the author, its chief leaders are extraordinarily dishonest, brutal murderers, so this empire is unbeseeming to compare with the glorious Empire of the Rising Sun. Pity or not, it is always the good and interesting, what is forbidden, so everyone wants to have things, which are hard to obtain. Sonoko has her copy via his uncle, and she had kept it with great care until now. She saved up for that up three months because she knows the golden rule, that everything in the black market costs twice many as usual.

The book was Sonoko's secret, but she wanted to show it to Rumiko. Only for her, no any other person.

When they had read the back cover, the summary of the story, made sure that they will start reading it as soon as they can. They'll take turns at doing during the travelling and if one of them reads, the other will watch, not to came across by somebody. Of course, at the beginning of the journey it was too dangerous, because all the students had been in big excitement and gone often to their friend's seat. It had not been worth the risk. Thus, they had toyed with the idea, what would have been if their class had to fight such a Battle Royale match. They had made that only just for fun, but taking part in a real battle - that's not the same.

And so Sonoko went back on her reckless words, that she would try such a Project.

'Yeah' she smiled 'it was a sign from my guardian angel, how irresponsible I was.'

While she was sitting back into her place, which can be called anything just not comfortable - what is more: Etsumi Inukai and Yurisa Akera kept going to kick her and Rumiko's seat with great joy, was on the point to look after her headset. Probably she has lost it while she were sleeping. But Sonoko has found them soon and decided not to watch the Resident Evil, prefer listening to music ...

Every student believed that travelling by plane is far better than by bus. True, at first they all had a freaky felling in their stomach, as if it'd fall down into their legs. Most of the teenagers felt that, because they were on board at the first time. Except Fuyuki Egami perhaps, whose father is a doctor, so they can travel quite often. The root of the matter that travelling by plane can be more entertaining. Moreover, here can be slept. The circa eight-hour bus trip and the two-hour waiting for at the flight to London got the class tired.

But the Osaka-London flight of the Japan Airlines was successfully boarded and probably the whole flying time will be 4-6 hours long.

All the boys and girls talked about the same thing at the beginning of the flying. A rumour took wind among them that a bus had been transported from the Empire to England two months ago (similar to that coach they had been coming with) and whereupon they will arrive, the bus will be waiting for them at the London Airport. Very interesting. It would be easier to rent one, or not? The teachers said onto this, that it's more practical because you don't have to rent bus on every side, you can go with your own wherever you want.

More practical? Maybe, but no doubt it is more expensive. 'So that's why we won't stop anywhere between London and Barnstaple (maybe then if someone wants to go to the toilet, otherwise this travel will be a little smelly).' What a waste of time! They won't do anything on that forenoon, just sitting again.

The next interesting talk was about the guest-families. Everyone searched his/her name on the list, at which family which student will be accommodated. The school begun organizing this excursion since the beginning of the year, and the class had to fill in a questionnaire to know, which guest-family should accommodate certain people. That was important to prevent any concern, for example it's very sticky if a fur allergic person has to live at a dog-fancier family.

Sonoko hoped, she and Rumiko will be in good hands, wherever they get (they will be accommodated in groups of two or three). She would gladly written into her questionnaire, that she is only allergic to the plaza b*tches, but prefer not, that'd be a very naff introduction.

"Maybe travelling by plane is not so cool as I thought before." she said wearily, while she was resting her palm under her chin.

Rumiko looked questioningly at her.

"Just the blue sky and clouds everywhere." said Sonoko again.

"I think that's why it's so beautiful. Humanity can't harm it."

"And these oldies... they drive me crazy."

"Er..."

They looked around bemused. On the four-seats were sitting mainly oldies or people over their 50's. It is not enough that they always swarm busses, because they are retired and have many free times (and the bus tickets are free for them) - they are on the plane already. They want to sleep, so Sonoko and Rumiko neither can't watch TV nor listening to their OWN mp3 player. According to the oldies, it sounds too loudly. But who enjoys listening to music on the 6th volume?

'Why do they sleep so much? They will have plenty of time in the coffin... Ok, that was rude. But I won't take it back.'

Sonoko laughed from ear to ear. Then stopped it immediately.

Meitetsu Numai approached among the rows of seats. The members of the class was very far from one another because they had got tickets only in that way, therefore the accompanying-teachers thought, that the kids will push an advantage and drink like fish in secret. Well, not without reason.

"Look out, Rumiko! Numai's coming!" Sonoko cried a little louder she should, with that movement she alarmed a few sleeping grandma.

Rumiko immediately caught up her head and put the BR beneath her botty, so Mr. Meitetsu has just seen that the two girls laughed heartily. It doesn't appeal to him why do they were laughing. Girls usually laugh at any nothingness. Meanwhile, the teacher got by them unartfully like a phantom. His eyes scanned the seats like a laser beam, but alas! He found none he could punish.

'You will be pleased, won't you? If you could detect someone, you bastard!'

All the students in the Junior High School, even a several teachers reckons Mr. Meitetsu Numai as a sucker, but he is good at sh*tting on kids, who break the rules. He is the head of the student hostel of the high school and the school director's back-scratcher. That's why he can do anything and because of Mr. Meitetsu, they got the sack to the previous hostel director, Mr. Waki Kobayashi. He was that person, who wanted the best for the students in life. By the "structure-turnout" (collegians used to say that on the times Meitetsu came to the school), things went to the other extreme. The hours of slackness expired. And what is more, this man take the students for babies, as they were in a kindergarten. But if he finds someone doing illegal things, he comes up with these stupid doublespeak:

"You are already adults! How could you do that? It is all your responsibility from now!"

Only in this case. Anyway he looks down on everybody. No, thanks!

'By the way, why does he come with us? He can't speak English a bloody word! The words "yes" or "no" are no longer only English vocables, Japanese use them, too instead of "hai" and "iie" all over the Empire.'

Sonoko turned angrily toward the window. She could easily put herself into a passion with her own thoughts. Rather let it pass!

BTW, let's talk about the non-English speakers: the hostel-form teacher of the 3/e, why has Suzuna Kentaro (has the same surname as Amika) come with them? What the hell does she want in England? Only being their babysitter? Sonoko couldn't imagine any other reason. Sure, that's why Miss Kentaro came, she hates every form of entertaining. People can see her smile, when... when... never. But what kind of past she had... she were brought up by nuns, so she is very dutiful and rather die, only to fulfil her duty. And such a "workaholic" woman have been the hostel-form teacher of the greatest bum class of the universe.

' Mrs. Izumi Kasuse would fit much better with us, but we had to flunk back a year, she is the happy owner of the 2/e.'

Even though, Mrs. Teruna Fujinami is an English teacher, she doesn't teach them, only Mrs. Sara Akamatsu does. She teaches the first English group but can't do this normally or discipline at all, in vain she is a damn (wo)man of brains. Unfortunately, it makes no sense that she tells them about her dog, Sam round the clock.

So, these are the dirty-four, the elite of the accompanists.

A chill came over Rumiko, Sonoko woke out of her thoughts.

They thought Numai was coming back again. Instead of him the flight attendant came by and stopped near the girls with the buffet car. She turned unto the passengers on the other side of the row and gave Fukashi Murata (boys, #7) a sandwich, which was now at least his tenth order.

"Thank you." he said, and the money and the sandwich changed hands.

" It was you who paid so why did you thank?" next to Fukashi, sat Isato Okumura (boys, #9).

He saw that the girls near at hand laughing aloud. He was satisfied with the quirk he has just said.

Yeah, money. The course of exchange of yen is fairly high compared with war actualities. And it is on the rise. Only skeptics iterate the inflation on the news, but it won't due to happen before long. Prices have risen a bit, and the choice of goods isn't so rich either as before because the best quality products are transported into the front lines. Isn't the population of the Empire self-sacrificing?

'For real. We are directly going to bell the cat. Or the blue eagle?'

The blue eagle is the symbol of the Allies. Although this excursion betokens Emperor Yoshiro's will for peace, actually he had started the war. His father was simply a politician, but Yoshiro dubbed himself Emperor, after "accidentally" discovered common affinity with the ancestors of the greatest monarchs. He was very succesful as an emperor thanks to his son, Crown Prince Tatsu and the construction of the Floating Fortress, a really monstrous swimming-base, which could be moved to any corner of the world, where the surface is covered with water, and sure there's enough space. Japan's military success lies in that. Until the communist-minded Soviet Republic and the USA-centric Allies co-operate against the "common enemy" in order to negotiate. The Emperor and the leading preferred to sign truce, because too many brave patriots died in battles.

It would be but true! Everyone could see, the Empire of the Rising Sun is weakened, can't hold out too long against the Soviet-Allies alliance. It is a small island-country after all with some archipelago colonies. All the other nations are their enemies, which don't yield to the Empire.

Sonoko'd love to read, what does the popular newspaper called Yomiuri Shimbun say about that topic - the school also subscribed to it, Nichie Shiomi and Benika Hoshino (girls, #11, #3) are the most enthusiastic readership from 3/e, there can be found always a copy in their pocket. Sonoko is only used to do the crosswords or read the horoscope (Nana made pun and named it "stroboscope") with her closest friends: Nana, Midori, Sonia and Rumiko.

The rest of the dayflight was calmer the students stayed in their place and talked only with their neighbours. At least they didn't disturbed the oldies.

By the time the plane has landed on the London airport, the class got ready to become acquainted with this brand new country. They were all excited and looking forward to see more than hurrying people in a crowd. It wasn't odd anymore, they just wanted to see anything else. For the present, the speech of the wayfaring folk meant something new, everywhere, everyone used English as their main language. Wow, we are really in Great Britain! Yay!

Mrs. Sara Akamatsu led the class on a less busy corner with the help of Mr. Meitetsu Numai not far from the airport building. They did not want to wait at the bus in spotlight, because the British stared at them without any shame and pointed at them: 'Look, a group from the enemy!' The really butts showed up their "f*ckyou" fingers and pelted them with abuses.

"What are we waiting for?" asked a boy from the ends of the group.

Sonoko recognized Goushi Kakutama's voice.

Teacher Sara would like to give the answer but Mrs. Fujinami said officiously before her:

"For the bus, my dear."

"I am not your dear." Goushi muttered quietly , but the others in the front could hear it, because everyone started laughing. Only Mrs. Fujinami didn't give any sign whether she had heard or not.

The teachers were waiting in silence, the teenagers continued the cheerful chatting as usual. Ayami was philandered by Fuyuki, Kirika by Michio Otomo, as usual. The rest of the class stand apart from one another by cliques.

Can't tell how much time has passed since they were waiting at the coach, when Sonoko noticed something interesting. She were lying on the ground, just like everyone else. Norito Royama was next to her, but he entertained Anri Souma moments ago. What happened?

She felt very tired and also had a ringing and throbbing feeling in her head. Just like she would have been knocked down with a baseball bat. Her limbs cramped by something, she couldn't remember. OMG, why is she so exhausted? Someone drained all her strength! She couldn't stand up or sink on her knees, even lift up her head. But she saw the others, they were also scattered around on the ground, lying unconscious . It seemed like after a hit raid in the Middle Age.

Cool. King Arthur tried the power of the legendary Excalibur on it an honour, class! It would never happen again in your life!

Suddenly she caught sight of yellow cordons in the background, behind them, curious people gathered together but some men in fatigues - obviously soldiers, they bear arms - kept them out. And those who kept guard on this inner side dressed in suit of armour, they could be members of some special corps[1].

Sonoko was so washed-out, that she could see sharp less far than usual. She could see Yamato Chiba's face (boys, #2) dimly on her other side.

She wondered about what does these people want from them? What did they do? These soldiers let them lying on the ground under the public eye. Thousands of people, the whole airport can see them. The thing is that the superpowers signed truce, or not? They came right to better the hostility among the superpowers! Someone hadn't been informed about this?

'What would happen if you didn't ask so much? My head got sore.'

These were Sonoko's last thoughts, she fell into a deep sleep, her head fell lifeless on his arm. Her right hand slid down to the thigh and stuck in a small-sized whatsit, it was a syringe projectile. If she had noticed this she would have realized some questions she asked herself before.

And to top it all, if she remained awake for at least a minute she would see more startlers. Beside the armoured troops there were other men walking in red jacket, with Kalashnikov in their hands. On their shell-jackets, there could be seen the symbol of the Soviet Union, the dark red-yellow crest so-called sickle and hammer. The crest of that Soviet Union, whose Premier absolutely stood against the peace conference.

[1] Yeah, they were Peacekeepers.