Do you know the warm progress under the stars?
Do you know we exist?
Have you forgotten the keys to the kingdom
Have you been borne yet and are you alive?
Let's reinvent the gods, all the myths of the ages
Celebrate symbols from deep elder forests
Have you forgotten the lessons of the ancient war
We need great golden copulations
The fathers are cackling in trees of the forest
Our mother is dead in the sea
Do you know we are being led to slaughters by placid admirals and fats slow generals are
getting obscene on young blood?
An American Prayer - The Doors
August 4, 2007, Yokohama, UEG
The great city on Tokyo Bay lay defeated after the constant riots attacks in many years of that urban struggle that had devastated Japan. In the early of 2007 an organized mercenary force linked to the Anti-Unification named Ashigaru, after the ancient feudal warriors, had taken permanent shelter in the rural areas around Yokohama by carrying out constant attacks and raids and threatening the civilians. For this reason the High Command of the RDF had deployed a considerable part of its troops in the Japanese territories, aware that the Anti-Unification terrorists had been trying, for about a year, to annihilate the RDF Base in New Tokyo, which stretched for miles beneath the city in a similar way of the Alaska Base High Command Center. Moreover, since about two years, the UEG had formally left the Government buildings, leaving all the bureaucratic and legislative items to a bunch of colonels of the Defense Forces: Japan lived in actual fact in a state of police, with very precise rules of conduct and a very strict curfew. Not even to say it, many Japanese civilians did wish to escape to the near Pacific islands, at least temporarily. But many others did not want to leave their homeland and were somehow looking forward to the future.
Lin Baoxiong was carefully and stealthily opening the rolling shutter of the Chinese restaurant he owned in the old downtown Chinatown. The restaurant has been very busy and attended in the last ten years: this is why, despite the escalation of violence during the civil war, his business has continued almost uninterruptedly... It had to be said that most of his customers were soldiers or government personalities as the civilians could not easily afford the luxury of dining in a restaurant, as the costs had risen enormously due to the war. Among his clients, there were also some not entirely clean crowds of people that Lin Baoxiong didn't want to think about.
The man thought with regret, of how many times he had to pretend nothing, when those guerrillas and mobsters who behaved like the owners of the city, and were rash enough to circulate during the night, entered his place just before curfew.
He bitterly thought that this was the price to pay to keep a decent life with his family, clenching the teeth and waiting for the end of the war. The restaurant had a pompous and very detailed entrance, with two huge golden cats standing on the door jambs. They were Maneko, the cat that calls, and Lin Baoxiong had had them personally reproduced according to a figurine that he jealously guarded. Since he had it, his success in that business had never stopped. He crossed the spacious hallway embellished with bells and bamboo plants. Votive messages hanging from the branches. After turning on all the lights he looked around to make sure that the washing was done and his attention turned on an left mopo standing on the jamb of the kitchen door.
A step further on, a bucket full of dirty water stood in the middle of the floor.
Lin Baoxing frowned.
-That boy is way too careless.
Then he smiled
- Maybe he's in love...
As he was writing his shopping list, a bicycle throwing at full speed against the entrance pulled him out of the focus. The bell on the back door rocked slowly
-I apologize for the delay Shijin!(Boss)
A young boy of about 16 years of age, with slant-eyed and long, straight, black hair that kept falling down on his brow, entered the shining kitchen, which smelled of lemon and mint. All surfaces and floors were shiny in the half-light.
-Good morning to you boy! The street market has opened in an hour. This is the list.
The young lad made a bow taking the paper that his chief was handing him.
-Today there will be mullets. It's Saturday and we are expecting the soldiers of the RDF .
Lin Baoxiong kept his cool stare on the kid.
-Yes sir, on my way! I just need you a favour: let me keep my reflex camera in your office, would you?
-You went shooting around the bay again at dawn, huh, Rick? I won't be surprised if you get caught up in some attack some day.
The boy burst out laughing as he put on his jacket, it had his name embroidered in romanji lettering: Rick Yamada (1).
-I could take the picture that will make history. Actually I have never seen an attack with my own eyes, sir.
-And pray never see one. And that the war may end!
Rick Yamada ran out into the sparkling air, jumping on his bike. Then he shouted loud - Hey shujin!
-What's still on!- yelled back Lin Baoxiong, sticking his head out the backdoor.
-Uh well...I...I was wondering, since it's Saturday... Minmay-chan will be at the restaurant today!?
Lin Baoxiong squinted his eyes surprised:
-Ahhh? What my daughter is doing is not in your interest! Smartass!
He took the rag he was carrying on his shoulder and tried to whip the boy. But Rick Yamada jumped on his bike and disappeared around the corner still laughing.
Lin Baoxiong smiled, while coughing. He somehow really cared about that boy and condoned him almost everything.
The RDF ground troops camps were located all around the north of the city and along the bay, while the air troops, with Hughes aircraft, stationed in the metropolitan area of New Tokyo. All fighter pilots had taken camp in the area immediately adjacent to the airport of the huge cityscape. They had been living there for about four months. The hangars, as in the whole country, had been temporarily seized by the army to recover their aircraft. Among them, some prototypes of variable fighter that could switch on three different configurations The High Command had planned to use Japan as a test field for these new mechas. The war was worse than elsewhere, including the northern European states bordering Alaska Base. With this move, the United Government intended to give the revolts a final blow by crushing them with a kind of weapon they absolutely could not fight. That would have annihilated them.
-If memory serves me well, this sort of "final solution" has already happened, in another century, in another war, but in this very country
Second Lieutenant of the RDF Jack Archer, spoke subtly, just staring at the void.
-In what sense?
- In the sense... that I mean. Have you ever studied history, sergeant?
Jack this time looked at him, disgusted, spitting out a trail of smoke through his teeth.
-History was not among my skills at Academy, remember?
Jack Archer smiled slightly.
-l do Hiro. Well, not even among mine. I 've always preferred practice to study. But now I got some relief in reading these stories from the past... To see how mankind cyclically repeats its own mistakes.
-Definitely... this mission made you kind of philosopher
said Hiro Hishi mocking him.
Jack Archer stood up, with arms on his knees, he threw the butt of the cigarette on the floor.
-Get up. Today we got a patrol scheduled in the Yokohama metropolitan area, maybe till the bay.
Hiro smiled eagerly as he jumped up. He was tall, but not nearly as his superior. He wore short, almost shaved hair that showed a star-shaped scar on the back of his neck. He had elongated green eyes.
-I can't wait to see some ladies... or real food and all that stuff... well maybe I'm really looking forward to the last one!
Jack grinned at his comrade, while a black silhouette appeared in the sun, like a drawn figure, approaching against the light and taking the semblance of a woman in a flight suit. She was thin with teenage curves and looked very young. She wore her dark hair in a ruffled bob that touched her bare neck: the marks on her shoulders stated that she carried the rank of sergeant as well.
-Hey ... its by chance a conversation of guys only based on spit and cigarettes?
Her voice was loud and cheeky. When she was in front of them she smiled coyly and gave a long glance to both men. Jack Archer frowned.
-We are just getting ready. Going downtown.
As he spoke he started to move out of the shady spot where he had been until that moment.
-Hishi, have the men loaded with sidearms as well.
Hiro raised an eyebrow.
-But its not listed in the equipment for... for... this kind of mission...
Jack Archer turned around three-quarters. A ray of light hit his face making his hazel eyes bright as flames. His gaze was suddenly far from friendly.
-Don't need to know it, what I'm ordering you is something else. Do it.
-Aye Sir! answered Hiro with frustration
The girl looked at them both, puzzled. Suddenly the air had become extremely tense and uncomfortable.
Jack Archer turned and walked at a fast pace to the hangars.
-I see you in 15 minutes. Sergeant Randall.
The two made an instant salute behind Archer's back, who didn't even bother turn around.
-What the f**k is wrong with him, early morning?
said the girl, annoyed
Hiro Hishi looked at her, annoyed himself.
-When did you start being interested?
-Didn't say I'm interested! hey! what the f**k is wrong with all of you?
Hishi dropped her in the middle of the runway, leaving quickly by the same route taken by his superior.
The girl looked at him, outraged... she lifted a boot and hit it hard on the asphalt, then stood still, rage burning all around her beautiful tanned face.
Rick Yamada could already hear a loud argument while parking his bike, quickly, in the middle of the trash cans near the back doors. He could hear Mrs. Shigeyo's voice, it was so squeaky... she shut down her husband's lower voice, as always.
Rick ajar closed his eyes as he took the wraps with the fish and loaded them with both arms.
- Why she have to be so harsh all the time?
he said to himself
But now an even harsher voice, as loud as a trill, topped all the others, making the young boy's heart jump. With one foot he held the door jamb, gasping to get in.
-Minmay...
The shouting came neither from the kitchen nor from the restaurant, they came from Mr. Lin's office.
Ricky sneaked his ear to the door while still hugging the fish wrap.
-Mom you can't do that to me! -said now the youger voice, suddenly whiny and dramatic.
-Papa do something! Say something!
-That's right! Baoxiong-san, speak up!
-Be quiet and shut up! Waiters are gonna hear everything!
- As if they are not used to!
-Mom! Don't change the subject!
Lin Baoxiong's voice came closer to the office door as he cast some curse in Chinese. He opened the door wide and Rick, still with the fish in his arms, jumped backwards by surprise.
-Shigeyo-san! You dooo see how the waiters have heard us?
Then he glanced at the boy with a long look.
-What are you doing here with those fish, boy! Go get in the kitchen!
-Aye shujin! babbled Rick, his gaze flowing into the room, behind his master's shoulders, where a young and charming girl smiled and waved her right hand at him.
-Hello Rick!
Minmay was the only child of the restaurant owners, she was not yet 14 but had grown extraordinarily fast in a few months. Rick Yamada had been lingering on her breast for a long time lately, and over those sensational, chinese-style, tight-fitting clothes that she used to wear when she was working in the restaurant. But she also looked so beautiful in her school uniform, or when she came to the window of her room, simply bringing a smile. The mixture of her genes had made her a dazzling beauty. Her body was slender but formed, her legs long and tapered, her hands small and delicate, her hair long, straight, black and shiny like the feathers of a crow, her sweet eyes green and vibrant like the forests of Hannō. Her red lips stayed always slightly parted, giving her a look of of everlasting innocence and happiness. Since Rick Yamada had met her, six months earlier, he couldn't stop thinking she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, yet he had happened to see models - and aspiring ones - many times, since he was working as a photographer's assistant.
-Hey Minmay-chan could I take some pictures of you?
He had told her taking courage
-Me!? You must be crazy, I look terrible on pictures!
Rick had smiled, puzzled. He couldn't agree less.
However that time she has agreed, and actually there were many more times afterwards. He suddenly discovered his gift for portraits, close-ups, american shot, whole figure... he never had enough pics of that sweet girl. They had become friends.
That's why he knew the reason of the quarrels with her parents: Minmay wanted to attend an art school in coming semester, and they, the owners, didn't even want to hear about it.
It was wartime and Tokyo was really too dangerous for a girl.
-Have you ever been to downtown Tokyo, Rick-san? I mean... Shibuja, Harajuku, Ginza, Akihbara...
-Only once in Chou Dori, and I spent all my income on vintage video games...
Minmay had stared at him with wide eyes and had burst out laughing: that sweet, infectious smile that everyone loved.
-...Everybody loves her... - Rick thought, as putting the fish on the kitchen counter.
-Well... I heard at the marketplace that RDF airplanes are getting down to the bay, boss...
He said, this time out loud
Baoxiong looked at him with satisfaction
-As I expected! well, let's just hope they remember to have lunch he he he!
But he suddenly became pensive
-Let's also... hope...that none of those damn mobsters get the same idea.
Although he tried to keep it hidden from his family, for about two years Lin Baoxiong was forced to pay a bribe-pay to terrorists affiliated with the anti-UN league, just for keeping the restaurant open. Otherwise, they would have all been blown up with dynamite like many other clubs and restaurants in Yokohama and Tokyo. His wife Shigeyo did known all about it but preferred to keep silence. These people were among their best customers, though.
Minmay was sweeping the dining room of the restaurant, making clink bracelets at her wrists and rings at her ears. As she crossed tables and chairs upside down, she was humming a song by her favorite artist, Jennie (2).
Rick Yamada suddenly showed up behind her, with a rag in one hand and a polishing spray in the other.
-Hey! you scared me!
she said annoyed
-Excuse me! I've done in the kitchen and I' d like help you with this.
then Rick lowered his voice
-This morning... I went to take some pictures of the military settlements along the bay.
Minmay paused, interested, leaning on the broom.
-And there was anybody down there?
-Totally wasteland. Maybe they had already left with those huge fighters. Actually I'd liked to picture one of those.
-I saw them only on the internet ...
she said perplexed
-there are no such planes here in Japan!
-They are here in Yokohama, trust me...I swear! I have my own contacts.
Rick kept dusting a table without any effort.
-Look... if you want... we can get there together and take some photos, mmh?
Minmay let out a little cry
-Uh you're serious!? That would be insane!...But what we going to do about my folks? You know that they dont want me...
Minmay considered it for a while.
-Actually they don't want me to do AAAnything at the moment...My mom doesn't even want me to sing here at the restaurant!
-It's impossible Minmay-chan. Everyone knows... when you sing, the restaurant gets full.
-They put a lot of things into each other's. Thats's dangerous and so on...
Her eyes grew sad. Suddenly she banged the broomstick handle on the floor.
-How I wish that this war could end! Now! Today!
Rick looked at her with tenderness but before he could say anything he was cut by Mrs. Lin.
-So, you two! have you finished cleaning up? And to converse!? Minmay- chan get a move on!
Yokohama, Chinatown district, UEG
Sergeant Hiro Hishi had chosen to walk instead of using a standard car like his fellow soldiers. The morning was bright, and at noon the heat nicely stroked his uncovered head. He had never been to Japan before that mission, and although he'd like to visit his father's homeland, he never expected to do it under such circumstances.
As he walked through the food market at the entrance to Chinatown, he felt the citizens' gaze fixed on him... on his training uniform, his knee-high boots, his rifle, his gun. The four daggers that Jack Archer had decided to add to the equipment. Suddenly he felt unsuitable, unfit for that place, an invader, a threat. His eyes dropped to the floor with shame.
-Sergeant Hishi d'you copy? over
His pager croaked
-We're waiting for you! you coming?
It was her, his wing. His friend? Surely she was his fellow at the Academy, the most close person he had in the last five years. They were just two kids when the war and the events had dragged them into that crazy dream of flying.
-We are outside the restaurant...
Izzy Randall' s squeaky voice stopped for a second
-Its called Shaopa lons...
she mutted unsure
-Shao Pai Long?
he replied, softly adjusting her pronunciation.
-Yeah it is ...whatever... send you the location right now... here it comes!
-Yeah...
-Hurry up! we're hungry
-Ok coming. Over and out.
Archer's squadron numbered 22 pilots. Some of them had come down with vehicles all along the bay, while the others had left the camp by feet. At the very moment the soldiers were still standing outside the restaurant while Lin Baoxiong was praising them at the entrance.
-Welcome to the RDF officers and soldiers! Welcome!
Izzy Randall smiled, showing off her little teeth as she looked down the street expecting to see her friend Hiro Hishi to appear. In a flash he showed up at the end of the street, lifted his chin in her direction while all his comrades urged him to speed up with eloquent gestures. Archer looked at him too, in an obscure way that Hiro could not translate.
-Sergeant Hishi are you hungry?
he said, coldly
But Hiro had no time to answer.
-Have a seat at my table. Webber, Cruz, Bassi, Johnson, you too.
Archer continued to place his subordinates at the tables as they entered the airy, aromatic lobby of the restaurant.
Lin Baoxiong smiled puzzled at that meticulous arrangement of soldiers, according to an order that surely existed in their commander's head.
-Sure he is splitting them up for some specific reason...
he started to think
-Or are they in some rank order that I don't know?...oh whatever... who cares.
Baoxiong had obviously realized who the commander was, and with various formalities showed him the best table, behind an elegant silk and rice paper separè.
-Take your time, Commander
But Archer, casting his enigmatic glance on the man, curiously answered
- I thank you Baoxiong-kun but I rather prefer the central table...
he went a few steps away
-a table where I can see the whole room... and the entrance door.
Lin Baoxiong shuddered at those words, trying to reassure himself that perhaps it was just a commander's whim, and at the same time praying all the gods to prevent a cataclysm in his much-loved place, he was afraid that something bad might happen.
-Yes sir, certainly Mr. Commander -he said in a cold sweat.
Archer slowly took his seat in the very center of an oval table, perfectly aligned with the back door and the one leading to the long hallway at the entrance.
His extremely tall figure bent nimbly on the chair making the uniform, set up with knives and daggers, screech. A large blade was hanging in his right leg and scratched against the leather boot that ended just below his knee.
Hiro Hishi sat down next to him, then for a moment it was all silence, but then suddenly all the room was filled with a cheerful chatter. Archer laid on the back of the chair and relaxed by completely undoing his jacket, resting with an impassive and concentred gaze. Hiro Hishi looked at him thoughtfully, trying to guess his mind.
-I'm telling you it's him!
-muttered Rick Yamada, hiding behind the jamb of the doors that led into the kitchen
-Jack Archer, the Giant Killer!
Minmay widened her eyes putting an hand over her mouth.
-oh he is tall... he's really scaryy!
-I heard he killed a lot of Scavengers with his bare hands. He smashed their skulls and then tore their scalps away... put them in a suitcase and took them as a trophy to the High Command...
-OMG!
Minmay watched frightened at Archer and then at Rick who was describing in minute details the achievements of the RDF Commander.
-Also read on the Internet that he leads a squadron of those jet fighters we were talking 'bout... aaand its weeell known that the High Command doesn't like his brutal manners...
Suddenly a noise made the two kids shake as they were finally becoming self-suggested.
-You two! What you doing hiding back here!
Mrs. Shigeyo scolded them in a low voice, waving a finger
-Rick-san, to the kitchen! Minmay-chan you go with Reiko and Masami-san straight into the dining room! You not wearing makeup, daughter! Why not!? D'you see that today we got those gentlemen from the Army?
-Kaachan (Mom)... I'm scared of them...
said Minmay
-Don't talk nonsense! You don't have to be afraid of them. They are protecting us from ...from...
Shigeyo no longer knew what to say. Her face suddenly became severe.
-I'll be waiting at the tables today as well
she suddenly decided
- For the military...
The only customers of the restaurant were the soldiers of the RDF. In the dining room stayed the two waitresses together with the owner's daughter and wife.
In the kitchen Rick Yamada was helping an old Sushi masutā (sushi master) that filleted the fish, while Lin Baoxiong was taking care of the orders. The bell at the entrance rang twice, three times, four times, five times. As if several people had entered one after other.
A buzz of loud voices spilled out along the garden and into the restaurant hall. Lin Baoxiong uttered a sigh. Rick looked at him sideways, expecting his reaction.
-Where is the owner?
shouted a voice, sharply, rumbling through the kitchen doors.
Lin Baoxiong wiped his hands with a rag, quickly put on a fake smile and rushed into the room.
-Rin Masato-kun!
said Lin Baoxing with a friendly look
-welcome to my restaurant!
The man turned three quarters, his arms resting on his hips, his face sweating. His gaze was flawless.
-Ah tenshu!(owner) there you are. I was just wondering where Baoxiong had gone...
Both of them made a reverence, then there was silence for a couple of seconds.
Baoxiong was sweating too, not because of the heat. He soon realized that Mr Rin's favourite table was taken.
-You seem upset, tenshu. Won't you let us sit around? My friends and I are hungry.
At that very moment, like a thunderbolt, Mrs. Lin showed up in front of the man and his four friends.
-Oh Rin Masato-Kun, what a pleasure! We make you set the table right away!
the woman made a slow reverence crossing his eyes.
-Good morning beautiful lady ...
started the man, and then turned to Lin Baoxiong
-I see your wife is much more complacent as time goes by...
he cast a long glance at the woman who, instead of getting embarrassed, faced his look.
-Reiko-san!Masami-san!
she shouted to the two waitresses
-prepare the table for Rin Masato!
-yes ma'am
soon replied the two young women dressed in a tight Chinese dress very similar but not identical.
-you... are five, right?
Masato smiled an oblique smile, his gaze embraced the whole room. He breathed with carelessness.
-Actually... he opened his mouth showing his large, separated teeth.
-We are so many friends.
Lin Baoxiong and his wife looked worriedly at the front door where they already heard frantic footsteps.
Another fifteen or so men, came forward at the entrance.
-We are so many...and we are hungry and thirsty...
Jack Archer's pupils widened, making his eyes almost black.
He had prevented eye contact with the man. Masato Rin. Now he finally saw his face. He didn't need to plan his moves because he was waiting for his enemy's ones. Then he would simply act.
Appetizers arrived, along with many cans of Chinese beer. Jack Archer drank only a sip as he looked between the two dining rooms of the restaurant.
The terrorists had taken their place at a long, horseshoe-shaped table in Japanese style. Masato Rin sat at the place of honor right along the corridor leading to the toilets: the waitresses and Shigeyo had provided to fill the table with beer and sake super quickly, with a certain ceremonial terror.
The girls, in their twenties, had a slight shaking of the hands as they quickly walked around with the supplies.
-Hey Baoxiong! why theres such a silence!
Masato Rin was shouting from the bottom of his seat of honor.
The owner, who was wandering between the cash register and the tables, approached the terrorists' table
-Forgive me Masato-Kun, the music is already playing.
Masato smiled with hidden indignation
-Don't wanna hear these old-fashioned playlists. What I want is to listen to the voice of a beautiful and bright bell (3).
Lin Baoxiong turned pale, looking for his wife in the large room.
-but, Masato-Kun... well I...
-You understand me no, tenshu? I want your beautiful young daughter to sing.
Shigeyo got into the conversation with a nice little bow
-My dear Masato-Kun, the girl is no longer singing in the restaurant...
-For what!
Masato Rin lifted up on the chair, beating a fist on the table. Two glasses full of beer rolled on the spotless cloth.
All the mobsters' gaze was focused on the owners.
Meanwhile the young daughter of the owners, who had intentionally moved into the last tile at the far end of the room, trembled. She tried to sneak into the kitchen, but her mother's imperious voice made her turn around.
-Minmay-chan come here. These gentlemen want to say hello.
Minmay lifted her head, her face flushing, her eyes filled with panic. She met her mother's cold and resolute look, that made her go.
She crossed the room trying to look cool and sociable, just as her parents wanted her to.
-Ohayōgozaimasu!(good evening)
she said smiling, making a ceremonial bow and jingling her bracelets. The red silk dress wrapped every inch of her teenage body, attracting the interested glances of the terrorists.
She wore her hair in two round buns at the top of her head. Despite the red lipstick and long false eyelashes her face kept a sweet and childlike expression.
-Good morning Lin Minmay-san
said Masato Rin with a fake cheerfulness just lifting his ass out of the chair.
-Your daughter is a woman already, tenshu!
Loud and approving laughter ran through the entire table.
-Rin Masato-kun would like you to sing us a song, daughter,
said Lin Baoxiong, softening his voice, as always, when he spoke with his beloved Minmay.
-But I...
-Gentlemen are aware that you are focusing on your studies and dont have much time to sing. But for today you will make an exception
said Shigeyo with an all too eloquent look.
Minmay smiled nodding, but it was a crooked smile that looked more like a grimace.
Lin Baoxiong squeezed her shoulder slightly, trying to convey her confidence with his touch. But his fingers were trembling.
Izzy Randall was deeply upset about the spot Jack Archer had given her. After all, she was one of his wings, she'd expected to sit at least at his table. But she ended up sitting with two pilots at the end of the room: from there she could only see the back of Archer's neck... and Hiro's of course. She huffed, taking off her jacket and showing a very tight shirt: she was the only woman in the squadron, but not the only one in the troops. Unfortunately that day she got any friends to go to the toilet with, so she stood up waving her hair and turned coquettishly to her tablemates.
- Gonna have another beer. Be right back.
As she walked through the tables trying to assume a smooth gait, she looked for Archer's gaze. He was intent on checking his phone, but as she had called him, he lifted his head. Both stared deeply at each other: Archer's gaze was thoughtful and Izzy felt a strange thrill for a moment; as if he wanted to transmit something to her. After wandering around for a while she found her way to the toilet. Once she crossed the small corridor Izzy opened the door and literally let herself slide on the wall, as if exhausted. The knives she carried on her hips weighed her down. She felt full of an incandescent charge that would not take long to explode. She looked at herself in the mirror, unable to recognize herself. What she saw was a young soldier, a pilot. She was also just a young woman who was trying at all costs to escape from that armor.
-Hey... Lieutenant... Jack you there?!
Jack Archer leapt, coming out of the swirl of thoughts in which he was deeply submerged. Hiro Hishi, sitting to his right-hand side, called out to him.
-Then? you there?
-No...
Archer replied thoughtfully
-what you asked me?
Hiro looked at him with distrust
-I said only if... you want to leave your beer to fizz in the glass the whole lunch or.. look they just brought us more pitchers of Chinese beer.
-Yes I ...
He suddenly realized there was no more time. He looked at Sergeant Hishi with an inquisitive look. Was Hiro his friend? Not really...but at least he was one of the few people with whom he had managed to have some kind of ongoing relationship over time. He had never had time, or maybe he never wanted to waste time, in relationships. But now he wondered if it was right to bring him into this. Did he want to test his loyalty? But Hiro was a pilot, not a hitman. Jack shook his head chasing away this kind of speculation. There was no difference. This was simply war. The army wanted to end the war. They wanted to erase the enemy.
-Hishi... tell me. Are you loyal to the Army?
Hiro looked at him between confused and annoyed
-What you talking about, Lieutenant?
Jack's pupils shone with a strange amber flame
-Are you loyal to me?
-Well, you are... sure I am, you are my senior officer.
Jack breathed deeply. He took his glass firmly and clang it with Hiro's
-To you, my friend
At that moment Hiro realized that the strange flame in Archer's eyes was the spark of a fire ready to ignite. But now it was late. Everything happened in the blink of an eye.
Lin Minmay was fluttering on the little stage at the top of a staircase leading to a large monitor where the lyrics were screened for karaoke nights. She had chosen a playlist at random with a trembling finger... almost sure she couldn't hold back the tears.
The music broke out in the room embracing all the tables, like a rush of cheap streamers: small round neon stars rolled around the girl, wrapping her in soft pastel tones as to match the slight and carefree style of the song.
Minmay took two steps forward showing a small round white knee from the slit of her red dress, then she twirled her opposite arm from the elbow down to her wrist and then gracefully closed her small hand, resting it gently on her cheek. She blinked her eyelashes a couple of times, then began to sing.
I just dance in the sweet memories (4)
(He's my one and only, You never can tell)
I just dance in the sweet memories
(Sweet memories)
Yuki ga odoru hoomu e
iki o kirashite kakete-kuru
tooi hi no suteeshon
Aenai hibi ga shashin no you ni
anata o hohoemi ni kaeta no
I just dance in the sweet memories
kizutsuite aishikata o
I just dance in the sweet memories
oboete-yuku no ne
Mou shibaraku wa kitto
yume no naka o samayou deshou
chizu sae mo motazu
Ima nara wakaru
anata no senaka no imi ga
dakedo todokanai wa
I just dance in the sweet memories...
Minmay's singing was really sweet and melodious, with a certain fake innocence and a no less than professional tuning. The girl matched every single sentence of the song with different expressions and movements: even in a small improvised show like that, she showed all her skills.
Rick Yamada jumped up from the stove waving a ladle
-Look look Iaoshi (master)!
he cried to the sushi master
-Minmay-chan is singing!
The old man ajar closed his eyes listening to the singing.
-She is indeed a bright and beautiful bell...
Izzy Randall, on her way back from the toilet crossed the small corridor and found herself practically next Masato Rin's table. As she looked straight ahead the music filled her senses and suddenly she felt light and cheerful.
-She really has a great voice!
she caught herself thinking, but her daydream was abruptly stopped by a calloused hand that clawed her wrist and made her literally wobble from her center of gravity.
-Look! here is the beautiful ladies of the Army!
Izzy Randall's fiery gaze rushed over the man who was hooking her, making her arm and wrist turn completely.
-Let go immediately!
she yelled
She tried to struggle but another man got up from the bank and appeared behind her, grabbing her shoulders. Izzy, far from feeling dread, was blinded by a furious rage.
With her free arm she elbowed the man in the stomach but was still couldn't free herself from the other's grip.
Masato Rin watched the scene, inserting a toothpick between his lips in a compulsive gesture. It was a matter of instants.
-Get your f***ing hand off me!
-Why you so rude, soldier
-said Masato
- it's not every day we get to see a beautiful military lady like you
his gaze lingered on Izzy's breast one second too long.
- Me and my friends... we want to have a good look at you! sit down with us.
This was too much, Izzy Randall was somehow a tolerant person, but the vulgar men's loud laughter and these words literally disgusted her.
It was a matter of a flash, she bent over herself and then lifting one knee she kicked the man who harpooned her wrist right in the face with her heel. Blood and spit ended up on the cloth and made the table sway.
-I told you to let go!
A rumble of awe and amazement spread among the terrorists while some of them put each other on alert, ready for any signal from their boss.
Masato's right man, with teeth broken and crooked, was suddenly on top of her and tried to block both hands behind her back, but Izzy was infinitely faster and threw a hook to his chin, making him stagger backwards.
At that moment Masato Rin got up from his seat. He was not laughing anymore but looked with anger alternately at Izzy and his men.
-She said to let her go, what you didn't understand ...Masato Rin?
Jack Archer's voice, cold and threatening as hell, slipped right under the terrorist's skin. He stood tall and perfectly still before him. To both his right and left were two soldiers almost as tall as him and loaded with armaments. In a flash he realized the amount of sidearms he was wearing on his body.
-Jack Archer...
-he muttered
-The Giant Killer...
He put his hand on his belt where he carried his double-strung dagger then spat on the floor at Archer's feet.
-Masato Rin-
repeated Archer
- give up now, and nothing will happen to you and your bunch of sluts. The Government doesn't want your head, but those of your leaders...
Masato growled his disgust, but did not speak
Archer studied him for a few moments
-I'm telling you, you take me to the main f***ing hive and nothing bad will happen to you and your gang of f***ing thugs.
The man with rotten teeth, who was still wiping his mouth from blood, stuck his gun against Archer but Masato stopped him with one arm.
-You're just a hitman sold to the Government. Unworthy of living! Twice!
At that time, it was him who put his hand to the gun, but still not removing it from its scabbard.
Lieutenant Archer stood motionless for very long moments then opened his mouth, his eyes burning like lit flames, turned his head back to his right.
-Johnson!
he shouted, and again immediately after,
- Webber!
Instantly the noise of the large doors at the entrance shutting down, echoed throughout the room.
Soon after was heard the clang of the back doors. All the windows were sealed at the same time with a sharp noise. Time seemed to expand. Minmay suddenly stopped singing but the cheerful karaoke music got on undeterred and filled the heavy air in an almost surreal way.
Hiro Hishi's back was shivering, now... now he realized.
Are you loyal to me...? Are you loyal to me?
He was only a few meters away from Archer, that bold and brazen, was standing in front of the terrorist squad. He exchanged a look with some of his comrades and realized that, like him, not all of them were aware of Archer's plans. But from their firm glances he also realized that they, too, would fight together with their commander. A violent scream rose up as if raised from hell itself, and it was not possible to say which of the two factions had started the fight. Only, you could tell that it was a tight and dreadful scream. Izzy Randall was overwhelmed by the power of that sound... she took a few steps back as if dragged by Acher's aura and stopped by his side.
-What's up Jack!?
said with a cracked voice that she even didnt recognize.
He pushed her with one hand
-Get out the way, Izzy!
he shouted before unsheathing the two daggers crossed over his chest.
Hiro Hishi had joined them with knives in both hands. Like most of the pilots, he had put a field hockey mask on his face to avoid obvious scarring, which would be difficult to explain to the High Command.
If I came out of here alive, of course, he thought. But then he stopped thinking and threw himself into the fight. In a short time the yells of terrorists and soldiers melted into a frantic concert of blades and guns, revolver shots and wood and glass smashing into thousand pieces.
Inside the kitchen Lin Baoxiong and his wife, who were about to serve the fish, the old sushi master and Rick Yamada were frozen with fear, motionless, each of them wrapped in their own terror.
-The restaurant is doomed, it's ruined, it's ruined!
cried Shigeyo with hands over eyes, while her husband was mentally searching for an escape route.
The soldiers had also sealed the back doors and Rick was trying to knock them down with no success. Suddenly a thought crossed Lin Baoxiong's mind: Minmay was out there in the middle of the beginning of a massacre.
-Minmay!
he cried
Rick Yamada could not believe what was happening. But there was no time to analyze: he got rid of his heavy apron and rushed as fast as he could to the swaying doors that faced the room, opening them with his palms. When he entered the dining rooms his heart leapt, he just couldn't think. Suddenly the restaurant had become a sort of battleground arena.
The first thing he could see was a table of six that flew five meters across and crashed into a window. The soldiers threw themselves into the fight, like gladiators, with stabs and daggers: he could hardly distinguish the RDF suits as black as the terrorists' clothes. The bodies were clashing with muffled noises, the sparkle of the blades and the squeaking of the stabs that collided simply gave goose bumps. Unable to take a breath, he just spotted the two waitresses who had smeared themselves against the wall hoping to become transparent while covering their faces with hands. Then he saw her: Minmay was snuggled upon the floor, curled up on the stage ladders, with head hidden in her lap and wrapped in her trembling little hands. Rick Yamada never knew how he had managed to cross those ten meters that divided them, but the only thing he knew was that he had to do something.
-Minmay!
He hastily rushed through broken glass, broken tables and pieces of wood, crystal and steel that were flying all over the place. He covered her with his body.
-Minmay-chan
he sighed hugging her and pulling her up like a dolly.
-Oh Rick!
she sobbed, her face a mask of loose makeup and tears. She was trembling.
-We have to get out of here,
he said speaking against her forehead.
-Are you ready?
Minmay nodded
- Run Minmay-chan!
The swaying doors of the kitchen had never seemed so far. But then Rick Yamada had an insight: Shujin's Office! he thought
He dragged Minmay with him on the floor among the table legs.
The two kids crawled towards the door for the last few meters before being reached by a chair that knocked them both into each other like pins, and then against the wall. With his cheek scarred and bleeding Rick managed to lift himself up to the round door handle and click. Then he took Minmay's thin wrist and literally pushed her into the room, then he threw himself inside as well, quickly closing the door and securing it.
-What's going, Rick!
Minmay had squatted under her father's desk and was covering her ears with hands.
Rick Yamada rushed to sit beside her
- I... I don't know, but I think that the RDF is settling scores
with Masato Rin's gang
-Oh they're disgusting!
cried Minmay not knowing exactly at who she was referring to
-Where is otosan! (father) Watashi no papa (my daddy)! oh Rick I'm so scared!
Minmay jumped into the boy's arms, and wept on his shoulder. Her hair rubbed against the wound on his face, but he did not move.
-They 're into the kitchen. I am sure... I know they're fine, don't worry Minmay-chan...
-That Jack Archer... is he is... he's just scary!
Rick Yamada kept silent and stroked Minmay's shoulders.
Then his gaze stopped on the shelf in front of them.
There was laying his Reflex camera, the opened lens was a big blank eye looking at him... calling him...
-Jack Archer...
said Rick
-The Giant Killer.
Inside the dining room the RDF soldiers were giving a hard time to the terrorists in the pay of the Anti-Government forces. But it was hard to say in which direction the match was ending. The large rooms of the Shao Pai Long restaurant had become a carnage. Pilots wearing field hockey masks were sinister as serial killers created by a comics writer's fantasy, they rose from every corner, fierce and massive as automats, while Japanese terrorists were lightweight and fast as cats, just like the Ninja warriors of their traditions. Archer's plan was to capture as many terrorists as possible alive, even though his intentions were literally falling apart before his eyes.
Masato Rin had to be taken alive. Time was running fast.
Archer was thinking even faster, while he stared at some of his men falling one after the other. He shouldn't, he couldn't lose his men. He fought bare-faced, switching kicking and martial arts with his daggers. He moved with confidence, breaking heads and bones, cutting throats and digging out eyes with his fingers. Within a few minutes the situation was upturned. Only two things filled Archer's mind: one was catching Masato Rin alive... the other was protecting Hiro and Izzy... rationally he knew that he shouldnt but simply, he could not leave them. Then he saw her in the midst of the riot, as she kicked and punched one of Rin's men and pushed him slowly but relentlessly towards the wall. She was fighting with her face exposed: she screamed, then suddenly pulled two flat, jagged daggers out of her thigh pockets and stuck them in the man's collarbone. The blades penetrated the flesh like butter. The man collapsed on himself like a floppy sack.
-Don't go Rick ! Please!
Minmay was clinging to the boy's shirt, with all the weight of her body was holding him next to her.
-Just a few pics Minmay-chan... let me go!
he said, pushing her away with an arm while wearing the strap of the reflex camera.
-D'you have any idea of what's going on out there?
she sighed in a broken tone.
Rick Yamada was like out of mind in excitement. All the fears and frights just now gave way to an overwhelming desire. He wanted to imprint that moment forever.
He wanted to leave a witness to what war really was. In a moment he thought of various settings, in which his photos would make a big difference
- Yeah, have to do it
he told himself.
-Let me go Minmay! Let me go!
With a yank Rick got rid of the girl's hands and rushed out the door, closing it behind his back.
Minmay fell to the floor with one hand on her chest.
-Rick please...be safe...
Down in the room the terrorists were at a clear loss. Only a few men were still fighting, among them their leader.
Masato Rin!
shouted Archer
- I order you to surrender!
But the terrorist had already chosen death.
Yes,and he'd have dragged the Giant Killer with him.
The two warriors faced each other in a time that suddenly seemed to expand. Archer's kicks and punches seemed like lightning striking the small and massive body of the terrorist.
Masato Rin jumped like a snake dodging the discharge as in a menacing dance. The man was half the height of Archer but managed to kick him a few times in the forehead. Archer staggered, for a moment losing his center and Rin took advantage harpooniing his leg with a dagger. Archer skidded, cracking his knee on the floor.
It was then that Masato Rin jumped on the nearest table and detached from the wall the sword of Minmay's grandfather, Shigeyo's father, a katana which, was said, have never spilled a drop of blood.
Masato tore it from the wall, ripped off all the votive cards and opened it with ceremonial precision right above Archer's head. But the Giant Killer, driven by a force stronger than pain, lifted himself in all his height and with a howl caught the katana from both sides and pulled up Rin's whole body. In a moment he had kicked his womb making him roll on the floor, then he held the sword and with surgical precision he cut off his right hand.
The limb twirled tracing a parable. The terrorist cried out in terror as his own blood spurted. In that very moment, the sunlight that filtered through the skylights on the ceiling, dripped like hot lava on Archer's face strained in a spasm of fury, making his eyes sparkle like gold coins. Even his dark hair was shimmering, drenched with blood, his whole body vibrating with anger.
The right arm holding the katana was lifting up over his head and the blade of the sword cast an endless, almost mystical glow. Rick Yamada perched like a cat and hanging on a shelf, started shooting an infinite number of shots on that dazzling figure. The young man's heart was beating wildly in that glorious and dreadful time
-Put a muzzle on his mouth so he cant swallow his tongue!
shouted Archer, then turned on his back tossing at everyone
-Who's next!?... I said... who is next?!
Nobody answered. Archer breathed deeply, throwing the katana on the floor...
Then he turned to the few terrorists still left standing, watching in dismay at the mutilation of their leader. A frightening scene.
- And as for you... you can do seppuku, harakiri, do whatever the f*** you want but I would suggest you cooperate with the High Command of this f***ing country! Up to you! You make the choice!
Archer wiped his face with a sleeve: his clothes were soaked in blood. Among the many masked soldiers surrounding him, he spotted one approaching him.
Hiro Hishi lifted the mask up from his forehead and their eyes collided. Hiro could see his pupils reflected in Archer's bright ones. Both of them exhaled. Hiro placed his arm on the lieutenant's shoulder, nodded, said nothing. There was not so much to say.
While the soldiers hand-cuffed Masato Rin, Jack Archer called for the owners. Lin Baoxiong, his wife and the old man had shut themselves in the meat locker. Frost and trembling were led by an officer into the hall. Shigeyo burst into tears when she saw the conditions of her restaurant, while Baoxiong almost fainted at the sight of all those bodies and blood. The old master murmured a few prayers in the guise of a litany.
-Papaaa!
A voice broken with tears made Archer and Lin Baoxiong turn around
-Minmay chan!
-oh Papa, I was so scared
said the girl running out of the office and jumping into her father's arms.
-Lin Baoxiong, I complain a lot this damage
said Jack Archer
- But the High Command of the United Nations will be very grateful to you
-What are we gonna do with gratitude!
Shigeyo shouted
-everything is done with it... everything is ruined!
Archer looked at her for a moment and seemed struck by her pain. But then he went on.
-The Government will pay you back, Shujin.
He raised his hand and beckoned Lin Baoxiong to come closer. The man took a few steps and stood on tiptoe to put his ear next Archer's mouth
-Take your family away. Go to a shelter, as far as possible. The city will be destroyed at dawn.
Lin Baoxiong's eyes opened wide into the soldier's fiery gaze.
For a moment there was silence between the two. Then Lin Baoxiong made a solemn bow. He only said
-Thank you commander.
Outside, there were already tracked cars standing for the RDF squadron. Wounded soldiers and prisoners soon were loaded, and among them, of course, Masato Rin.
The road was empty. In a rush Rick Yamada kept running after the vehicles, chasing them and taking some more photos. Then he stopped panting.
- Goodbye Giant Killer...
New Tokyo, High Command RDF Japan UEG, 6 days later
Jack Archer walked sped inside the huge building that was once the headquarters of the South American embassy but, since the Government had officially abandoned its seat in Japan, had become a sort of extension of the RDF. A bunch of military officers had kept the order, if one can say so, both at administrative, political and bureaucratic level. The Lieutenant walked wide stride to a specific office. The large madeira doors were finely decorated with golden patterns. The assistant, dressed in a sergeant's uniform, was sitting behind a laptot in a small hollow that provided a reception. The sergeant was a young Asian girl who raised her eyes to Archer's obtrusive presence. He did not stop or salute her back.
In a flash he was already resting his hands on the handles of the double-door.
-But sir...
the woman jumped behind the desk, right behind him.
-Sir, the colonel is very busy...
Then Archer realized her presence. He looked down on her and said:
-I have no time to waste. Notify the "Colonel" that he will receive me immediately.
-But...I...
-Tell him that Jack Archer is here.
The young sergeant gasped. In those very days the fame of the Giant Killer had spread all over Japan. The clandestine press on the Internet fantasized about his exploits, even if the Government tended to systematically deny this kind of rumors.
-You should replace your assistant and take a big dumb gorilla.
Archer fell into the luxurious leather armchair in front of the huge desk. All the furniture revealed a Spanish-Creole taste that showed the previous status of the edifice.
-I do not enjoy scaring young girls novice.
The man had his back to him as he looked out the window. Barbed wire covered the tops of the great wall that surrendered the park.
-mmmh...Sanato is more than enough. In any case I will replace her as soon as I...
The man turned towards Archer and looked at him annoyed.
-Don't you know that smoking is forbidden?
Archer stood up, took a final hit from the cigarette and extinguished it with calculated slowness over the precious wood of the desk.
-What the fuck you doing, then!
The man started to get nervous, was sweating cold and repeatedly dried his forehead and bald head with a handkerchief. He did not look so young, but neither old. The deep dark circles under his eyes and the fold of his mouth revealed a perpetually restless and calculating mind.
-Let's get down to business, Leonard.
Archer returned to his seat
-Masato Rin didn't swallow his fucking tongue and thanks to his collaboration, you, heroes of the Extraordinary Government of Japan, have blown up the most powerful terrorist cell in all of Asia.
Leonard breathed heavily mechanically by sitting down in turn.
-But to avoid waves of retreat it was necessary to prevent it all with a nice tsunami, if you pass me the meteorological metaphor.
Colonel Leonard's eyes became as narrow as two slits. Archer went on:
-And so why not a nice carpet bombing on the houses of innocent Japanese... not only using Hughes helicopters but even! some VF-0s... Just to make it clear who is in command.
Leonard raised a hand
-I get you are a passionate reporter. Perhaps you should have worked as a war journalist instead of...
-Instead of what?
Archer's eyes shone like flashlights; Leonard startled for a moment.
-What do you want. Speak clear.
Archer stood up again and swirled his head. His joints creaked. Leonard persisted in sweating.
-First I want the money, I want to pay my people for all they've had to endure this fucking year.
Leonard clenched his jaw until it almost creaked.
-You've already got what we agreed on and...
-Well but the results were extremely different from the forecasts... am I wrong Anatole?
Leonard was tempted to call security, but for what? Surely Archer would cut off even his best bodyguards' hands. He shuddered to recall Masato Rin's hand stump. He decided to succumb.
-Good, Archer. You make the price.
-I have not finished.
Jack Archer stood up and walked around to admire the paintings hanging on all the walls.
-I know you are about to escape to... Macross City
Leonard stood up and punched the table.
-That' s enough!
Jack struck him with the eye
-I want a first class ticket for me and my squadron to a pleasant destination, just as Beautiful as yours.
I want my men to get the fuck out of this radioactive and corrupt cesspool where you have dumped us for good!
-You re here because you are the worst!
Leonard stood up and picked up the handkerchief. He held it to a temple.
-You are the scum of the Defense Forces. You are hitmen, mercenaries!
-Oh yeah... Archer muttered
- Just like you and the sluts of your gang. But now... you want to clean up your reputation and make a career in the ranks of the RDF...uh?
Leonard was exhausted, he could not resist for long to the coldness of Archer's threats.
-Alright. In any case, and you already know that, Lieutenant...the war is coming to an end. They will announce it in a few weeks...
suddenly he broke out in a loud, sinister laughter
-Ah ah ah! who would have ever said it, ah?
He kept laughing while Jack Archer looked at him in disgust.
-Sanato will be giving you the money ... as on your second request I can manage your leaving, what d'ya say of Base Alaska. You can choose there your final destination... unless...
Archer raised an eyebrow
-Unless you decide to desert along the way.
Archer looked at him menacingly, advancing a few steps.
-And giving you the chance to send me to a court martial? I wont never give you this pleasure, Anatole.
Jack Archer spit some cigar splinter on the floor. Then he took the revolver he was carrying by his side and locked the safety catch.
-Just a precaution, in case I had to shoot you.
Leonard's heart stopped for a moment. Archer was at the rear of the room. He turned around three-quarters and looked at him with contempt.
-Ah and...Good luck with your new criminal organization... Southern Cross, right?
Leonard trembled with anger
- You are nothing but a mercenary! A murderer!
Jack smiled as he opened the door
-Sayonara, Colonel.
August 10, 2007, Yokohama, UEG
Yokohama August 10
Hiro Hishi stood on the left side of his open cockpit: the hangars for military aircraft were closing the shutters for the night. The sky was flashing red and violet, blue. Yellow, amaranth. As only the Japan sky could be. The sergeant was overcome by his own feelings. The city was destroyed and civilians were hidden in shelters refuges located in the mountains. The whole landscape was radiating death and destruction but still, the sun was also rising.
A voice pulled him away from his thoughts
- Here is the commander!
-He's back!
A VX-0 in fighter mode slowly emerged on the horizon, requesting landing coordinates via morse . Hiro Hishi embraced the track with his gaze, guessing where Archer would land his plane.
Then he saw her standing alone, staring at that same spot in the sky with her eyes wide open. Locks of hair caressed her shoulders moving back and forth in the breeze. To him, she always looked like a little girl.
Hiro jumped down from the cockpit following his comrades and going to meet their commander who had barely landed. And Izzy joined them too. All the pilots crowded around Archer's plane as if waiting for his speech. But he, taking off his helmet, looked at them in annoyance.
-So what the f*ck is it? Partying in the hangars?
The soldiers babbled in wonder, someone giggled...
-Night shift, move your asses. Who already completed patrol retire to quarters, out of the hell. I don't expect to see you till tomorrow!
he looked at his watch distractedly
-Curfew in 20 minutes!Go!
Izzy took a few steps towards him, he unzipped his flight suit. He saw her, and said nothing. She didn't speak either.
Jack inadvertently reached for Hiro's gaze in the crowd. Unfortunately he crossed his eyes immediately.
-Well ... good night ladies and gentlemen
He quickly walked away to the parking lot.
Both of them could not believe that he hadnt even bothered to give an explanation.
The night was silent, black as ink. The doors and windows of the RDF military barracks were all sealed so as not to let out even a hint of light. Despite the curfew a figure walked along the small path leading to the men's dormitory area.
-knock knock
whispered a voice near the front window of a small cabin.
No answer was given and the voice repeated
- knock knock
A muffled noise, then the sound of the lock clicking: the door opened slightly inwards and a small slice of light slid out. It flashed on a slice of Izzy Randall's face.
She smiled shyly. shortly afterwards the darkness had wrapped everything up again.
-I can't believe it, are you still praying?
she said with her usual shrill voice that cracked in the last one syllable.
He looked intensely at her for a few seconds
-Surely, actually now more than ever.
Izzy sat down on a stool, in front of a small desk.
In a cavity in the wall hung a Christian silver shiny icon that gleamed in the semi-darkness, wrapped in the flickering light of a candle.
Jack Archer approached the image and kissed its surface, then he blew out the candle making the wick creak.
Izzy was plain dressed, a rather oversized RDF sweatshirt, tight-fitting pants and a pair of low boots. She wore straight hair, brushed behind her ears, and put on light makeup. She smiled, showing her small teeth. Jack Archer had to hold from smiling her back.
-Then?
he said, lighting a cigarette.
-do you want to drink?
-ah ah
Her attention focused on a series of knives of various sizes lying on her desk, on a velvet cloth. As she was about to touch a blade with her fingertips Jack grabbed her wrist and gently turned it outwards.
-Don't...
She shook him nervously.
-I only meant to watch
Jack glanced at her in indifference.
-Do you want a beer? Or that Japanese whiskey?
he opened a small fridge at the bottom of the room
-It's called shochu... Hiro told me...
Archer stopped what he was doing. He stood for a thoughtful moment in silence. Then he stepped towards her with two glasses, he handed her one.
-I'd already dealt with knives, and you know it
she said at the end, in a whisper.
-I know it
Archer replied
his hand was hanging at the level of her chin: he gently stroked her jaw line up to her ear with his fingertips covered with scars.
-And... I'm sorry.
she closed her eyes, tilting her head slightly to his touch. Then she looked at him again tightening the empty glass.
There was tenderness in her eyes and he faltered because all of a sudden it seemed they were filled with tears.
He felt his guilt when he took her head with both hands, letting the glass roll on the floor. He knew he was breaking her own will with his bare breath. She abandoned herself like a doll in his arms and let him lift her a few inches off the floor. When Archer laid her gently on the bed, he clearly saw those big tears raging in her eyelashes.
-What is it...
he asked awkwardly
Both of them sat on the bed and looked at each other with no understanding. They were like two spinning planets that never touch each other.
I love you that's what it is-she thought - I was so scared of losing you
but she couldnt bring herself to speak, and he thought she was still shocked about the Masato Rin thing. They stayed a little while longer in each other's arms, Jack Archer gently stroking her back and the back of her neck.
Her heart was beating fast.
-Is it really over?
she said in a breath
He stopped stroking her and squeezed her tighter.
-This One is over, I promise you.
Izzy breathed into his chest closing his eyes with relief, savoring his shape, warmth, scent, all in him carried her into a kind of trance.
-Tomorrow you'll know everything
Izzy smiled releasing from his arms
-and what if I want to know today?
She had quit crying and a childish smile had once again settled into her pretty face. Then Jack felt relieved as well.
-You still want to?
he said in a whisper
She pulled the sweatshirt up over her head, standing with a simple bra that hardly covered her small breasts.
She felt a jolt of heat throughout her body when sensed Archer's mouth covering hers. She parted her lips descending into an abyss at the touch of his tongue. The bed quaked under the weight of both of them.
Yokohama, UEG, 2007, August 11
Hiro Hishi wandered around the dorms, enjoying the first rays of sunlight that crossed the reed swamp around the bay. He squinted his eyes, feeling the only one awake in miles. He actually knew where his feet were leading him, to Jack Archer's quarters. His trip to New Tokyo on the previous evening had not gone unnoticed. The fact that he did not want to talk to none of the pilots, and especially to him, made Hiro feel nervous. Could it be that a new mission was in sight? Maybe in the south? Hiro shivered at the thought, it was hard to admit but he had enough. Jack would have spoken at last, with him in special, he would have confided in him. He looked at the palms of his hands, the scars were increasing in number. Some old and faded, others were still bleeding. Suddenly a smothered giggle alerted her ears, accustomed to silence. He hid behind a bush when he saw that the door cabin was slowly opening. He heard the sound of wood squeaking, of footsteps on the reed mat at the entrance. He clearly heard the sound of a kiss. He lifted his head and saw her, it was her. With the hoodie lowered over her eyes she was running away in the middle of the trees to the exit of the camp. He had never needed to see her face to know that it was her.
Now he knew it, not that he hadn't suspected it. But he had perhaps dramatically hoped to be wrong. For a moment an emptiness took over his whole body. He struggled to get back on her feet, almost staggered, the sunlight was now sinister, malevolent, and for a moment he doubted of being alive, there, or anywhere else in the world.
Jack Archer had gathered his squadron in the hangar where some variable fighters were based, including his, nicely known as Killer 1 among his comrades. The 22 pilots of his team, some still injured or recovering after the mission of the Chinese restaurant were circling him. Each of them was eager to know what fate awaited that nameless squadron. They all assumed that the High Command had assigned them to some new mission in the most devastated areas of the Anti-Unification warcamp. The pilots were all outcast, sloppy young men, not too used to discipline, few of them were higher in rank than Corporals. They were kept at distance from the Black Parade ground army that had followed them on the mission in Yokohama, and were generally feared because of Archer's background. This is why they expected nothing, better or worse, from what their commander was about to say. They were quite surprised when Archer started to name them, one by one, in alphabetical order: the Giant Killer was leaning on the belly of his plane, resting his right elbow and heel on the metallic bar. He had grabbed a yellow envelope, of the kind used to deliver the mail, and pulled out a bunch of bills tied with a red string.
Arada, Atkins, Boyle, Carson... Johnson, Hishi...Rainer, Randall...Webber...
All of these soldiers received a bundle of money in their hands. There was no accompanying ticket, no military causation. Many of them looked puzzled at their leader with their mouths open. No one dared ask that question.
-Well?
Jack said without losing that careless pose. He took the envelope, made it into a ball and threw it far away.
-No one saying anything? Not even a thank you to the High Command?
Hiro Hishi took a step closer
-What does this money mean, Lieutenant?
Jack noticed the icy look on the pilot's face: as he wanted to pierce him
-Hishi... fortunately you asked the question that everyone was wondering in their dumb heads, right?
A smooth noise spread among the crowd.
-In fact I was going to tell you...
Jack lifted to his full height. His hair combed backwards and his perfectly shaved face gave him a young and haughty look.
He smiled carelessly
-Gentlemen, I'm proud of you. This is just a small reward for squadron 11982-A for these months spent in Japan. The Government of the Earth is grateful, the High Command and the Defense Forces are thankful...I... uh, I also thank you...
A buzz of excitement was spreading among the soldiers. Hishi squeezed his eyes with mistrust.
-However, our prize it is not only this erh ... extra pay, gentlemen you know... The High Command has in fact decided to reward our squadron ...
Instantly Jack burst out laughing and couldn't get on with his speech.
Izzy Randall looked at him scared. It seemed he was suddenly on drugs.
-ah ah ah ah... sorry guys. You know how stupid I feel at talking so pompously about this. I can't really make it...feel like an idiot.
-Hey but what does that mean!?
-Just tell us, Jack!
Jack smiled cheerfully as he nodded and massaged his stomach as the laughter faded away.
-What I meant to tell you is that... guys...pack your bags!
A rumble of amazement and excitement rose up among the pilots.
-We're leaving! Our mission in the land of the rising sun is... over!
-What?
- Unbelievable!
-Reaaally?
Jack stepped to the front row of the soldiers, took a cigarette out of his pocket and lit it. A tuft of hair fell over his eyes in the process. He looked up at them.
-You are dismissed. Until curfew you can pack your bags or have a party, your ass. Tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. I want you on the track. Hold your ears 'cause we're going north. destination Alaska Base.
-What the fuck.. all this means?
Hiro Hishi had grabbed Archer's shoulder with his hand and held it with a kind of pressure.
Jack turned around three-quarters of the way and avoided the pilot's burning gaze.
Izzy approached them cautiously.
-What's that! said Hiro as he banged the stack of bills repeatedly rhythmically on the palm of his hand.
-Whats this money? Did you get paid for the slaughter at the Chinese restaurant?
Jack's eyes darkened as he, tightened his jaw.
-Is that what you call it? It was a mission, our mission! he said
-Of course, a mission in which you dragged us for your scopes!
Jack had completely turned back and looked at him in disbelief. He soon felt disappointment and anger at Hiro's attitude.
-You forced us to kill people! That' s not how it was supposed to be! we are pilots and...
-What the fuck is wrong with you Hiro! - Izzy just couldn't hold back -We're at war! you cannot choose how to fight! she said.
Her voice was like a stab looked at her with anger, with hatred, but he went on at Jack
- And now you've turned us into murderers, you want to dump us, what did they promise you in Alaska Base ah? Speak up!
-Now enough Hiro! said Izzy, dismayed.
The anger had completely upset the pilot. He turned towards her with his entire body: he was so threatening that she involuntarily backtracked a few steps.
-You knew all about it, didn't you!? Ya knew it, admit it! but I'm not surprised...everyone knows that you're his mistress!
For Izzy it was like a smack in the face. All the pilots turned to look in their direction, Jack's eyes grown wide open took an almost amber hue.
The sound of a slap made the air quake.
Izzy Randall had hit Hiro Hishi with all the strength she had. But this physical effort was not comparable to the tenseness of her nerves. Then she did what a soldier should never do, she rushed out in tears.
Jack Archer did not say a word but simply looked straight ahead in the dazzling light that had swallowed the young woman.
Slowly, with a martial step, he left in the same line. He did not even take one look at Hiro Hishi, who was still motionless, not even realizing what had just happened. The other pilots mumbled between them behind his back.
Izzy Randall had already wiped away her tears. She was sitting on the floor trying to control her breathing. A shadow stretching out right in front of her made her wince. It was Archer. She immediately sprang to her feet.
-Lieutenant! I'm sorry!
She avoided looking him in the eye.
-I don't know what got into me. I will accept your punishment.
Jack looked at her impassively from above. A gentle breeze moved both of their hair. The soldiers of the ground troops and those of the Hughes looked at them with interest as they crossed the track. It was rare to see Archer on foot in the hangars.
He felt himself observed.
-You'll skip detention this time...you're all on leave, remember?
Izzy breathed with relief, but then she was overcome with anxiety at Hiro's words. Would he really will leave them to their destiny? The only question that hammered her brain was...
-How can I live without him?
She looked at Archer with the same tenderness as the night before. Jack realized that something was different in her gaze, but couldn't understand, couldn't decipher.
-Listen Sergeant, I have one last thing to do before we leave. And I have to do it now, will you come with me?
Izzy opened her eyes wide, nodded nodded contentedly.
The shelters only stayed a few miles from the hangars, in a mountainous area overlooking the bay. Jack Archer and Izzy Randall had reached there easily with a two-seater tracked car. The road was bumpy for a strategic reason. The shelters were not on any GPS map.
It was the first time they were both in there. Since the previous week's bombing almost the entire city had been displaced in the mountains. For this reason the number of civilian deaths was much lower than expected. This was what the Defense Forces bulletins had said.
Jack Archer entered first with a face recognition system, because his fingerprints were unreadable, while Izzy placed his thumb on a monitor display. Within minutes they heard the sound of a siren and a voice repeating a name mechanically.
The soldier at the shelter's front gate turned ceremoniously to Jack Archer.
-Shortly they would be here, Lieutenant
A few seconds later, Lin Baoxiong, his wife Shigeyo and his young daughter Minmay appeared from a long blind corridor in the hall flanked by a guard. The three of them could not choke on a shout of surprise.
-Commander Archer!
Lin Baoxiong's face looked ten years older, he let go of his wife's hand and approached the pilot.
-How's Taisho!? (Lieutenant) he said bowing down
- I'm glad you're not dead
Archer reached out to him
-I'm glad that you and your family are okay, and well...
-Tts because of you, taisho
-Nah... Dont mention it.
Izzy looked at the two women waiting a few steps back and smiled comfortably. Minmay smiled back and approached them. She was wearing a simple short dress with white flowers. At her feet she had some worn-out All star sneakers.
Jack looked at her and then also looked at Shigeyo. At last she approached too: all three were standing in front of him and Izzy, waiting.
-I'm not good with pleasantries...
said Archer, taking a large roll from the uniform pocket and handing it to Lin Baoxiong.
-This is for the restaurant... I... I hope you get it to fix the damage and resume your business...
Lin Baoxiong opened the roll with trembling hands. Her eyes lit up as if they were reflecting the light. In fact, they were full of tears.
-but I...
He looked at Shigeyo, Looked at Archer, then Izzy and then Minmay... then his wife again
-But we, we cannot accept, Taisho.
HE looked at Shigeyo, Looked at Archer, then Izzy, then Minmay, then his wife again
-but we, we cannot accept, Taisho.
Jack smiled awkwardly trying to look at a fixed far point in front of him.
-Good luck Lin Baoxiong, take care of your daughter!
Lieutenant Jack Archer did not wait for an answer. He turned his back and prepared to leave. In a rush he crossed the hallway towards the entrance, Izzy following.
Only when they were outside the shelters, just before getting into the car, she did speak.
-I didn't expect that. it... it was a very nice gesture from you.
-You did not expect it, did you, uh?
Jack turned to look at her while the sun flashed upon his face and made the irises of his eyes burn like molten gold.
At that very moment Izzy felt all the depth of her love. At realizing she almost lost her breath
-Who'd have ever said that? even the Giant Killer owns a heart
he mocked
Izzy took him by the hand
-Jack...
But he no longer was seeing her. His eyes were lost in the horizon, over the big dead city on the bay.
hello everyone I'm back after after two months. The truth is that I have been writing many pages of this fic, including Lisa, TR Edwards, Claudia, Lang and Roy Fokker but in the end Jack Archer ended grabbing all the room himself. The rest I wrote about Alaska Base will be in chapter 11... and it will be uploaded asap.
Heyy! How is your lockdown- quarantine going? Im in Europe now and things are not looking so good.
I take the liberty of asking if someone would like to be my beta. I have not been writing in English for a while and I am getting worse, yasss. Well that's all. Ty all for your reviews 3 It really makes me happy specially during these terrible times we are living all over the world.
byeee
with love, Mao
(1) Rick Yamada is a character inspired by the manga Macross - the First by Haruhiko Mikimoto, which, as everyone knows, is the creator of SDF Macross along with Shoji Kawamori. Well, this character, he was a close Minmay's friend when she was still living in Yokohama. He was also a photographer, and he took a very special photo. In the original japanese story his name was Hikaru Watanabe. I re-named him Rick Yamada in honor of Rick Hunter's former name at times Carl Macek himself was developing Robotech...then he changed his mind!
(2) Jennie is Jennie Kim from BlackPink... I know that technically (in real world) she's younger than Minmay and therefore can not be already a famous singer in this story but ... you'll pardon the poetic reference. hehe
(3) An english translation of the chinese characters in Ling Mingmei name is "bright and beautiful bell" (ie Wikipedia)
(4)The song is Dance in the sweet memories by Meiko Nakahara, an hit in 1988. It was also in Orange Road ost.