Chapter three: Slide to War
Unspecified location in Tokyo
Chouno Ami walked down the dark hallway, the lights flickering constantly. She climbed two flights of stairs and stopped by a door. She knocked twice, the sound resonating throughout the entire hallway. She smiled in amusement as several banging noises came from the opposite end of the door.
The door opened, and a man peered through. He had a scraggly beard and hair, and he looked like he hadn't gone outside in a month. "Oh, it's Chouno-kun," He muttered groggily.
Ami saluted. "Good morning, General Sakurai!"
Sakurai stared at her. "It's, uh.. six in the morning. What do you want?" He stuttered.
Ami pushed her way into the room, which was littered with empty bottles and inappropriate magazines. "You need to get a wife," She mumbled.
"This is not how you treat a superior!" Sakurai shouted.
Ami picked up a bottle. "That doesn't mean you're not a slob," she retorted. She looked around a corner. "You have a private bar?" She quickly ran over to the bar.
"Hey, don't touch anything." Sakurai yelled.
Ami peeked over the corner. "Oh, yeah. Just saying, more people will be coming over," She said, before going back to the bar.
"What?" Sakurai's jaw dropped as several more people crowded their way through the doorway. "Is that General Ayazaki, Colonel Kuroyama, and Admiral Hata?" He gaped. He turned around, and fell down. He slowly looked up at the person who he bumped into. He locked eyes with the cold gaze of the woman towering over him. "Nishizumi...Shiho?" He crawled back. "Ami, what is going on here?" He ran over to his private bar, where he was met with a drunk Chouno Ami, who had emptied the entirety of his alcohol cabinet.
Two hours later, in a conference room
Sakurai now looked more like a human; he had showered, shaved, and donned a military uniform. He sat down by the end of the table. Ami sat down next to him. "Perfect! You look normal for once!" She exclaimed.
Sakurai glared at her. "Says the one who drank my entire collection and is still sober," He nearly spat.
Ami laughed. "Nope. Still hammered," She heartily replied.
Nishizumi Shiho sat down next to Ami. "Congratulations on your promotion, colonel," She said.
"Thank you, Instructor!" Ami laughed.
"Everyone get to your seats, we are starting the meeting." General Ayazaki bellowed.
"No breakfast?" Sakurai grumbled.
"First order of business, on the recent proposition brought by Colonel Chouno Ami on the bill to place the National Japanese Senshadou Federation under the control of the JFSD," Ayazaki stated.
Ami shot up. "I believe it is immoral to train Young women to become soldiers to potentially send them to combat,"
"Please," Colonel Kuroyama said, "Senshadou practically turned them into soldiers already. Putting them in tanks and have them shooting each other? That is war, is it not?"
Ami slammed her fist on the table. "It is a sport, and we have placed many safety measures to ensure nothing fatal would happen," She exclaimed.
"I believe we should make a requirement for Senshadou schools to supply a minimum amount of infantry, depending on the size of the school, for use by the JSDF," One general piped up.
Ami glared at him. "Are you suggesting we militarize the entirety of Japan's educational system?" She demanded. "Did you forget what happened in the early 20th century, during the reign of the Empire? Children were indoctrinated to embrace the militaristic attitudes of the era, and look where it led them!"
The man balked. "No, just for the time being as we need as many soldiers as we can, as well as manpower for our industry and agriculture!" He quivered.
"Well then, why not have the girls go work in the agricultural sectors instead?" Ami demanded.
"Well, I believe that infantry training would add to the Senshadou experience as well. Antitank and antipersonnel tactics can be learned," The Colonel retorted.
"Are you saying we should risk the lives of young-" Ami started to shout but was interrupted when a soldier barged in.
"Excuse me for the intrusion!" saluted swiftly.
Sakurai saluted back. "Hm, what's wrong?" he asked.
The soldier fumbled with his reports. "Reports say nearly three dozen North Korean Troopships were sighted off the coast of Okinawa!" He shouted.
Naha, Okinawa
2,000 JSDF soldiers assembled, ready to repel the incoming North Korean landing ships.
For Major Kanagawa Taizou and his 14th company, who were stationed in front of Naha airport, watching the large ships slowly moving forward was unnerving. Nobody was talking, just staring up ahead.
"Want a smoke?" A private asked.
Taizou shook his head. "No thanks,"
"You'll need the energy to fight the enemy." The private insisted.
Taizou sighed. "Fine," He smiled and took the rations while thanking the private. "Your name?" He asked the private.
The private saluted. "Private First Class Sakata Tojiro, reporting for duty!" T
aizou swiftly saluted. "Kanagawa Taizou." He replied. He looked back at the ships. "So, were you born here like I was, or did you come from the mainland?" He asked.
" I was born in Nagoya, sir," Tojiro responded.
Taizou nodded. "Were you drafted?" He asked.
"No, sir. I joined up to protect Japan at any notice, sir."
"Same here. Oh, can you stop it with the 'sir'? It makes me feel old. Just call me Taizou," Taizou requested.
Tojiro pondered for a minute, before smiling. "Ok, Taizou-san!" He joyously exclaimed.
Taizou finally noticed the distant noise the rotors of the helicopters getting closer.
"Enemy helis!" One soldier shouted.
Taizou dove to the ground, ducking behind the sand dune, as nearly a dozen North Korean helicopters flew by, firing thousands of bullets at the entrenched soldiers. Bullets buried themselves into the sand around him, one nearly blowing his helmet off. His face became covered in sand that was thrown up by the bullet impacts. He watched the helicopters peel off and return to the sea, strafing the startled defenders one more time.
Taizou put his hand over his chest; his heart was pounding like it was on steroids. He peeked over the sand dune, to see several landing ships approaching the beach. "Troops, get ready!" He shouted through his radio.
He grabbed his Howa Type 20 Assault Rifle and made sure it was loaded. He saw the first ship reach the shoreline and anticipated the enemy attack with dread.
…...
The girl leaned against the cupola of her Pokpung-ho V "Pyuma" tank, humming very loudly. Her tank was the first of the newest generation of North Korean tanks, aided by the Chinese industry; the armour being a new secret type of composite and reactive armor, and had a main gun of 130mm.
"Captain?" The driver of the tank looked up. "Why are you humming? Isn't it nerve wracking to be up there, where the enemy could shoot you?" She asked nervously. "And could you tie up your hair and cover up that scar of yours?"
The captain looked down at her subordinate. "nervous? Ha, this is the most excited I've ever been! I can't believe I have the honor of fighting the greatest enemy of our glorious leader! The glorious leader protects me with his gracious arms, so I will not be touched by enemy bullets!" She proudly boasted. She reached out her hand. "Pass me a hair tie. I won't do anything to cover up my scar; it will be quite amusing to see the demoralization of the enemy when they see me."
"Thirty seconds until landing. Everyone get ready and good luck," The driver of the landing ship announced. The captain sneered, and began laughing hysterically as the doors of the ship slowly start to open.
…..
Taizou aimed his sights on the door, waiting for the perfect moment. The door slowly slide open, revealing an M1992 APC splashing into the water. "Someone take that out with the Howa 84!" He ordered. Kojiro aimed the recoilless rifle and fired once, and the round quickly found its target.
The M1992 exploded in a ball of flame, its occupants escaping their burning coffin and throwing themselves in the salt water in an attempt to put out the flames. More APCs and North Korean amphibious PT-85s tanks rolled out from behind the burning wreck, putting suppressing fire on the defenders. Infantry poured out from the APCs, scurrying like ants across the vast beach.
The 14th company fired down on the North Koreans, cutting dozens of them down in a minute. But more of them ran out from the dozens of landing ships now crawling ashore, and fired back at the 14th company. Bullets zipped by Taizou as he emptied out his magazine and was inserting a fresh one.
"Where are our mortars?" Taizou yelled.
"We lost them!" came the reply from Kojiro.
"Shit!" Taizou swore. He raised his assault rifle and squeezed the trigger four times, taking down four soldiers. His rifle jammed, and he ducked behind cover to unjam it. A grenade lands right next to Taizou. He reacted quickly, grabbing the grenade and propelling it back to the North Koreans.
Taizou looked up back to the North Koreans. He saw a tank amongst the infantry, a Pokpung-ho variant he had not seen before. But what caught his eye was not the tank itself, but the girl that was standing out of the hatch. He put his sights on her.
"Is that a high school girl?" A soldier asked.
"Goddamn, they're using children?" Taizou muttered.
"We can't shoot her?" Tojiro cried.
Taizou strained his eyes, watching the girl. He noticed the scar across the girl's eye, and something clicked in his mind. A girl with a tank. She has a scar across her eye. High school Girls driving tanks, North Korean tanks. A girl with a scar driving a North Korean tank. His mind raced with thoughts. The invasion of South Korea, the battle of Busan- He gasped with realization. "Take that girl out! She's the "Butcher of Busan", Ryuk Mi-jing, Captain of the North Korean Tankery team!" He shouted. He fired several shots right at Mi-jing's head; all of them missed, despite her being in his crosshairs. "What the…" He gritted his teeth.
A soldier fired an anti-tank missile, and seemed to hit right on target. Taizou sighed with relief.
Then from the smoke a tracer round shot into the sand dune, blasting Taizou and other soldiers back.
Taizou flew backwards and hit his head. He placed his hands on his forehead, and felt blood. His vision was blurry and he attempted to stand up, but he stumbled back. He heard a roar, and realized it was the warcry of the North Koreans, who charged with enthusiasm against the crumbling defense.
A North Korean soldier jumped over the sand dune and aimed his rifle at Taizou. Taizou rolled to the side quickly as the North Korean fired an entire magazine of his assault rifle.
Taizou grabbed a rifle from a dead comrade and shot the North Korean down. He stood up and quickly realized the situation. The defense was quickly disintegrating, with many of his friends lying a pool of their own blood. He looked over and saw Tojiro's lower body, intestines and organs spilling out.
Taizou coughed several times, and spat out blood. He tried to stumble forward, but was met with a North Korean tank. His eyes quivered with fear as he saw the girl sneer as she aimed the co-axial machine gun at him, and fired. Several bullets pierced Taizou's legs, body and arms. His vision went red, and he saw the treads of the tank bearing over him and the girl laughing her head off. "Is she a demon..?" he mumbled before being crushed by the treads.
JSDF Headquarters, Ichigaya, Tokyo
General Ayazaki, Colonel Chouno Ami, Colonel Kuroyama, General Sakurai, Nishizumi Shiho and the others sat in disbelief as they heard the reports of the North Korean advance throughout Okinawa.
"Shit," Sakurai mumbled.
"How many troops are in Okinawa?" Chouno demanded.
The soldier who reported it stood up. "Around 18,000 soldiers are stationed in Okinawa at this time, but they will need reinforcements soon, or they will be overwhelmed,"
"Where are the nearest JSDF forces?" Kuroyama asked.
The soldier glanced at Shiho before answering: "The Kuromorimine Girls High School JSDF Carrier, sir," He reluctantly replied, and a cold feeling washed over Shiho.
"Good. Send them to Okinawa." Kuroyama ordered.
"Wait!" Shiho shouted, standing up.
"What is it, Shiho-san? Is something wrong?" Kuroyama eyed her.
"Are you really going to send young girls to fight? For them to die?" Shiho glared at Kuroyama.
"We were deliberately attacked by a hostile nation. I am willing to use any asset available for a victory," He answered slowly.
"Victory? Is that the only thing you care about?" Shiho yelled.
Kuroyama slammed his fist on the table. "You always annoyed me, Nishizumi. Especially your style. You lecture me on about sacrificing for victory? What about the 62nd National High School Senshadou tournament? Were you not willing to sacrifice a tank and its crew for a ten year victory streak? Were you not going to disown your daughter for saving the crew? You are so hypocritical you disgust me. Doesn't your own Senshadou style commands complete obedience, rigid discipline and victory above all?" He spat out. He sneered at Shiho, who was pale as a ghost before continuing. "If you are willing to sacrifice a few girls for a tournament, you should also be willing to sacrifice a school for the fate of our nation."
He stood up and walked to the door. He turned around and looked at Shiho once again. "If you think I enjoy this, you are wrong. We both agree on the fact that sending young girls is wrong. But imagine this: How long do you think your daughters will survive under the control of the North Koreans? Better to fight and die, than live being slaves," He left the room quickly after that.
Ooarai Girls High School Carrier
Miho woke up late and had to hurry to make it to school. She ran all the way, only stopping when she saw Saori drag Mako across the sidewalk. She turned around when she noticed Miho behind her. "Help me drag this thing to school.." She groaned. Miho laughed, and picked up Mako.
Thanks to Mako, they were nearly fifteen minutes late to school. At the gate was the president of the Public Morals Committee, Sono Midoriko.
"Reizei-san, are you making other students late besides yourself? You should be ashamed of yourself!" Midoriko shouted. She turned to Saori and Miho. "I'll let you two go this time, just leave Reizei be next time." She ordered.
"Sodoko," Mako groaned.
"Don't call me that!" Sodoko snapped. She continued to yell at Mako while Saori and Miho walked into the school.
Miho and Saori are in their classroom, talking with Yukari and Hana when Mako entered the room. "Whew, I got an earful this time. What is she, an old grandma?" Mako grumbled.
"You should wake up earlier," Saori told her.
"I'm not going to die early, unlike your 'boyfriend'," Mako retorted. Hana and Yukari had to hold Saori back as she tried to grab Mako.
"Guderian-dono!" Came a voice. Yukari let go of Saori, who fell onto the floor.
"Ah, Erwin-dono!" Yukari saluted.
A blonde girl wearing a Afrika Corps jacket and a field marshal's hat stood in front of her. "Morning, Nishizumi-dono," She tipped her hat.
"Good morning, Erwin-san." Miho said.
"Heard what's going down with North Korea? Things are getting crazy!" Erwin exclaimed.
"Yeah, I have a feeling it's going to be a rerun of Pearl Harbor," A girl with glasses stepped out from behind Erwin.
"Oryou-san!" Miho said.
"Where is Saemonza and Caesar-dono?" Yukari asked.
Erwin shrugged. "Caesar is chatting with Carpaccio and I don't know what Saemonza is doing," She sat down in a chair. "Guderian-dono, I've seen you around the JFSD base. Do you visit there often?"
"Yes! I've visited so often the soldiers gave me a nickname: Private Fluff!" Yukari answered.
"Fluff?" Saori asked incredulously.
"On account of my hair," Yukari replied. "It seems they have taken a liking to me."
"You are eccentric…" Saori started but was interrupted by the intercom: "All students must report to the gym immediately. I repeat, all students must report to the gym immediately."
"Hm, I wonder what the student council have in store for us." Erwin chuckled.
The students sat on the gym floor, unsure of what's happening.
"Maybe they're going to resurrect the volleyball team." The captain of the defunct volleyball club Isobe Noriko told her fellow Volleyballer Shinobu Kawanishi, who shook her head disappointingly.
Hana looked on excitedly. "Maybe they are going to hold an all you can eat buffet." She told Saori.
"Everyone quiet!" A bellowing voice echoed throughout the gym. Everyone looked forward to see Kawashima Momo, the Student council PR manager standing menacingly.
"President," She turned the microphone to Kadotani Anzu, the president of the student council.
"Thanks, Kawashima," Anzu took the microphone before turned to the crowd before her. "Now, everyone, I need you to pay attention really closely." Her previous cheery attitude turned serious. "This message is broadcasted live, and we were ordered to watch it from the prime minister of Japan himself."
She pointed to vice president Koyama Yuzu. "Hit it!" She yelled.
The gym lights dimmed, and a screen descended from the ceiling.
"I wonder what's going on," Erwin whistled.
Miho looked down at her lap. This isn't good, she thought to herself.
A countdown appeared on the screen "5...4...3...2...1…" The screen changed to a news station. "Good morning, and welcome to NHK News," A male anchor said. "For the past week, North Korean ships have been scurrying by Japanese waters, sending jet fighters and helicopters over the border to test our mettle. And finally, today at around eight O'clock approximately three dozen North Korean transport ships have landed thousands of troops in Naha and Nago. The JSDF have reinforced the Okinawa garrison upto 18,000 soldiers, but the defense is slowly getting pushed back. We now go live to Naha, with Higashino Kazuyo, reporting on the scene."
The camera turned to a woman with glasses outside a few buildings. "Hello, Higashino Kazuyo here, reporting live from Naha. You can all here the gunfire and explosions can be heard from across the city. Around 7,000 North Koreans have landed so far, severely pushing back our soldiers. We have suffered severe casualties, including 370 killed. We are-" There was an explosion near her, causing her to scream and duck.
A JSDF soldier ran up to her. "Ma'am, you need to evacuate now!" He ordered. The female anchor looked at him. "But we need to inform the population-"
"Ma'am, we are responsible for your safety!" The soldier screamed as t camera suddenly went back to the news anchor, who wiped some sweat off his forehead.
"Well, as of right now reinforcements are being sent to Okinawa as we speak, including the Kuromorimine Girls High School JSDF carrier. With that, China has issued a declaration of solidarity with North Korea on the decision to invade Okinawa, and Japan has formally joined the Allied Powers of Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines and Indonesia. Japan is now officially at war with North Korea and China. Thank you for your time, please remain calm and have a nice day." The man screen then went completely blank.
The crowd went wild with confusion and panic.
"Holy crap! We're next!" A first-year screamed.
"I don't wanna die!" Another girl wailed.
"Calm down! Calm down!" Momo yelled through the microphone, but her voice quivered with nervousness herself. Even the Student Council had not expected such a message.
"Miporin! He said Kuromorimine, didn't he? That's where your sister is!" Saori grabbed Miho's shoulder.
Miho quickly got out her phone and dialed her sister's number in a panic; her panic subsided somewhat when Maho answered. "Oneesan!" She yelled.
"So, you've heard about it, huh," Maho said from the other line.
"You're going to Okinawa?" Miho asked, hoping for the impossible.
"Yeah, we're already heading towards there," Maho answered.
"Did, did mom call you?"
"She called me a few minutes ago. She said she was sorry for failing to stop this from happening, but I know she tried her best. I'm not worried about what happens to myself; If I go to the frontlines if you don't have to, I will in a heartbeat,"
"But you could die,"
"I know, and I don't like that. But I'm not afraid, and I will do what I am supposed to do,"
"Please, don't say that,"
"It's okay. I won't die, I promise you. I promise we will see eachother again. You, Mother and I will be one family again after all of this is over. Got it?"
Miho nodded, tears overflowing from her eyes. "Yeah, a promise,"
"Okay. So, see you later." Maho hung up and put her phone away. She felt bad for lying to Miho; she was scared out of her mind on the prospect of dying, but she has to act brave in front of Miho. Good thing she couldn't see the Maho crying.
Erika walked over and put her hand on her shoulder. "Are you done, commander?" She asked.
Maho wiped her eyes and looked back. "Yeah, I'm done," Both of them walked towards the armory, to get ready for the inevitable battle.