Hey there everyone. Sorry for the super long wait, so here's an longer chapter to make up for it. I like to thank CMac54 for the Beta, been a big help. Without further adieu, here's the next instalment :)

))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

A cool breeze brushed against Zao's face as he took in the view of the repurposed airport atop the central terminal. The sea air coming from the east filled his nostrils as the cawing of gulls sounded over the airport. From his earlier conversation with Lieutenant Han, he discovered the former Pudong International Airport was renamed by the occupying Hong forces as Imperial Camp Alpha. It was a name Zao found monotonous but it mattered little, with the premises former purpose no longer in effect, nor would that be the case for the foreseeable cracked and battered runways were filled with military tents ranging in different sizes, perhaps most of which he presumed were primarily used for sleeping quarters and storage.

Men and mutant beasts roamed the runways, going about their duties for the post war empire they served. The scene was a common sight of a martial organisation, one Zao had seen countless times centuries ago. It was the norm for a military hub to be a constant hive of activity. The sun shone down above the sickly green tinted blue skies, piercing the stark white clouds clogging up a good portion of the upper atmosphere. Zao went as far as to think it was a relatively nice day. Barring it greeted the crumbling, desolate ruins of one of Old China's cities.

Han also informed him of Hanwen's displeasure with Ambassador Yang's approval of allowing him a larger tour of their base. The Hong General was still adamant he was a spy, working for the government that no longer held control of the country, besides a handful of holdouts according to the Lieutenant. It was becoming evident to Zao, his presence was creating a rift between the diplomats and military officials of his hosts. It meant little to him over the politics of the Hong, so long as their policy didn't suddenly and drastically change to shooting those wearing the tattered uniforms of the PLA on sight.

Further into the distance from the base out into the horizon, Zao saw the sun's ray reflect off the former skyscrapers of the once thriving city. He began thinking back to the pre war days, of a time when China was not a warzone. Such a vision was difficult to picture now. For so long he had only seen the faltering ruins of cities that imagining one untouched by warfare seemed like a fairy tale

He could make out the once captivating Bund of the Pudong District, thanks to the famous stretch of buildings on the other side of the Huangpu river still standing along the waterfront relatively intact. Shanghai Tower reigned supreme as the largest structure in what was now the Shang Wastes, a name Zao heard was the post war christened name given by the locals according to the young Hong officer.

"Quite the view up here, isn't it?"

"It is. If you're into the derelict and war torn scenery." Zao quipped with a small grin at his assigned Hong chaperone.

"Once we've liberated the people of the Shang from the Horde and the Dragon invaders, perhaps we can help rebuild the city to its former glory." Han said, leaning forward against the railing. Zao didn't reply straight away as he gave the optimistic officer a sideward glance over his words.

Liberation.

A word and form of action that brought hope to a populace wanting freedom from the talons of an unpopular and, quite often, brutal occupier. It wasn't lost on Zao the 'liberation' part of the People's Liberation Army was once seen by the capitalist West to be an ironic joke. He remembered the 'liberation' of their neighbours. His first taste of service for the Chinese navy was the invasions of the Korean Peninsula and Japan. Back then he held the same optimism and naive belief as the Lieutenant, that he was doing his duty in helping his country expel influences that would bring down the fabric of his people's society.

The bloody, years long, drawn out stalemate that came to be referred to as the Resources Wars, doubled with spreading reports of harsh repercussions and crackdowns on civilian populations who resented PLA's liberation, began planting the seeds of doubt. That same doubt that led to the realisation that they weren't liberators, but the conquerors the American news outlets had portrayed them as. Still, this did not dissuade Zao from continuing to fight on for his beloved China, especially as their enemy was no different in annexing their own neighbours like an imperialist power.

Being trapped beneath the waters of Boston's Harbour in the Yangtze for two hundred years gave him plenty of time to dwell on the actions of the combating sides of the bygone conflict. It was fruitless to pine on the actions of his country's defunct leadership. However, Zao grew curious as to how the residents of Shanghai felt about the Hong's presence, or the other factions vying for control of the region. Did they see the Hong's presence as a liberation, or another occupier laying claim to their land?

"It would take much hard work and heavy investment in resources to bring Shanghai back to its pre war days. Does your empire have the means for such a task?" Zao asked.

"Unfortunately not. It took a great deal of time to rebuild Chongsheng after the Nuclear War. The Shang has been a battleground for over two hundred years with most of its infrastructure destroyed. Conventional arms and nuclear blast damage has taken a toll on this old city." Han said. Zao picked up in Hans's voice which, if he wasn't mistaken, was wonderment that sounded almost child like.

"A fate shared by hundreds, if not thousands more across the world."

"Sadly so. I've only seen pictures of what Taipei once looked like many years ago. It must've been incredible to live in such a place."

"What is it like now?" Zao asked, genuinely curious over the former capital of the island separatists.

"We've built our capital, Jinzhu, into, and in some literal cases, right on top of the ruins of Taipei. It doesn't look quite the same as its predecessor but its prosperous and the safest place in the Empire. It was our first Emperor's vision for all settlements, big or small, village or city under the Hong Empire to be well protected and flourishing." Han said, looking down at his fumbling hands resting on the barrier with an expression Zao couldn't quite make out.

"It is a noble dream. One that comes with great difficulty for a new nation taking its first steps into the cycle of civilisation."

"Particularly after our ancestors of the old world irradiated everything." The young officer gave him a lopsided grin.

Picturing the survivors of the aftermath trying to build a living for themselves, only for things to be a hundred times worse with the soil of the ground and safe water basins poisoned by the radioactive fallout, their infrastructure obliterated and unlikely to ever again be rebuilt in the same ways as before, was not particularly assuring. He was starting to believe if this was another punishment he was to endure. To listen to the hardships he, Old China and the warring nations of the Resource Wars warped on mankind.

He didn't disagree with the personal penance he brought on himself, only he wished to hear some good tales out of it now and then.

"If you don't mind my asking, Captain, but where did you come from originally?"

"I was born in Nanjing. A city less than two hundred miles from here, if it's still there that is. The last time I heard anything on Nanjing was the Americans pushing the PLA ground forces out and occupying it much like they did Shanghai." Zao thought back on when he received the news that his place of birth had been conquered by the United States.

His family were still residing in the city when the capitalists took control. He feared the Americans would exact revenge on the populace for what the army had done to Anchorage and the surrounding towns when they took control of Alaska. Misery definitely wanted to constantly lurk in his thought pattern it seemed.

"Lieutenant Han, sir." A new voice broke him out from his dwellings, one of which he was glad for the intrusion.

Turning simultaneously with the Lieutenant around back toward the stairwell entrance, Zao spotted a soldier standing to attention, speculating he was a private or a low rank NCO judging by the light armour covering his fatigues.

"Yes, Corporal, what is it?" Han asked the soldier.

"General Hanwen has requested yours and the...Captain's presence right away." The soldier relayed, glancing at him briefly then back to Han.

"Very well. We'll be there shortly." The Hong officer nodded to the Corporal as confirmation to the order. The Corporal gave a fist and palm salute, bowing ever so slightly then raced back down to the base. It was another note that Zao memorised the Hong's likeness to the ancient customs.

"Why do you think your General has summoned us once more?"

"To question where you have been snooping about no doubt. What intel you have gathered and ready to deliver to your communist Masters." Han jested with a grin.

"A difficult task reporting to dead men." Zao snorted in response.

"I guess it is time to see what Hanwen really wants us for. Last thing I want is to be on the receiving end of a chastising lecture of the tardiness of responding to a superior officer."

Zao gave a humoured smile at the youngster, reminding him much of his own attitude as a young naval officer so long ago. He followed the Lieutenant back into the base, not overly eager to come face to face with Hanwen again after their last encounter. The baseless accusations of espionage were growing tedious and he doubted there was anything he could say that would convince the Hong General otherwise.

Waiting for them at the bottom of the steps were a pair of soldiers assigned to guard him. He saw Han give a nod to the duo then follow closely behind afterwards. The both of them were armed with the standard Type 93 assault rifle. Zao came to the conclusion it was the standard rifle of the Hong army for its foot soldiers. With the large presence China had established on Formosa it would make sense so much of their weaponry was left over for whoever remained to pick them up from their former owners' dead hands.

On their way to their meeting with the General, Zao let his vision wander the airport for the umpteenth time since he was brought here. There was scarcely anything new or out of the ordinary from activity of the base. A platoon sized unit of soldiers marched passed heading toward the refitted doors of the terminal entrance. Gone were the broken and shattered glass doors he had walked through a week ago and in its place were metallic shutters. Zao arched a brow at the odd choice but paid little mind to his hosts idea of main doorway, or where the unit was bound for.

He saw Han was greeted by the low-ranking soldiers of the army with salutes and nods, for that to switch to looks his way and change their respectful stance to expressions of contempt. The stares never lasted for more than a few seconds before they turned back to their duties. Zao thought it almost comical, for it became a regular thing as of late. They would greet his chaperone with smiles and respect, to quickly change that friendliness as soon as they laid eyes on him.

"Lieutenant. Captain" A soft, feminine voice came up beside and greeted him.

"Miss Ling, I'm afraid I am unable to help with any issues right now. We are on our way to meet with General Hanwen." Han politely told her, brushing away the Ambassador's assistant coming requests.

"What a coincidence, Lieutenant Han. For I too have been summoned to meet with the General and Ambassador Yang." Mei responded.

Zao released a small sigh through his nose, feeling already irritated at the prospect of being used as a tool between the bickering of the Hong Empire's leadership. For a politician, Yang came across as a friendly and decent man. However, Zao knew that was a popular image people of his profession liked to facade in to gain support in their endeavors of ambition. He was thankful for the small things the Ambassador had done for him but he was certain Yang will be asking for a favour in return in the not too distant future.

"I am a little curious. Every time the General calls upon me, you are sent for also." Han said.

"There's no conspiracy, Lieutenant. Even the most obtuse person would see why my presence is needed with Captain Zao currently under military care." She replied coolly. Zao picked up the implication she was proding Han with.

"As you can see, Representative, no harm or mistreatment has been brought on the good is no need for your concerns."

"Maybe. However, the Diplomatic Buro do not share your assurances and require a civilian hand in his care. Can you speak for all the soldiers on base they won't bring harm on our guest if given the chance?"

"None will disobey the General's order." The Lieutenant stated.

"An order given because the Ambassador made it so." Mei shot back. He sensed an oncoming argument ensuring if the subject wasn't changed.

"If I may inquire, Miss Ling, do you know why we have been called to meet with your superiors again?" Zao asked, breaking the chance of squabbling taking a foothold.

"Not much. All I know it involves your ship." She informed him.

"Submarine." Han smirked at her over his correction but Zao felt no humour at the mention of his vessel.

"Yangtze? Why, what have you people done to her?" He asked worryingly, feeling a tinge of anger at the possibilities that ran through his head at what the Hong were doing to his sub.

"As I said, Captain, I don't know much on what is going on. We'll discover shortly on what is happening in regards to your submarine." Mei said, shooting a glare at Han at the use of the correct terminology.

The arguing turned to inquiries of internal business of their homeland but this became nothing more than background noise to Zao. The only dealings of the Hong he was solely interested in was that they had on the Yangtze. He had heard no news on his submarine since being escorted away from the harbour. Representative Ling had told no one to enter his vessel to those present but those orders were more than likely adjusted by her superiors.

A piece of Old China technology residing at their doorstep, able to perform capabilities he doubted anyone on present on base had seen or thought to see again was too tempting to just ignore. It wasn't like he was in a position to stop them. His heart grew with angry at the thought that they were picking her apart like some child's toy.

The corridors he was lead down were all too familiar as of late. The cracked and worn away walls housing command staff within the row of rooms on each side were noisy with chatter. The only time they stopped was for a Zhuli floating in their direction. He stood aside for the robot, who didn't seem to acknowledge or care for their presence. Zao never was fond of the machines. He was glad when he heard Rear Admiral Wu went against the decision of having the servant bots aboard the ships of the 1st East Sea Fleet.

The one room they did pass that Zao glanced into was the war room. In the briefest of seconds he noted a large gathering of officers around the centred map, waiting presumably for their General to start proceedings.

Zao saw the room he recognised to be the Ambassador's office. Two soldiers stood guard on either side of the office door, who nodded at the Lieutenant and Miss Ling's as acknowledgement allowing them entry. He saw them return to their professional stance on guard duty, looking straight ahead to the wall opposite ignoring him and their countrymen entering in. Entering in he found Yang and Hanwen in discussion with a white lab coated woman, standing next to an equally coloured Zhuli servant bot hovering beside her.

"General." Han said standing to attention and giving a quick salute to the heavily armoured General.

"Lieutenant. Captain." Hanwen said, adding a dose of contempt in his voice at the mention of his rank.

"Ah, Captain Zao. I trust everything is well?" The Ambassador greeted him in a more friendlier manner.

"Yes, Ambassador." Zao answered taking position between Mei and Han.

"Ambassador with all due respect, let us cut through the pleasantries and small talk. I have more important matters to attend to." The Hong General impatiently told him.

"Yes, yes, General. Wouldn't hurt for you to try a more diplomatic approach now and then to welcome our guests." Yang gave a glare to his military counterpart. "Captain, this is Doctor Xue Ruyin. She leads the science division detachment from the Office of Science and Research." He introduced the woman they had been conversing with.

"Captain." The lady offered her hand to his surprise.

"Doctor." Zao accepted the gesture.

"The Yangtze 31 is an impressive boat, Captain Zao. It is extremely rare to come across an underwater vessel in working order, and more so in such great shape. The knowledge we can gather from such a marvel in terms of transportation and computer technologies would be a great asset to our people. It will be a pleasure to bring that kind of lost knowledge back to civilisation." The Doctor said with feverish wonderment.

"Ha! A marvel? That steel beast should be gutted and then sent to the bowls of the Dead Seas." Hanwen sneered. Zao narrowed his eyes into a hard glare at the General.

"With all due respect, Ambassador, I was assured by your Representative no one was to board the Yangtze?" Zao inquired, fuming at their trespassing aboard the submarine without his consent.

"Captain-"

"You forget yourself, Captain Zao. Your ship is under our custody, just as you are. You hold no power, nor say on what goes on. We will do as we see fit to keep our people safe from such monstrosities that thing possess." Hanwen cut over Zhu, ridiculing him over the current predicament he found himself in.

"I can assure you, Captain, we have been very careful inspecting the sub." Ruyin stepped in, ignoring the General's bristling words. "The furthest we have gone within is toward the Mess before the decision was made to halt further investigation due to our Geiger counters readings of high levels of ionising radiation leaking out from the reactor core."

"As I said to you people before why it was dangerous for you to board." He firmly reiterated.

"We may be able to help with the leak. Unfortunately, we do not at this moment in time have the correct anti-rad equipment, but I can requisition for more radiation suits, Rad-X supplies and tools needed to purge areas affected by the leak."

"Doctor, that is all well and good, however, we called on the Captain for what you discovered in the cafeteria?" Ambassador Zhu more respectfully cut in.

"Ah yes, of course. My team upon entering the Mess Hall discovered twenty two sheet covered deceased bodies heavily damaged by what seems to be a rapid decay of radiation sickness."

"My crew." Zao stated melancholy. He sensed the air of sympathy from all but one in the room. It pleased him a little that despite their governments views, past and present, they kept the concept of decency when viewing the dead.

"I see. I'm sorry, Captain. May I ask what you have planned of your former crewmen?" Zhu quizzed him.

"I had hoped on burying them in the soils of China. Give them a fitting resting place in the Motherland."

"The last thing the Shang needs is more communist filth to contaminate the land." Hanwen snorted.

Since he was a child, Zao was taught that the etiquette of being respectful to a superior was very important and a sign of good manners. He had come across officers like Hanwen years ago. Their nerve testing arrogance, their detestable attitude to those they see beneath them simply because they held a higher rank or standing in their society. He had his grievances with these types of people but he kept his opinions private, not out in the open like he'd know the old American officers would.

The insults, the scorns and the loathed filled stares he could put up with. What he wouldn't tolerate, high ranking General or not, was the spouting of that rhetoric and ill speaking of his fallen comrades. A spike of anger coursed through his usual calm demeanour, momentarily breaking through as he finally relented to responding to Hanwen's spiteful remarks.

Smashing his hands down on the table, Zao ignored the startled looks and Han placing a hand on his holster as he directed his fiery anger at the General. "Those filth, General, those men and women aboard waiting to be laid to rest have far more right than any of you Hong to be buried in the grounds of their homeland. This is their China, the country for whom they had fought, protected and served long before your ancestors emerged out of the muck of your insolent island. All were born and bred on this land, two of which were born and raised in Shanghai before it was taken by the Americans. They did their duty for China, without pause or complaint. I'll be damned if I allow a man of ignorance like you to prevent them from finding peace in the homeland they dedicated and sacrificed their lives in defence of!"

Thick tension arose through the silence of the office. Zao's hardened glare bore into the eyes of Hanwen. The General was taken aback like the other occupants by his outburst with his eye widened in surprise, only for it to filter back into his never-ending fixed gaze of disapproval. The silence lasted only for a moment more when a cough from the Ambassador brought the silent warring two from their exchange.

"General, perhaps it is best you leave us now. I believe,as you said, have important business to attend to?"

"Indeed." Hanwen grunted, not breaking his focus off him. "One of us here it seems are more concerned with the real job the Empire has sent us out here to do." He said giving a side glance to Zhu then left the office.

Zao stood up straight again, feeling his anger subside and a personal feel of embarrassment allowing his emotions to get the better of him. The door to the office creaked open then slammed shut with force, ebbing away some of the awkwardness that descended moments ago.

"It is not often I see the General speechless, Captain. It appears he has a knack for awakening a person's inner dragon, friend and enemy alike." Zhu said in a tone that Zao thought sounded almost it was amused.

"No, Ambassador. I should not of raised my voice in such a manner. It is unbefitting for an officer to do so to a superior, even if they are not of the same service or nation."

"All the same. Although, the Empire does has as much a right to be here as you do. China, of course belongs to all Chinese." Zao raised a questionable brow at the Ambassador's words but the raise of a hand cut off any inquiry over the statement. "Captain Zao, what if I was to say I will permit your request and in return you will help our scientists get a better understanding of how your vessel operates?"

It was a question Zao knew was inevitably going to be asked. All the same he couldn't resist clenching his jaw over it. He knew the Ambassador was choosing the polite and friendly path to get him to come around and let his people scurry around the Yangtze, poking and touching everything to find out and discover the purposes and operations of each piece of equipment that made the submarine work. He could say no, tell him to go to hell but it was a futile gesture because he knew they would just do it anyway.

What he wished was for them and everyone else in the Shanghai ruins to leave the Yangtze alone. However, this was not going to happen to his dismay. Having thinking over how to deal with this he gave his already planned answer.

"Very well. But preferably under my supervision."

"Of course, Captain. Your expertise and knowledge of each function will be invaluable. The last thing we want is a radioactive disaster at Fangwei's Harbour." Zhu said with a relieved smile before turning to Doctor Ruyin. "Doctor, I want you to submit the list of requirements you need to see about fixing and safely studying this vessel. Lieutenant, Representative Ling will be attached with you to escort Captain Zao back to the Harbour. I will send word for carts and a some Qiin to be used at your discretion."

"I'm afraid I will have to gain permission off General Hanwen to depart with the Captain, Ambassador." Han said with unease.

"Are you not the officer in charge of his well being, Lieutenant?" Mei quizzed challengingly at the young officer.

"I am, Miss Ling. But I must report all activity to the General." He replied.

"Very well, Lieutenant. If you are unable I'm sure Miss Ling will do an adequate job of keeping the Captain out of trouble." Zhu nodded over to his underling. "If that is all, I must return to other matters. I have much waiting for me that requires a less gruff approach."

"Thank you, Ambassador." Zao nodded appreciatively to the man.

"Follow me, Captain." Mei gestured to the door. "We shall meet you back at Fangwei's Harbour, Doctor."

"We will eagerly await you there." Ruyin bid them a temporary farewell.

A feeling of relief washed over Zao to finally be able to depart from the office. More so he felt grateful his request had been granted, given he held doubt they would let him have the chance to give his crew proper funeral rites. He could sense the presence of Han following behind their exit. Zao pitied the Lieutenant for having to face the General who'd no doubt will be in a foul mood after the confrontation. The Ambassador's response after will only feed animosity between the leaders of the Hong Empire presence in the Shang.

"Corporal, you are to go with the Representative and remain under her command until my return." Han ordered the NCO of the two guards who'd been following around with him..

"Yes sir." The Corporal responded.

"I wish you luck, Lieutenant. I shall write a letter of condolences to your family if you do not return." Mei teased with a pursed grin, earning an annoyed roll of the eyes from Han. Had he been in calmer mood, Zao would've chuckled or made his own remark in good humour to the junior officer but right now he only wished to return to the Yangtze.

"Be seeing you later, Miss Ling. Captain." The miffed Lieutenant departed from their company.

"What we need is residing within one of the old Hangar bays. I hope your sense of smell is on the strong side." She said with a less than enthusiastic tone.

Interest as to what the Representative meant drew him out of his self-fuming. Heading out of the office area toward the same direction they had entered in from, Zao saw the War Room doors were closed and guarded with twice as many soldiers as the Ambassador's. Passing by he felt their eyes for a small amount of time lay on him with caution and distrust, even with their blank expressions etched on each of their faces.

Zao was both glad and ever more curious when the main terminal holding area came into view as they passed the doors. He had passed it and been through it many times but was finally getting the chance to leave it, to see more of the airport with his own eyes on the ground. Perhaps even what lay beyond in the Shang. The men by the entrance kept an eye on their approach, only standing aside when they were giving a confirmation to the Ambassador's orders Mei had presented in paper.

From the rooftop viewing post, Zao had watched the stream of Hong military personnel going back and forth across the runways. Up close though it felt like he was in the middle of a busy shopping mall with so many people around. He couldn't yet get over the eerie resemblance the troops of an empire formed from the ashes of Taiwan bared to the warriors of China's very distant imperial dynasties. Walking amongst this army felt to him like the universe had twisted the past and present and morphed it together, as if it dropped a piece of ancient history and dumped it in the wastes of the future. Zao momentarily thought on what his ancestors thought looking down at humanity today and what it had done to itself.

Shame. Disgust. Regret. Sorrow. He put doubt they'd forgive his contribution to that misery.

"This way." Mei said pointing over to the row of rundown hangars further down the tent littered runways and imposing comm towers bristling with guns and barbed wire.

Judging by the crumbled rubble on the far left side, there were originally four of the hangar bays that once housed different models of aircraft. Instead, Zao found himself looking at an animal pen surrounded by the pulled off wings of various planes reused for barriers around the base for protection. As they got closer, the foul scent of manure blew up wind in their direction. Instinctively he raised his hands to his nose and heard a cough from the Representative, who only for a very short amount of time copied his actions before retracting her hand and switching to a more professional stance.

Zao followed in step with her, taking a gander at the wooden fenced and mesh wired pens inside. A loud cow like bellow emitted out from the pens, drawing his curiosity as to what animals these people kept.

"Kennel Master Ping?" Mei called out over to the hastily designed desk area made of cobbled together wooden pallets and metallic sheets.

"What is it?" A gruff voice replied back from beneath the desk. Emerging up, Zao was greeted by a large bellied and dirt covered man in military patterned overalls and an untidy beard covering most of his face. He saw the overweight man give him a suspicious glare then turned his attention back to Mei.

"I have orders from Ambassador Zhu for two Qiin and an equal amount of carts to be leased to us immediately." She relayed the Ambassador's list politely.

"Bah, you politician types. Thinking you can just walk around here as if you own the place and take whatever you want without a care in the world." The fat man snorted insolently.

Zao felt angered by this odious man's lack of respect and was half tempted to give the man a lesson in manners when addressing a superior, and a lady at that.

"If there's an issue you can take it up with the Ambassador, or better yet, General Hanwen. Now, will you lease the Qiin to us peacefully or is a more firm hand required for their release?" Her subtle threat was met with a snort as the Kennel Master barked an order over to someone on the far end of the pens.

Waiting for the unknown creatures she was referring to, Zao recognised a few of the mutant animals from his observation earlier. There were cattle that possessed two heads, hawks in less than spacious cages with three eyes and hounds that lacked any form of disfigurement or mutation. Part of him felt glad not all life had been severely affected by the radiation fallout.

The sound of heavy hooves stomping on the tarmac coming from the opposite side of the hangar caught his attention, distracting him away from the animals. Turning his head, Zao was shocked by the huge, shaggy black beast being lead by a handler.

"Woah." He exclaimed in shock as the hulking monster was brought over, with another tailing behind it.

"What is wrong, zombie devil? Never seen a Qiin before?" The fat man mocked him over his reaction.

Not bothering with the ignorant laced comment he stared at the lugging animal with awe. It held a strong resemblance to a musk ox with a few very noticeable differences. Its curved horns were nothing out of the ordinary but the large and deadly looking horn in the middle of its nose was indeed of that category. It gave it a hybridisation appearance that made him think if they were crossed with rhinos. The ox creature's body was completely covered in a heavy, thick coat of black hair which he couldn't help but note emitted a slight unpleasant stench.

"Ping, why you haven't sheared them? The poor beast must be boiling in all that hair." Mei asked the Kennel Master hotly, walking up to the front one and patted the side of its face.

"I haven't had the time to do so. With all this troop movement it is difficult to catch up on minor things."

"Minor things." The Representative narrowed her eyes at him over the reply.

"They're yours now for the time being." Ping shrugged with little care.

The odious man turned away and return to his duties, leaving Zao to look over the Qiin. The handlers lead the Qiin outside to the awaiting wooden framed carts he hadn't seen pull up to the mouth of the hangar bay.

"Beautiful animals, aren't they?" Mei spoke up beside him.

"That's one way to describe them." Zao replied watching as the handlers tied the ropes of the carts to the Qiin's horns.

"Representative." A masculine voice called out from the front of their peculiar form of transport. From the side of the vocal Qiin on the left hand side cart, Zao saw the familiar face of Han come walking over to them.

"Lieutenant. I see you are in one piece." Mei welcomed him back with a grin.

"The General prefers I am to stay with the Captain. He doesn't want to think the Diplomatic Buro is getting soft now." Han shot back unamused.

"A deal is a deal. We honour our agreements, Lieutenant, and we intend to keep it that way." She said, earning a disbelieving snort from the Imperial officer.

"All is ready for transportation, Representative." One of the handlers called over to her.

"Thank you. Everyone take a seat. Let's see about getting this done before nightfall."

"Yes ma'am." Han replied to her order, although Zao could tell the soldier wasn't happy about taking such from a politician.

On both carts the handlers had taken up position of taking the helm of the Qiin. Zao climbed on the back of the right side one with Mei and one of the guards following suit. He looked over at the other cart to find Han and the remaining guard mimicking their actions.

Once everybody was aboard, he felt a jolt as the Qiin pulled the cart in response to the call and tap from the reins of its handler. The grinding of the wheel joints gave Zao a moment of uncertainty whether the contraption would remain intact for long. It would've looked bad on the company present if it were to spontaneously collapse. Another complaint he found was the lack of seats. Having to sit his back up against the side with his legs laying out was not his way of a dignified way of travelling.

The loud theatre of chatter echoed all around them as they headed out to the constructed entrance way of the airport. The soldiers standing guard on the ground and a top the concrete wall overshadowing the checkpoint watched on as they passed by. Once they had cleared the area and were several metres away from the Imperial's base, Zao heard the considerably loud groan and screech of the two giant, metallic doors being pulled closed by whatever device they had installed to shut it automatically.

"How does it feel to finally be out from the base?" Mei quizzed him.

"Good. Although I much prefer it to of been under better circumstances. And my own accord." Zao replied with light emphasis on the last part of his sentence.

"All in good time, Captain. I do not wish to spar with you over the rights and wrongs over your stay with us. Tell me, had we not detained you and you had wandered out into the Shang Wastes all alone with no knowledge of the current state of the ruined city, could you say with confidence we'd be speaking right now?"

"I suppose we'll never know." He shrugged. "There are better ways to establish a civil dialogue than at gunpoint."

"True. Answer me this though; if you walked out the harbour, wearing that uniform and ran into an Imperial patrol, do you think they would've cared if you wanted to talk?"

As much as he didn't want to admit she got him, Zao knew her words rang truth. Had he left the Yangtze and gone gallivanting on his lonesome into Shanghai, a bullet or two would've made its way into his person had he not known the hostilities the Hong harboured for anyone wearing a Chinese Communist uniform. Had he by some miracle avoided all Hong presence and found a way across the Huangpu river, there were more unsavoury groups of people roaming the ruins. The accounts of those people he had yet to encounter were based on the words of the Hong, so he took into account this was half right and half biased.

"Another scenario that we will never know of the outcome." Zao stated, rubbing out an itch from his chin.

"A stubborn one, aren't you?" Mei questioned him.

"You would not of gotten far in the Chinese Navy by being weak and relenting."

"There are those on Chongsheng who still remember the PLA's actions against those they viewed as such." Her comment had an underlining of accusation in it that he wasn't in the mood to argue with, especially after losing his cool with Hanwen.

For the remainder of the journey, Zao remained mostly quiet and spent the time thinking to himself, besides answering a few inquiries from the young woman. His focus was drawn to the crumbled wreck all around them on the way to Fangwei's Harbour. Whether she caught on his mind was elsewhere or his answers were not as inclusive as she had liked, he wasn't sure, but she relented with her questioning, allowing silence to descend on the cart. Part of him felt grateful with the lull for the time being.

The roads, much like the runways back the airport, were crumbled and desolate, only there was a much more littered landscape surrounding it. Passing through the Kangqiaozhen and Dongming Residential Districts showed little to no structures that hadn't been affected by the scars of war. Despite the settings there was still life inhabiting the districts. They passed several minor outposts set up by the Hong military, using newly built barricades and towers or using whatever was left over around the roads and streets. Only once had they been stopped by whoever commanded the outpost for a small amount of time for Lieutenant Han and Representative Mei to give their credentials then allowed them passage.

What Zao took note of was the scarce lack of civilians on their route to the Harbour. There had been a few non-military types on the roads, in small settlements that watched in curiosity, suspicion and wonder as to who was passing by. He saw a few children running out from one battered shop pointing and chatting amongst themselves on the Qiin pulling the carts along, only then to be ushered back inside by an adult he presumed to be the caretaker of the young ones. It both pleased him there was children still running around, laughing and smiling, but he also felt pity they were growing up in such a ramshackle environment.

One of which you brought upon, A voice in the back of his mind reminded him for the hundredth time.

Presence of Chinese and American products were all around, of military and civilian nature. A few times the handlers manoeuvred around burnt out husks of cars, but the more domineering feature was the armoured vehicles at long, disused checkpoints. Zao saw an American built six wheeled APC equipped with a 75mm main gun in the turret, staring out into the distance. Skeletal bodies were sprawled out close by still wearing the standard issue uniform of a GI.

Another sight that caught his interest was that on the second to last road to their destination was a Chimera tank parked up on the left hand side path. He had only seen images of the tanks said to of been used during the Anchorage campaign. Powerful and mobile, suitable for the icy landscape of Alaska but he thought it ridiculous to be used in a highly industrialised and urbanised area. Again he found the emblem of the United States Army on their armoured hide as an indication that they were captured and put to use by the capitalists against their creators.

"Here we are." Mei announced as the carts slow down.

"Finally. My legs were begging to fall asleep." The soldier sat next to her complained.

Letting his travelling companions to disembark first, Zao jumped off the cart first feeling his own legs protest at the long period of their inactivity. The second cart trailing to behind their own he saw Han and the soldiers accompanying him mirror their actions. A loud bellow came from the leading Qiin beast as the handler went over to calm the beast down.

"Miss Ling?" A man dressed in a white lab coat and grey pants inquired as he approached.

"Yes?"

"I am research assistant, Piao Tong, attache to Doctor Ruyin. I believe you brought the ship Captain of this vessel with you?" The researcher asked, looking passed her shoulder at Zao.

"Indeed. Captain Zao will deal with the...issue that was raised with us by the good Doctor." She informed the underling.

"Thank goodness. It is bad enough the radiation leakage is preventing us to accurately study this marvellous vessel without having to tread over its deceased crew." Zao eyes hardened into a deathly stare as he bore it into the scientist, who shifted his gaze away from him. "P-perhaps we should move this along quickly. If what Doctor Ruyin claims was a part of the agreement you have with the Captain, then it would be best for it to happen before the fall of night?

"Agreed." She said, turning back to him and the armed escort to go with the assistant.

Zao only half listened to the conversation between Mei and Tong as they entered the harbour. Within the docks he heard the creaking of the floorboards stretching out over the water, the splashing of water as it crashed on to the solid face of the barriers keeping it from submerging the grounds of the mainland. Voices bounced off the walls, along with the high-pitched screeches and whirling of tools going about their jobs of their owners.

To no surprise there was a Hong presence walking the gangways and docks. Armed soldiers patrolled the harbour as workmen fiddled with the few numbers of boats, junks, trawlers and even a small cargo freighter, all of which were still in working order. From his observation of the vessels, many looked as if they've seen better days, and were being repaired and refurbished with whatever was scrounge up or recovered. Some gazed in their direction, curious to the small party waltzing through their workplace.

Amongst the dock workers, Zao spotted the boy of whom was the first person he came across as he landed on true Chinese soil. He gave him a friendly wave and smile. Zao gave a wave in return for the boy's father to notice and pull his son's hand down, chastising him after for doing it.

Upon walking to the end of one dock, one he saw was isolated off and possessed more troops in keeping it that way, he was greeted with a sight that drew his first pleasure filled smile sense stepping off her. The Yangtze was exactly where he had left her and with no visible marks of tampering. The thing that damped that image slightly were the Hong in her vicinity.

"Ah, Representative, Captain. It's good to see you made it here unscathed." Doctor Ruyin welcomed them from the port side hatch.

"Doctor. You got here fast." Mei said as they stopped with

"I got a head start as you gathered the necessities needed." Ruyin said with a grin. "Captain, everything is inside waiting for you."

"Good. I better not find you have been dissecting her." Zao said, hoping they hadn't started stripping her parts and more sensitive equipment out from her hull.

"I can assure you, Captain, the vessel is in the same condition you left it. Nothing has been added or taken out of the submarine." She assured him.

"Corporal, run back to the carts and tell the handlers to bring them closer to the bay." Han ordered his NCO.

"Sir!" He heard the soldier run off back into the docks to carry the Lieutenant's orders.

"After you, Captain." Ruyin indicated her arm to opened hatch.

"Wait, Doctor." Han spoke up, earning looks from all present. "I'm under orders to keep watch on the Captain. I think it best I accompany you in."

"If you must, Lieutenant." The Doctor reluctantly agreed, rolling her eyes at the officer. "Before you do, however, you must take these." She reached into her pocket, taking out a small bottle of pills.

"What are they?" Han inquired with a raise brow.

"Rad-X. They'll keep you resistant to radiation for small periods of time. I must warn you, they don't taste pleasant. I advise taking only two as well." She offered the Hong officer the bottle.

Giving the offered bottle a septic eye, Zao watched the Lieutenant take it with a sigh. He opened up the bottle and gently shook out the red and yellow cylinder shaped pills, staring at the pills with some disgust then threw them in his mouth. The grimace his face twisted into as he digested the American made pills earned a snigger from the Representative.

"Ready?" Zao asked the soldier in amusement, who was still making faces at the taste of the rad blockers.

With a nod and a dry cough as confirmation from his leading escort figure, Zao joined Ruyin in stepping foot into his sub. Almost immediately the sense of home washed over him as he saw the familiar metallic, armoured walls and controls of the Yangtze's Bridge. Sitting at two of the stations on either side were more lab coat wearing scientists typing at the consoles and jotting down notes on their clipboards.

"What are they doing?!" Zao snapped at the Doctor.

"They're only taking information on the functions of each console, Captain, I assure you." Ruyin held her hands up defensively. "If you like I can show what they are researching. All sensitive data is currently, and as you are fully aware, under the protection of whatever safeguards you have put in place." To emphasis her point, he saw her walk over to one of the startled assistants and take their clipboard from the table. "See?"

Zao took the clipboard and quickly skimmed over the handwritten notes the assistant had put down. Bullet points and short summaries of the navigation controls were listed on the paper, along with the technology responsible for its function and possible ways of replication. With a grunt he handed back over to her but remained unhappy with their prodding into his submarine's systems.

"Very well." He said dejectedly, knowing he was powerless from preventing their free reign aboard the Yangtze.

"After you're done with your task, Captain, maybe you can help point out the functions of each console as to avoid an incident between our people?" She asked him.

"An incident with who, Doctor?" Zao quizzed in hollow amusement.

"Oh, right. My apologise. I would take you to the Mess Hall but I know that would be a incredibly foolish thing to do since, well, it's your ship."

"Submarine, Doctor, and thank you." He said then left the Bridge, knowing Han was following closely behind just as he had been doing for the past week.

Going down the stairs leading to the reactor control room he saw more lab coats milling about, toying with the computers then stopping at his sudden appearance. Shaking his head at their desecration, he moved over to the starboard side door entering into the reactor room itself. He glimpsed at the anti rad apparatuses hooked to the reactor core, slowly doing away the harmful radiation seeping out. Suppose in a way he could thank the Hong scientists repairing the damage left over from the leak.

It wasn't until he reached the Mess Hall his ire was replaced with sadness. Stopping in the Mess' doorway he eyed the blanket draped bodies of his crew. Another cough came from Han, although this time Zao knew it was a reaction to the smell their rotting bodies gave out.

"By the Emperor." He heard Han quietly exclaim. "You really intend to carry each one back and bury them, Captain?"

"Yes, Lieutenant. As a fellow officer, you know the responsibilities you have for the men under your command. To see about bringing them home?" Zao asked, keeping his focus on his fallen crew.

"I do, Captain. But I admit I don't think I would be able to go about this kind of dedicated level of duty."

"Lieutenant, you have the honour knowing that if the troops under you command were to die in combat they would be resting in the lands of their forefathers. Contrary to your beliefs, and the Americans before you we fought for our homes and our families, just like you. As I said to your General, my crew did their duty for their Motherland, and their loved ones. We are not the monsters your leaders made us out to be. They were born in China but died in foreign waters. It's only right they are laid to rest in the country they gave their all for."

"I understand, Captain. I do not wish to repeat the argument in the Ambassador's Office." The Lieutenant half joked. "How do we go about this?"

"As you said, we will carry them out to the carts to then have them be transported to an appropriate burial site." Zao instructed.

"Okay. I'll have to get a couple more extra hands to help move the bodies."

"Alright. I'll wait here and begin preparations."

Hearing Han's footsteps clanging off the steel floor, Zao slowly trudged into the room checking over the temporary morgue he had set up. All but one of the blankets were a tattered white sheet he placed on each member. His First Mate, Jian was encased in the Red Flag of their former nation it represented. His heart clenched as he knew this will be the last time any of them will ever be aboard the submarine they served so proudly.

It wasn't long until he heard Han return with extra hands, all of whom wore gloves as measure of catching anything from the bodies. All were Hong soldiers who weren't overly eager to go about the duty of carrying the deceased out but Zao didn't pay heed to their opinions. He chose first to carry Jian out first, seeing as he doubted any of the soldiers would touch the flag they grew up to hate.

Outside he found there was a pallet truck attached to a wide, wheeled table waiting. Mei explained it was borrowed from the dock workers to help speed up carrying them over to the carts. It took three trips to carts to go and then come back for them all to be respectfully piled up, to the gathered crowds of the dock workers more interested in what they were doing than their own jobs.

After the last of his crew was placed on the carts all but two of the soldiers dispersed back to the harbour. Zao wanted to thank them all but something told him they wouldn't of cared much.

"Captain, I may have a decent burial and appropriate site for your crew." Han told him.

"Oh, where?" Zao asked.

"I heard from some of the dock workers that there is an abandoned park not too far from here." He explained pointing in the direction further north from the harbour.

"Ah, is there a reason this park is abandoned?"

"They say the place has been picked clean of all useful scrap and has barely any buildings in that location for anyone to set up shop." The Hong officer informed him. For a moment the young soldier appeared conflicted over something then came out with what had him troubled. "Captain, I know you wanted to bury your men, but do you think it perhaps wise to give them a better send of?" Han asked.

"What do you mean?" Zao questioned him with a narrow brow.

"Is it not the old Chinese way to cremate their dead, sir?" He elaborated.

"You want me to burn them?"

"Captain, with all due respect, is it not the more traditional and safeguarding way from grave robbers and wildlife that their remains stay undisturbed?"

Anger swelled up within him over the suggestion but the more rational side knew Han had a point. The thought of lowlife scavengers digging them up or mongrels searching for an easy meal didn't sit right with him.

"Okay. We'll go with the cremation." He answered with a heavy heart.

"I'll see about arranging the preparations. I'm certain the harbour has exactly what we need."

"Very good. Afterwards as you have everything we need, I guess that means you take point." Zao said climbing aboard the front seat of the second cart, ignoring the uncomfortable posture of the handler at sitting next to a 'zombie devil'.

Zao sat quietly as Han ordered his men to scavenge off the dock workers fuel and wood needed for a funeral pyre. Half an hour passed when a smaller cart was wheeled out and locked to the back of the large one he resided on.

A quick tap from the riding crop of the handler sent the Qiin on their way. On the change of journey, Zao felt more sorrow as each step they rode to this location Han had received off the dock men will be his last with his crew, as well as it being their last ever trip. Memories flooded in over all their faces. Each of their names and roles on the Yangtze. The day he was given command of the submarine and all of them assigned to his command. The battles they fought and the many close encounters with the capitalist nations naval forces.

They all ate together. They faced off against Death together. They all pulled together to do their duty to China, so they can be with their loved ones again and do them all proud. And now he was prepared to do his crew one final duty.

Through his mulling he hadn't taken notice of the Qiin slowing down then halting altogether to the grunts and bellows of the beasts. Disembarking off the landscape was indeed how Han had told him. The murky mis-colour of green and brown grass took up the majority of the grounds with a few empty tents, and an old wooden hut that had collapsed. The park that had once so long ago had children and their parents playing and laughing had all its swings and play huts dismantled for its metal.

"You two, collect the wood. Corporal, you and I will help the Captain place the bodies on the pyre.

"Yes, sir!"

Zao joined the rest in building the pyre, spreading it out enough for all his crew to rest upon it. The skies of day were slowly drifting to the replacement of night by the time the pyre was complete. Fixed and strongly assembled, he was the first to put a former member of the Yangtze on the wooden blanks. By the time all were carefully placed the cold wind of evening breezed on his face, much like earlier only it held a different meaning that reflected the mood.

The sound of crackling and the scent of burning filled his nostrils as fire lit torch was handed to him.

"Captain." Han offered the torch.

"Thank you, Lieutenant... for everything." Zao said with a small grin, doing his best to put as much gratitude in it as possible.

"It is no problem, sir. We will leave you to pay respects to your men." He nodded with an expression of sympathy before ordering the soldiers to follow him away from the pyre.

Zao stared at the pyre for a moment, unmoving and blank in mind. The torch's heat glared on to the skin of his face but he didn't care. Time lacked meaning as the skies shade of blue darkened in tone and the moon became more apparent as it took over its role from the sun.

"Well, I did it. I fulfilled my promise to you and got you home. You'll have to forgive the changes of our homeland. It seems the universe has chosen a different kind of challenge to throw upon China. It's rough and difficult I won't lie to you... but it never stopped us from achieving our goals. You did everything that was asked of you and more, " Zao felt a lump in his throat begin to form as he continued on with his 'debriefing'. "China could not ask for a more loyal, more determined and stronger bunch of people it would be proud and honoured to call its servicemen and women. I will carry out our duty in defending the motherland. For you it is time to show that same passion, that same connection and honour with our ancestors. One day I shall join you. But for now I will help rebuild China to fit into the new world, with your voices and wise council to guide me. Onward, for a new duty awaits you all. As one last order for as your Captain, I command you rest and be at peace, old friends."

Stepping forward with heavy steps, Zao placed the torch at the end of the pyre and watched on as it engulfed the wood and crew. The flames soon flickered all over the dead, burning both cloth and flesh as it sent them to their new destination to the afterlife. With one last look at the men and women he saw more than just servicemen and subordinates but as a close nit family, he turned away to allow the flame to complete its job in peace.

The last mortal traces of his old life were soon to be ashes. Tears ran down his face as he silently sobbed. Past those tears, Zao was more determined than ever to carry out his new mission.

He had to. For his crew. For his family.

))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))