I do not own Highschool of the DEAD or its characters.
I also do not own the British and US Marine characters in this chapter. They are the property of MarshalZhukov and are from her wonderful New DEADs Order story as well as several of her long running British Marines series. I thank her for the loan of them.
Updated: 10/19/13
Morning found them parked on the side of the highway with everyone sleeping restlessly in the vehicles. With the gulf to the east, and open countryside to the west, they had clear fields of vision in the morning light. There were undead around, but since the convoy was quiet, They were not bothering them.
Tomasa sat on top of Stryker 1 as the first rays of sunshine climbed over the horizon behind him. "Beautiful," he said as he leaned over and called into the APC. "Hey! Everyone come up top and look at this!"
A minute later the crew were either standing in the hatches or sitting on the deck next to him. He keyed his throat mic, "Everyone take a look to the west. It's not often you can see it this clear from here."
In the distance, the sunlight was exposing a true symbol of Japan, Mount Fuji in all its majestic glory, the snow on its peak blinding in the morning light.
Looking sunward behind him, Kohta paused for a second, "Hey everyone, look at this!"
Turning east they saw a second symbol, the rising sun climbing quickly from the waves to warm the earth for the new day.
"Two strong symbols at once," Saeko said as she leaned against Takashi. "I feel this is a good omen."
"This is still our world," Tomasa said. "I am not going to let Them take it from us."
"So say we all!" exclaimed Kohta.
"So say we all!" The rest echoed.
Suddenly there was a slapping sound in the air. Kohta grabbed his binoculars and turned toward the south. Focusing, he saw two insect like specks growing larger as they came towards him. "Choppers! Apache attack helos inbound and coming fast!" he cried out.
Tomasa reached in and turned on the vehicle radio. It snapped and crackled a second before they heard, "I say again, this is Cowboy 1 calling convoy on the coast road, please identify yourself! Over."
"Everyone wave at the choppers nice and friendly like! I don't want them getting trigger happy on us!" Tomasa called. He picked up the handheld mic and replied, "Cowboy 1, Cowboy 1, this is Prefecture Police convoy, code name Sakura. Repeat, Prefecture Police convoy, code name Sakura. How do you read, over?"
"Read you 5 by 5 Sakura! Well there you folks are! We been keeping an eye out for you! Over." They heard in what would have to be called a Texas drawl from the radio. The Apache's rushed overhead and the lead turned back as the trailing one climbed high and started to orbit. The lead chopper stopped, facing them and began to slide walk sideways, up the east side of the convoy from rear to front, the rising sun glowing behind it.
"That is so freaking cool!" Kohta exclaimed as he started to geek out.
The others laughed as Saya whapped him in the back of the head and yelled, "Focus baka!"
"Sure looks like you got a lotta loot and an interesting crew with you! That pink-haired one seems feisty for sure! Over." the speaker said as they stopped and hung in the air next to the Stryker. Saya glared at the pilot and then blushed as Kohta put his arm around her and laughed.
The man in the front seat smiled and waved as Tomasa said, "They're a damn good crew and I'm glad to have them! Over."
"Well anyway it's good to talk to you, but you've got about a hundred klicks to go before you get home. We're gonna be on patrol in the area so if you need us, call us. Be aware, when you get further south, there are fast movers in the area dropping hot, heavy stuff, so don't wander into any of that. The road to the south is reasonably clear so if you hump it you should make base around lunch if not long after, over."
"Roger Cowboy 1. We'll get started right now. Good luck and stay safe. Over and out."
"You too Sakura, keep the pedal to the metal and yo' butt between the ditches. See you sometime! We gone now, bye, bye!" The Apache suddenly fell off to its right side and raced away north with Cowboy 2 diving down to get in formation behind it.
"Shit, I have got to get me one of those!" Takashi said as Saeko laughed and Saya face palmed herself.
"Oh god not him too!" the pink-haired genius muttered.
Everyone laughed as Tomasa called out on the radio, "Fire'em up and move'em out!"
000
The rest of the trip went fast as they raced down the coast. Once they got south of Kawazu, they were called by HQ and given a set of GPS coordinates which Saya punched into the laptop. After finding a reference point for where they currently were, she called out turns to Toda as they left the main highway and climbed the hills into the countryside.
Just as they turned off the main road they heard the sound of jet engines in the distance. Kohta and Tomasa scanned with their binoculars until finally Kohta called out, "Got'em! To the southeast down low over the water!"
As they watched, two fighter jets raced inland and dropped what seemed like sticks as they crossed over the beach. There was thunder of explosions as rolling flame roared to the sky.
"Holy crap!" Kohta said as the jets climbed out and turned south leaving boiling smoke and flames behind them.
Saya, stuck her head up beside him, asked, "What was that!"
"Looks like napalm," Tomasa said. "It's jellied gasoline that once it starts to burn it doesn't go out and sticks to whatever it touches. It has to burn out to go away."
"Why are they using that?" Saya asked.
Thinking a minute Kohta replied, "I bet they're luring large numbers of undead into an open area and then dumping it on them."
Having already seen Them burn before, Saya thought about this and then nodded before dropping back down inside the cabin.
They climbed from the coast road up into the hills outside of Shirahama. Tomasa had everyone standing in the hatches watching, because the roads were getting narrow, and trees were overhanging low. There were zeds around, but except for the ones attracted by the passing of the convoy, they were all heading toward the coast. With good reason, They were being attracted by the sounds of noisemakers the convoy crew could hear even over their own engines. Sirens, horns and klaxons called the undead to their doom at the hands of the combined armed forces.
Once they surmounted a hilltop, they were told to hold position where they could see a huge gathering of undead in a field surrounding one of the noisemakers.
"What is that thing?" Takashi called out at a huge, low flying prop driven airplane as it orbited in a wide, flat circle, around the field.
Before anyone could answer, there was a buzzing roar as the aircraft opened fire and churned the ground in a 100 by 100 meter swath. It only took seconds before the aircraft turned away leaving nothing but a dirty, bloody mist hanging over the field.
Kohta turned pale as he lowered his binoculars. Looking at Tomasa he said, "I…I can't even imagine being on the receiving end of something like that."
Tomasa shook his head, "They're really expending a lot of ammo and fuel for this. I don't know when or how they're going to be able to replace it."
"But what was that thing?" Rei asked, parroting Takashi.
"That was an AC-130 gunship," Tomasa explained. "In the biz, it's called a Spectre."
"And for very good reason," Saya said, dry mouthed. "Did you see what it did in just a few seconds? Like the God of Death itself."
A minute later they were cleared to proceed as they saw Cowboy flight passing over, heading back south. A few more bends and several hills later they came out of the trees on top of another hill to see a small community lining the road. They rolled down hill to stop at what seemed to be a hand operated drawbridge manned by two American soldiers. As the soldiers lowered the bridge, Kohta noticed two more drawbridges on the road, crossing over three meter wide by three meter deep ditches that looked like they had just been dug. He looked to both sides as they crossed and the ditches stretched as far as he could see in both directions.
"Great idea for a layered defense!" Tomasa told him and Takashi, who had rejoined them on top.
They moved up the road in front of the buildings till a soldier waved for them to stop. "All stop and shut them down," Tomasa called out on the radio. "Everyone stay in the vehicles until I say otherwise. We will probably have to submit to a bite search before anything else. Sarge, come forward and join me, looks like the welcome wagon is here," as several people in different types of uniforms walked up.
After Tomasa dismounted, Kohta moved to the commander's hatch just in case. He and Takashi watched as the LT and Rika submitted to a courtesy bite search and then, after saluting, started shaking hands with the different soldiers.
"What types of guns are those Kohta?" Takashi asked pointing to the odd looking rifles slung on the backs of several of the greeters.
Kohta concentrated on them for a moment and then replied, "They look like British L85 assault rifles. The green beret…Oh wow! I think those guys are British Marines!" Looking closer he said, "But the woman with them is a US Marine. I'm not sure about the blond man in the middle, though."
000
"Before we start all the pleasantries, please hold your arms out from your sides and submit to a wounds check," one of the men in green camo told them. He waved two soldiers standing to the side forward.
Tomasa and Rika both stopped and complied as the two, who were dressed the same as the first, walked around them checking.
"All clear Corporow," one of the men said with a thick accent.
The five greeters now stood at attention and saluted Tomasa and Rika. Once they had saluted back, the taller man spoke up again, "Welcome! I'm Corporal JD Davis of Her Britannic Majesty's Royal Marines." He gestured to the female soldier, "This is Sergeant Mary Sakamoto, United States Marines and Sergeant Shaun Phillips, Corps of Royal Engineers." Gesturing towards the other two soldiers, who had done the inspection, "Lance Corporal Shaun Edmonds and Private Benjamin Sharpe, from my detachment."
Tomasa smiled in return and spoke in English, "I'm Lieutenant Kaoru Tomasa of the Prefecture police Special Assault Team. This is my chief Sergeant Rika Minami."
"That will make you the new camp commander then, sir," Sakamoto said. "As soon as we can get your people checked in and settled, Phillips, Davis and I will bring you up to date on what we're doing and how far along we are."
Tomasa nodded, "Well then let's get that out of the way. We haven't eaten yet so I would like to get the team fed before any briefing." He reached for his throat mic, "Paddy, open up Stryker 1 and bring everyone out to submit to a wound search. All other vehicles, stay mounted until the inspection team gets to you."
The ramp slowly dropped and Paddy came out, followed by the girls with Takashi, Kohta and Toda bringing up the rear. They stood in the road with their arms out as Edmonds and Sharpe walked around and completed an inspection of each. The pair of men stopped and looked at each other as they came to the three girls. Saeko was in her mini-skirt outfit, Rei was wearing her school uniform and Saya had on her school blouse over black cargo pants. Not saying anything, the soldiers completed their task and moved on to the crew of the next truck.
"I wonder what that was about," Saya said as the group stood together, awaiting further instructions, as Shizuka, Alice, the Dean family and Zeke came forward from Stryker 2 to join them.
"What do you mean?" Takashi asked.
"When they saw us, they paused and looked at each other like they were surprised," Rei said.
Takashi shrugged his shoulders, "Three beautiful girls loaded down with weapons might surprise a lot of people."
Saeko shook her head, "No, it was something more than that. It was like they had seen something before and were confirming with each other that they were both seeing it."
"Let's all be on our toes then. While I don't think there is any danger, is does not hurt to be aware," Paddy said.
The others nodded as the inspection team started back down the line of trucks.
000
Tomasa had called everyone together, "There is a mess hall set up in the blue building over here. Everyone leave their rifles and shotguns in the vehicles but keep your pistols, and of course your sword Busujima-san, on your person at all times. While the danger is low, the defenses are not quite finished yet and the possibility does exist that They could get in, in small numbers. Don't go anywhere in groups of less than two. Now let's all get something to eat."
The three Royal Marines held back as everyone else filed into the mess hall. "Do you see what I mean Corporal? That is the same uniform, innit?" Sharpe said as they watched the teenage girls.
Davis nodded, "I think you're right. Have you said anything to Sergeant Phillips yet?"
"No," Edmonds replied. "We wanted to make sure first."
Nodding again, Davis started forward, "Well one sure way to find out is to ask."
000
The teens were in heaven. The lunch laid out was a smorgasbord of western foods. Hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages, French fries, potato chips, chili and all the fixings. Kohta was trying for one of everything with Saya coming behind him and making him put back half of what he took. "You can get more if you're really still hungry!" she fussed as he stopped for the piece-de-resistance, brown gravy on his fries.
"NO!" he exclaimed as Saya started in on him. "I found out about this when I was in America at the shooting school! I'm putting my foot down on this one, Saya!"
"How the hell can that be good for you Kohta?" she fussed as they sat down at a long table with chairs.
"Don't knock it till you've tried it!" the boy said as he stabbed a fry with his fork and held it out to her.
Her face wrinkled up at first, but then she leaned over and took it in her mouth. Chewing for a moment she at first looked thoughtful and then surprised. "Gimme another one," she said. She chewed on it and then turned to him, "It's like mashed potatoes and gravy, but the crunchiness of the French fry adds something to it that I can't describe!"
Kohta nodded as Paddy sat down across from him with his fries covered the same way. "See Paddy knows about this!" Kohta said as he pointed.
"What? Brown gravy on fries? I was stationed in Texas, gravy is a food group down there," Paddy remarked as the others laughed. "The first time I had them was on an open-faced roast beef sandwich. They put two pieces of bread on the plate and then pile a heap of sliced roast beef on top. Surround the whole thing with fries and coat it all with brown gravy!"
Everyone had just started to eat as the three Royal Marines walked up to the table.
Looking up at them Takashi asked, "Is there something we can do for you… Corporal Davis?" Takashi noticed Saeko's hand had slipped below the table to the hilt of her sword.
Davis nodded to everyone, "Please excuse our interrupting your meal, but I just wanted to ask a question. The school uniform tops you ladies have on, what school are they from?"
"Fujimi Academy," Saeko answered softly. "Are you familiar with this uniform, Corporal?"
"See! We told you!" Sharpe said as Davis bowed slightly to her with a smile.
"Yes ma'am, we are. We have two young friends that when they first showed up at the British Embassy, were wearing those uniforms."
All the teens froze at this statement. "May I ask the names of these friends?" Saeko asked warily.
"Alex Schweiger and Misa Kinoshita," he replied.
Rei looked up at Davis, "Kinoshita-san is alive! She was in the spear club with me! You remember her don't you, Saya? Really good at chemistry and math."
Saya nodded, "Yes I do. First year, right? Kept to herself a lot? But I'm not sure I know the other one."
"Sure you do, Saya," Takashi said, "She was the tall, half-American girl that started school last year."
"Oh yeah! I remember her now!" Kohta said as Saya nodded, "She was in the aikido club if I remember right. Not too bad with a jo or bokken. Do you remember her Saeko-san?"
Saeko was looking thoughtful, "I believe I do." Her hand moved back onto the table. "I think I watched her in a match or two at some of the martial arts meets I attended. She was fair with a bokken and could have been very good if she concentrated on it more. So Corporal Davis, where are they currently?"
"Back at the settlement on Ikeijima with Sergeant Phillips's wife. Oddly enough he is their official guardian now. I'm sure he would be happy to hear some more of their classmates made it."
Takashi's eyes narrowed, "What do you mean by 'more', Corporal?"
Scratching the back of his head Davis said, "Well, back at the Haneda airport rally, there was this other group of Fujimi students with this strange teacher…Shido, was it?"
Rei's head snapped around. "Shido! Is that bastard still alive?" she snarled.
Davis almost took a step back at the viciousness of her voice, "Um, yes ma'am, as of the last time we saw him he was, but to be honest though, he was under arrest and being transported to Okinawa for investigation and maybe trial for murder."
"Huuuuh!" several of the teens exclaimed as they heard this.
Davis nodded, "In fact it was Miss Schweiger and Miss Kinoshita that swore out the complaint on him. They said they saw him kick a student in the face and leave him to the undead so he could escape to a bus that was getting away. It was all that Sergeant Major Blake, Sergeant White and another Marine could do to keep her from killing him right there." He shook his head, "It was a near thing too, that girl's quite strong!"
Kohta put down the hamburger he was eating and when Saya looked at him he said, "I'm not hungry anymore…"
Davis looked at them with a puzzled face. Takashi cleared his throat, "Ah, we were on that bus. Rei didn't want to let him on, but I insisted. If we had known or seen what he did…well he would have not gotten on."
"I had the chance to kill him at Saya's house, but decided he was not worth it," Rei said.
"I shot him in the cheek with a nail gun when he tried to stop Marikawa-sensei from getting off the bus with us. I should have ended him then," Kohta grumped.
Davis and the others looked at them openmouthed as they wondered just what these kids had been through since Z-Day.
"He was a rather rum bugger," Sharpe added. "Once Miss Schweiger and Miss Kinoshita leveled their complaint, we had him turfed out on the next opportunity."
"Rum bugger?" Kohta asked. "Turfed out?"
"Sorry," Davis apologized. "English colloquialisms. A 'rum bugger' is a person of very questionable morals and ethics while 'turfing ' means to turn out or get rid of."
Kohta nodded, "Thanks."
"Where is he now?" Saya asked.
Davis offered a winning smile before leaning in close. "The Americans have him," he whispered. "The captain of the Ark Royal wanted him and his cult off Ikei. Bundled them in with Takagi Souichirou and his wife since the Japanese government in exile wanted to question him."
Saya nearly choked on her fry's, "Ta-Takagi Souichirou? You have my parents?"
The Royal Marines all stepped back a pace. "Your parents?" Edmonds asked.
"Where are they?" Saya demanded as she jumped from her seat. "Where are my mama and papa? I was told they were holding the dam at Okunako!"
"On Okinawa with US forces last we heard," Davis said. "As I mentioned, the government in exile wanted to speak to them, about what I don't know."
"Then they are alive and safe," Saya broke into tears. Instantly Kohta was by her side offering arms of comfort.
Hoping to change the subject Davis cleared his throat. "So…how did you lot get mixed up with a SAT convoy?"
Takashi looked around, "Ah, please pull up a chair, gentlemen, and I'll explain."
Taking Takashi's advice they found seats before he started, "Well we had been drifting from place to place trying to stay alive and safe. We had holed up in a house while Kohta healed from a wound he had gotten fighting Them and we had gone out for supplies. We got caught in that earthquake a few days ago and had to fight a large group of Them afterwards. How many was it Kohta?"
Thinking a second Kohta said, "About 65 or 70 I believe."
Takashi nodded, "Almost more than we could handle and were about to go down when a sniper started shooting down on us, helping us out." He pointed over where Rika and Tomasa sat talking with the other sergeants, "It was Sergeant Minami. She had been out looking for her friend Marikawa-sensei who was with us. Once we finished off the zeds and got home, she called in and a few days later set up a way for us to get extracted. For the last week we have been fighting undead, marauders, weather, and even came upon a tank, all the while gathering supplies and traveling south to get here."
"How did you survive all this time? Luck or did you have some kind of training?" Sharpe asked.
Takashi shrugged, "I'm sure luck had a lot to do with it, but I have to credit our strongest fighters. Kohta is a gun otaku and our long range shooter. Saeko is a sword master on par with the samurai of old and Rei is a spear/bayonet specialist. Saya is supply and logistics plus not too bad with an MP5 and I've gotten pretty good with my shotgun."
"Plus Takashi is our leader," Saeko injected. "Without him keeping us moving we might have given up long ago."
Takashi blushed, "Anyway, Lieutenant Tomasa liked what he saw in us, so he has asked us to join the team on a full time basis. It's just a matter of us voting on it and making it formal now."
"And any other stories can wait till later, right now I need everyone to finish up and let's get this teenage cadet review organized," Rika said as she walked up. "Saya, there is a building next door that can start out being your supply warehouse for now. Decide how you want to lay it out so you can issue supplies when needed and we'll get the whole team moving stuff in as fast as possible."
Saya looked up, her eyes boring into the woman's, "You and I also need to have a private chat, Rika."
Rika's eyebrow when up at this and she glanced around the table. She saw Takashi shake his head slightly so she only said, "Alright Takagi-san, whenever you're ready."
Everyone stood up and the teenagers bowed to the Marines and promised to talk more at a later time. As they filed out the door, Davis stood beside Rika and hummed to himself.
"Questions Corporal?" Rika asked.
Davis looked at her for a second, "Are they really that good, Sergeant? I've seen a lot of things since this started, but I think this tops them all."
"Well you know what kind of training the SAT goes through don't you?"
He nodded.
"I'll put it like this," she said as she smiled. "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, because with that team at my back, I ain't scared of a single mutherfucker in the valley!"
Edmonds and Sharpe roared with laughter as she walked out the door behind her kids leaving Davis stunned.
A/N: Home at last? How will our group do at settling down? What will Saya learn about the fate of her parents and just how does Saeko's father fit into all this? Please leave a Review and/or Favorite! Chapter 19 is in progress.