Chapter 24 March 16th A Day for Ceasefire (1/2)
Tyne returned to Eiji occasionally and briefly to give him updates of America's winnings; nothing that would be considered meaningful intelligence, but it was enough to show Eiji his place in the war.
Another form of psychological warfare Eiji had presumed. Especially when it was clear that his country had no recourse for success.
The foreign forces relentlessly attacked the island with greater firepower, rolling in reinforcements day in and day out. Eiji's fellow soldiers were being forced deeper into the tunnels and caves towards the north-west. He cringed as he recalled his brief experience in them; those tunnels were dry, stuffy and unforgiving terrain. He was worried his people wouldn't be able to survive a siege.
He was finally let out of the office prison by two young US soldiers who threatened to harm Tama if he so much as tried to escape. For Tama's sake, he complied.
”Stay with me Tama.” He pleaded to the cat in his own language when she was secured within his shirt.
He held her tight as they stepped outside and headed down a dirt slop towards enemy tents pitched on cleared ground next to their landed planes. Hot gusty winds whipped their skin as they trudged through ash-soil to enter the military camp. The soldier escorts pressed the muzzle of their rifles hard into his sides as he walked their pace towards a large tent set farthest from the air strip.
He kept his face expressionless and posture strong as he copped vehement and filthy stares from all the foreign soldiers he passed.
”Bloody Jap! Rot in hell you bastard!” A solider shouted and spat at his face.
This outburst initiated a frenzy of cat calls and abusive attention that his escorts were not bothering to protect him from. Eiji kept his cool and protection over Tama as the men shoved and punched him, allowing their emotions to override their composure. His only thought was to make sure the innocent kitten wasn't being hurt.
”STAND DOWN SOLDIERS! STAND DOWN NOW!” Tyne's voice bellowed over the frenzied crowd as he pushed his way towards Eiji and dragged him away from the excited mob.
”ALL OF YOU ARE ON DUTY RIGHT NOW! YOU HAVE TEN MINUTES TO GEAR UP OR FACE DISCIPLINARY ACTION!” He shouted to the men again that dispersed the crowd with a heavy grumble and crude accusations of Tyne being a 'yellow loving bastard'.
Eiji checked on Tama and sighed when he saw her wide eyes looking back at him from within his shirt. Her body was trembling unharmed. The experience had left her too scared to move.
”Is Tama okay?” Tyne whispered.
Eiji nodded.
Tyne sighed with relief and offered his apologises.
”What do you expect when dangle bait before sharks?” Eiji growled at Tyne as he reclaimed some of his strength with a few deep breaths.
He dropped his annoyance with a sigh, ignoring his fresh pains and focused his attention on Tama who was gradually relaxing.
The men walked in silence to the tent flapping in the acrid winds. Distant sounds of sporadic explosions and rapid firing surrounded them. A stench of gasoline from the roaming G503 off-road jeeps, fresh iron fillings and sweat wafted up Eiji's nose as he neared the tent's opening. His heart raced with longing as he looked toward the flashing lights and smoke rising from the high terrain in the distance.
”This is the POW?” An firm voice intruded on his thoughts.
”Major Schmidt.” Tyne saluted a hardened middle-aged soldier of rank.
The man's stiff peak cap bore the insignia of a US army major. He stood out with his pristine khaki uniform button tight over his lean torso. His boots looked way too clean to have suffered some heavy ground. Eiji suspected the man was a recent arrival from a reinforcement convoy.
”We've taken control of the bases, but General Kuribayashi continues to hold out underground. Even with their surprise attacks on us, they're not able to gain ground. They're running out of firepower. I don't see them holding out much longer. Now is the time for a ceasefire negotiation.” Tyne soberly reported.
Major Schimdt coolly sized up Eiji to determine what type of threat he would end up being to them. ”I'm taking a risk here Lieutenant. You think these Japs will surrender?”