Free The Call of the Thunder Dragon by Michael J Wormald

officer calling to the
Captain, stood in a separate group with his three colleagues. They
were dressed in dark civilian suits. The young Captain quickly but
politely approached with a bow. He waited patiently. The older man
was out of breath, panting and perspiring heavily.
    “Your men can run at quite a pace
Captain Soujiro! You are to be commended for your discipline! What
is it you have seen?”
    “It is the Caproni aircraft of
the Italian, Haga-sensei 8 ,” Soujiro answered. He
admired the elder man, Colonel Haga-Jin. The Imperial Japanese Army
Intelligence officer who was in charge of intelligence for Pu’er.
Gathering reports to assist in the subduing of the Chinese
population in the Simao area. A superior to whose status and rank
he aspired. It was his agents that had provided the perfect details
of the airfield and all the aircraft in the area before the bombing
raid.
    Colonel Haga-Jin was ruthlessly
efficient. His agents in Pu’er had learnt of the preparation and
building of the airstrip. They had been ready to smash it the very
day it was due to become operational.
    “We just had news that the
Caproni had been shot down. The Italian may not be fighting with
the nationalists yet… But he is vulnerable! In debt, he may be
tempted to join General Chiang Kai-Shek’s forces? The report
specifically said the pilot was likely to have been injured in
their attack. However, some other pilot may be with him. Either way
the pilots and the plane must be destroyed understand?”
    Captain Soujiro nodded. It would
follow these instructions to the letter, even if it meant the death
of his men or himself.
    Colonel Haga-Jin turned to the
agents behind them. “We will accompany you, with five of your best
men. The rest should split up into two groups then head North.
There are two rendezvous setup for noon with collaborators in the
village. Your men will find my agents there. Destroy all equipment
found. Kill the nationalists and any other foreign pilots that may
have survived this morning’s raid!”
    “I expect that in two days you
will have been successful and we can regroup to radio and fly off
the far shore of Lake Meizihu.”
    “As arranged Haga-Dono!” Captain
Soujiro turned and gave instructions to his men. One by one, they
filtered back into the trees.
    Captain Soujiro remained with his
picked men. Waiting while Colonel Haga-Jin conferred with his three
cohorts.
    “Captain, where is in the
container with my uniform and sword?”
    “Hai, My lieutenant, carries them
for the Colonel!” He pointed to the largest man in the group.
    Lieutenant Goemon bowed. “It is
an honour Colonel Haga-Jin. I will guard your sword with my
life.”
    He held up the khaki green tube
in which the precious sword had been stored during the parachute
drop.
    The colonel nodded, seeming
satisfied. The lieutenant was a stalwart soldier, a career
professional.
    “Take care of the sword and my
things lieutenant. I would not want to lose my soul. Keep them safe
until I might need them. After living among those peasant farmers
for a month, it will be good to be back in uniform! But first my
agents will search the town below! Captain? Are you ready?”
Haga-Jin’s cold black eyes fixed on him.
    “Hai, immediately!” The Captain
bowed.
    They moved with enthusiastic
efficiency typical of the brutal Japanese military, filtering south
through the trees and then down onto the terraces of tea
bushes.
     
    The lake was a tree-shrouded
mirror, its frame burnished with golden sand. Falstaff had taken
the aircraft slowly through its paces. It was a gentle giant. A
fast climber, easy to turn, but difficult to control in a bank. The
lake had been perfect for their landing. The floats cut the still
water surface gliding them into the North Eastern shore. There was
a beautiful wide cobbled avenue leading to the town surrounded by
trees. The avenue led up into the market town where lines of stalls
stood, flanked hotels.
    The plane had been pulled up