Free Planet Genocide I (Galaxies Collide Book 3) by Andrew McGregor Page A

from the auction halls as they deposited the numerous fish stocks for sale. Situated near the edge of Tokyo Bay at the entrance to the Sumida River, the market was the largest in the world.
    The resilient Japanese fish mongers and auctioneers were of a respected profession, their knowledge of the finest fish and negotiating skills renowned across the industry as some of the finest fish were traded daily. Slicing the speciality sushi fish in bulk for restaurants and local cafes, many tourists were permitted to visit the vast market in the later hours to witness and sample the exclusive dishes fresh from the auction halls.
    This morning was like no other, the auctioneers barking the bids for specific fish stocks, the prospective customers able to sample small cuts provided by the knife wielding professionals, their specialist tools some of the sharpest and most desired in the industry.
     
    On the opposite sea wall of a side waterway, Naomitsu Kanaya stared out longingly over the water, the slim sixteen-year-old keen to follow in his father’s footsteps and pursue a career in the fish market. Every day, he would rise early and come to the waterfront to watch the small boats unload their catches, many speeding in from the industrial sized trawlers out in the Sea of Japan to deposit large and exclusive catches for auction in the heavily populated halls.
    This day had been different, with only a few small boats, the teenager considering that they perhaps were delivering somewhere else, that maybe a new dock had been opened without his knowledge. He had watched, braced against the cold as silhouetted figures had stood on the quay opposite, the lights from the halls and preparation areas sparkling across the waves distracting him from the distant concern on the auctioneers faces.
    The market supervisors had decided to continue with a smaller auction, utilising the large catches from the previous day to fill the halls and advising the many customers that the freshest catch was yet to come, that storms at sea having delayed most of the daily delivery.
    A quiet and studious boy, Nao made friends with difficulty, his shy and reserved nature proving difficult to penetrate by his schoolmates as he dreamed in class of the market and the intoxicating bustle. On selected days his father would allow him to accompany him to work, seeking permission from the school that had long given up on persuading him of a different future, the sympathetic schoolmaster permitting the visits, albeit receiving in return a complimentary feast each week of the finest offcuts.
    The boy was frustrated this day, knowing the sea breeze would prevent him from hearing much of the auctioneers shouting and calling, his heavy jacket pulled up round his ears as he shivered. Perhaps this morning was one to spend with his mother before going to school, assisting her in the kitchen in the preparation of breakfast, his stomach rumbling for the Miso soup and grilled fish he loved so much.
    He stared longingly one last time across the water, hearing it lap against the sea walls as he reluctantly turned slowly from his vantage point, walking slowly towards the bicycle propped against the railings further to his left.
    Nao glanced back one more time, stepping forward in curiosity as he saw the ripples through the dark water, the waves breaking as the sea sounds changed, a faint clicking and grinding coming from the darkness. He strained his eyes as figures seemed to climb from the water opposite, the first silhouettes dropping to a crouch in seeming caution as more and more bodies clambered from the darkness.
    Then he sucked the cold air in, the figures seeming to brandish weapons and blades as the loading bay opposite filled with black muscular frames. He stepped forward in suspicion, staring down into the water as shapes swept past through the waves, numerous objects breaking the surface as they seemed to continue past the market and towards the exclusive riverside areas