Chapter 7-3: Neglected Motion - Neutral Parties

Peter- Hawaiian Resistance- Day 70

            The Island of Hawaii was a beast no amount of shelling could tame. The Chinese, or, as the Faction overseers commonly reminded their foot soldiers, the Japanese, forces refused to give up a single inch of shoreline in the days following the initial bombardment. The only chance at victory before Chinese reinforcements arrived was the Faction Admiral’s risky four-day invasion plan. Regardless of Anning’s obvious disdain for the old fisherman, the orders stood.

            “Hey, Belgian get over here,” a Faction private yelled, holding a chain of fifty caliber rounds in his hands.

            “Get one of your own guys to help you, we’re here for defense, not murder,” Peter yelled in response.

            Peter was one of those who took offense to the Faction men’s terminology. He had never chosen to fight for their side, and, had he been living on the mainland, these traitors would be poised in his sights. He made sure the local crews knew it, too. The Faction unit chuckled before the private shouted back.

            “Don’t worry, kid. Next time you get put in concentration, we’ll be the jailers.”

            A second terrorist joined the private and helped him to load the rounds into the turret of their jury-rigged “gunbed” truck.

            “Don’t worry, Peter,” a male voice whispered from behind him, “once we push out the foreigners, we’ll be ready to deal with the traitors.”

            The man was gone by the time Peter turned.

            “All non-Faction units report to your stations for briefing,” the loudspeakers of the schoolyard staging area blared. In the next days, Peter knew they would lose their home. They had only to decide who to let steal it.