✽ ✽ ✽
Completing their patrol an hour and a half later, they only stopped four civilians in total. As they approached the checkpoint, Yuuto noticed that two trucks parked along the road, and the rest of their squad was unloading what they presumed was the manifest of supplies. They had already blocked the intersection off, erecting a massive tent. Most of the soldiers were still constructing metal barricades to form lines so people could pass through the screening process before being released.
Daichi was supervising the layout and construction of the checkpoint, while the rest of the men did the work. Yuuto was not surprised by this, quickly rolling his eyes. They approached Daichi together, and he didn’t take notice of them until he was done reading over the papers he had attached to a metal clipboard.
Arata spoke, “Sir, patrol three reporting!”
Daichi gazed without speaking for a moment, “And what do you have to report?”
“Nothing out of the ordinary, sir. We stopped all civilians along the patrol and told them to return home,” Arata said pride.
“Well, start deploying the barricades, we need more on the south side. Dismissed,” order Lieutenant Daichi.
Arata seemed a little disappointed that the Lieutenant had not recognized his efforts. Yuuto knew Arata would get over it eventually. He followed Daichi's order and began placing the metal barriers along the southern side of the intersection. He was starting to feel the sweat rolling down his forehead when he set the last one.
Yuuto had finished just in time for the Lieutenant to call everyone into the main tent for a quick briefing. Wanting nothing but to eat food at this point, he begrudgingly followed the rest of the squad into the tent.
Chapter 4
Yuuto stood towards the back, wondering what was going to be shared. As the last soldier made his way into the tent and found a place to stand, Daichi started.
“When the manifest arrived, I received the orders promised at our earlier briefing. They...they are orders we must follow,” Daichi fumbled with his words.
“The procedure for screening civilians will be three questions, and gauging of the answers and mood of which answered in will result in deciding whether to screen anyone physically. That means if they are angry or unwilling to comply we are required to screen them.”
“The questions we are to ask are as follows: Have you seen anyone acting erratically, or unusual? Have you seen anyone with odd wounds that aren’t easily explained? Do you know anyone that is sick? Also, follow up after each questioning telling civilians, do not approach anyone who is sick, and call the authorities. We are not allowed to deviate from these lines.”
“If anyone we have screened is found to have a bite wound or is infected, we are to alert the medical checkpoint and they will have someone come and pick up the individual. We will put them in holding until medical team arrives. Now, this is very important if an individual is acting aggressive or trying to harm you or any civilians we have been approved to use lethal action. Try to keep doing so to a minimum, but lethal force is sanctioned, and again, try to keep it out of the public’s sight.”
“We are here to maintain the peace and the population in the ward. Allowing infected individuals to live will allow the spread of the virus. As stated before, there is no known cure, and therefore any individual that is beyond reasoning has a kill order in place.”
A soldier interrupted the Lieutenant, “Wait they are giving us the right to shoot anyone who doesn't comply?”
Daichi swallowed, “Yes. We have been given the right to shoot on sight for non-compliance and aggressiveness. The higher ups want this situation under control, and that means by any means necessary.”
“Look, I know this news sounds crazy. But if we are dealing with a viral outbreak, just simply washing our hands won't help anyone. I'm sure the chain of command knows what they are doing. They have mobilized the entire Self-Defense Force and have allocated all the firepower they can afford to give us. I have faith and trust, in our leaders.”
Yuuto listened as Daichi turned his speech into one about working together to impress the higher-ups. It was at this point he tuned him out and began to think on his own. He hoped the military had its stuff together, or they would be in trouble. The briefing that they had attended earlier, they had been told about that the military had lost control of four major cities already.
Yuuto had some faith, but how far it would take him was the concern. Knowing the entire military force was active, meaning they had numbers to throw at the problem. Surely it couldn't be too hard to contain sick people, even if they were violent. Sick people weren’t a problem bullets couldn't solve.
The Lieutenant finished the briefing turning it into pep talk, and he could feel the rest of the squad relieved. Yuuto was mainly relieved because he could now grab some food finally. He hadn’t eaten yet today except for a power bar. He could also do with sleep, hoping that after he ate that he would be allowed to do so instead of being reassigned to duty. Either way, he could tell that it was going to be a long day tomorrow.
Chapter 5
Isamu had just received an odd phone call from his supervisor, who had just called him to tell him that all buses after two PM were canceled. His supervisor only called to cancel buses when the weather was dangerous, and today was an enjoyable day. He wondered the reason why buses were canceled. It would have to be something imperative to cancel them.
He resumed his bus route shortly after wanting to make sure he got all his remaining stops in before two. At his first stop, he only saw two people, which was very odd since it was time for people to return from their lunch breaks. As the two passengers climbed on board, he told them that there were no buses for the rest of the day. They thanked him and took their seats.
Isamu continued his route, and the stops were either empty or had a couple of people at them. As he got to his last pick up stop, he saw a couple standing at the corner waiting. They were lucky they had made it, or else they would be waiting for a bus that would never come. Stopping the bus alongside the curb, he opened the doors for the couple.
Isamu leaned towards the couple speaking rather loudly at them, “Be glad you made this bus, it’s the last one for today!”
The man looked confused, and like he wanted to ask why, but instead took a seat with the woman that was with him. Isamu kept to his route, dropping off the people onboard one by one, until he was left all alone, and not a moment too soon. He had just enough time to get back to the bus depot. On his way back he noticed several trucks, military trucks, driving across the city, filled with troops.
His interest was piqued, but he still had to make it back to the depot or his supervisor would be mad. With only a few minutes until two o'clock, he arrived at the bus depot, parking his bus. He climbed out from it and began making his way to the office. Other bus drivers also lingered about all looking around as if there was going to be a big sign telling them what was going on.
They all crowded the single door into the building, where their supervisor was waiting for them all to arrive. In the meeting room, he found a seat, waiting with everyone else. All the other bus drivers asked each other about what was going on in hushed tones, but still, no one knew the answer.
Isamu’s supervisor walked into the room, closing the door, “Now before any of you ask me what is going on, I’ll explain. This morning we received word from the Minister of Transportation that Martial law has been declared, starting tonight. Now that was the first part, and before you all think you have a vacation, you don’t,” he sat down, “The Minister of Transportation was asked by the head of the Self-Defense Force to allocate all available bus and bus drivers to help with civilian transportation.”
He leaned back, “The Martial law has effectively shut down all public transportation. That does include us. We are going to be driving civilians to and from military checkpoints around the city. The government thinks that the riots are going to spread to Tokyo, and therefore they want us to escort those
cleared at military checkpoints to safer locations. That's all I know right now.”
A driver in the middle of the room spoke, “Why should we come to work and risk our lives if the riots are going to happen. I don't want to get hurt, and I have to make sure my family is safe too!”
His supervisor stared at him for a few moments before speaking, as if not wanting to share what he was about to say, “We have been approved to pay everyone four times their normal pay.”
All the drivers including himself all perked up, many of them were excited.
His supervisor stood up motioning for them all to calm down, “As well, I was told that all of your family members are some of the first people they are going to move to a safer place.”
More nods of approval; his supervisor looked relieved that he didn’t have to talk them all into doing something they didn’t want to do.
“The last thing for today is that you are all required to be here at six AM to receive your new bus routes. They have given us all special passes that will allow you to bypass the checkpoints to get here tomorrow. So, don’t forget to grab them. Otherwise, you can all go home, for the day.”
They all began to clear out, making sure to grab their passes. With all public transportation being shut down many coworkers had to ask those who drove for rides. Isamu, however, only lived ten blocks away, so he walked. It was starting to get slightly chilly outside, so he walked at a brisk pace. He looked down at the pavement in front of him, deciding he didn’t care to look at the shops he passed. Halfway on his way home, he was stopped.
Two soldiers had come around the corner, approaching him, “Sir, we ask that you head home immediately if you already aren't. Martial Law will start later this evening.”
Slightly annoyed, Isamu thanked them and continued his way home. Three blocks later he stopped at the intersection and saw the military setting up a checkpoint in the distance. They were setting up quickly, and it finally hit him that this was real. It was happening, and tomorrow morning he would be part of it.
He watched the soldiers for a minute, as they set barricades up, and tents. Before they could notice him, he moved on, not wanting to interfere with the military. Arriving at his apartment, he decided to watch the news and see what was happening. The TV gave him no more information than what his supervisor had.
Slightly disappointed in that aspect he decided to eat dinner and then go to bed. He had to be up early after all.
Chapter 6
The alarm buzzed, letting him know it was time to get up. Isamu got out of bed, stretching, readying his body for the day. He made himself a coffee, happily accepting its pick-me-up help. Fully alert he put on his uniform so that everyone would know his profession. As Isamu started to walk out of the apartment, he remembered that he needed his pass to be allowed passage since Martial Law was in effect.
Outside of his building, it was horrifyingly empty. No cars, people, or sound greeted him as it usually did. His footsteps echoed off the empty city around him. It wasn’t until he got closer to the military checkpoint he had seen yesterday that he heard anything at all. The voices of two soldiers carried far as he approached them.
The soldiers perked up as they heard him get close, “Stop right there! What are you doing outside right now?”
One soldier raised his rifle at him, as the other moved closer to him.
Isamu put up his hands, “I work for the bus depot. I have a pass...”
The soldier slightly lowered his weapon, but not enough for Isamu's comfort. He produced the badge slowly, extremely happy that he had remembered to grab it. The second soldier grabbed it, looking carefully at it. He inspected every inch of it before handing it back to Isamu.
“You are clear to pass. Make sure you don't lose that,” stated the soldier.
Isamu took his pass back, moving by the pair of soldiers. He could feel their eyes staring at him as he continued his walk. The bus depot came into view, and already a small amount of the other drivers had arrived waiting at the gate to be unlocked. The sun started to rise, and it started to feel a little more like an average day; not one where he had a gun shoved in his face.
His supervisor showed up, late, and unlocked the gate for them all. He looked exhausted as if he hadn't slept.
His supervisor turned blocking them all from entering the depot, “I was informed early this morning that as of right now we don’t have any routes set up for you all to drive. They will be sending them later today. Until we receive them, please clock in and stay in the depot. I will round everyone up when I have them.”
It was odd that they wanted the drivers there so early only to have them wait around. He didn't mind though; he was getting paid to sit around. Four times his normal pay, and he didn't even have to work. He chose a comfortable seat, and just relaxed.
✽ ✽ ✽
Arata woke him up, “It’s our turn to patrol again. You had better get up before the Lieutenant finds you...”
Yuuto got up, finding himself alert and ready. Even though the cot wasn't as good as his regular bed, he just needed sleep. It was morning, and that meant it was time to patrol for several hours. He grabbed his gear and left the tent with Arata.
The morning sunshine peered over the tall buildings around them, casting an orange glow. Yuuto set off, heading in the same path as they had yesterday, but this time they moved much slower. They didn't want to arrive back to early, making it seem like they didn't do their patrol. Yuuto snacked on another power bar while he walked.
Everything looked like it had the day before. It was going to be another boring patrol. The streets were still devoid of civilians and were extremely quiet. He hoped that it wasn’t going to be this boring the entire time, after all, he hoped for something more exciting.
Arata seemed to enjoy his walk around the city, taking in everything it had to offer visually. Even though civilians could go about their day, as usual, it seemed that many had decided to stay home, concluding that if the military had declared Martial Law things were probably bad. Many of the shops were closed and showed no signs of their owners or employees showing up. Fewer people meant an easier job though.
They stopped at an intersection and looked down the other three streets. Nothing moved in either direction. Continuing their patrol, they walked the perimeter that command had set for them. As they both walked casually down the road, they passed an alley. The sun had yet to be high enough to cast its rays into the alley, and it was still dark.
A loud crash came from deep within the alley, causing them both to stop and swivel, aiming their rifles. Yuuto motioned for Arata to follow him, and they moved together down the alley. A trash can had been knocked over, spilling trash everywhere. Yuuto carefully looked around checking for anything that stuck out, when something behind the dumpsters that were next to the trashcan moved.
“Come out where we can see you!” Exclaimed Arata.
No reply or answer came back, but something moved again behind the dumpster. Yuuto moved around the other side of the alley, trying to get a better angle. Yuuto got closer, peering around the side, he didn’t see anything but still heard the noise. He walked up to the dumpster and kicked it.
A street cat jumped out from inside, hissing at them both for disturbing it. Yuuto laughed as he watched the cat run away. He felt the tension release from his body, and began to relax.
“Just a damned cat! I thought it was going to be a sick person trying to attack us...” Arata trailed off.
They laughed it off together and continued their patrol. Nothing else exciting or noteworthy happened, during the rest of it. The streets were still empty until they started on their way back to the checkpoint.
It was as though everyone decided to leave for work at the same time. Everyone came to the same conclusion at once that it was now safe to go outside. The number of people wasn't too great, but it seemed like a lot to them since shortly before there had been no one. With people walking about, it started to feel more normal.
; They were the only thing out of place, rifle-toting soldiers patrolling through these people's daily lives. Many civilians looked at them with strange, questioning, faces. Others looked down at their feet as they walked by, not wanting to be involved with them in any way. Yuuto felt odd amongst them, after all, it wasn’t normal to see armed soldiers in the city.
Chapter 7
Yuuto saw the checkpoint come into view and already there was a line of people down the block trying to move through. They walked closer to the beginning of the line, each person looking more aggravated as their wait was longer. Moving past the front of the line and the two soldiers asking questions to the civilians in the line, Yuuto nodded at the soldiers. He walked deeper into the checkpoint to find Daichi, who was in the main tent, going over patrol reports.
“Reporting in!” Said Arata, just as perky as every time he said it.
Daichi stopped looking at his reports and looked at them, “Anything to mention?”
“No sir, nothing to report. Everything was normal and quiet,” said Arata enthusiastically.
Daichi nodded, “Good, go relieve the other two inspecting the civilians, they need rotating out.”
“Yes, sir!” Said Arata.
They both turned around, walking back to where they had seen the lengthy line of civilians. Yuuto was not ecstatic about having to ask questions to every person that came through the checkpoint; it would be a long ordeal interviewing each person, and he was already tired. An order was an order, though, and they relieved the two men asking the questions. As always, Yuuto was not feeling in the talkative mood, and let Arata ask the questions. He instead stood watch, watching the line of civilians waiting impatiently for their turn to be interrogated so they could pass.
What Remains (Book 2): Quarantine Page 8
