Fire Fury Freedom

by Amanda Rose

  Yu-Lee, without openly admitting it, couldn’t have been happier about the delay; it kept Mack from overexertion. They waited in the trees, feeling useless. There was nothing to do but prepare their gear, which took no time at all, and once that was done, there was nothing to do but wait. And wait they did...

  Not until the wee hours of the morning did Masumi return. At sunset, before she came back, they watched as light streamlined across Tomakomai. The city turned to gold, glorious, brilliant and shinning. It reflected gold onto the surrounding area, the warm hue turned everything it touched to beauty. Yu-Lee got to her knees and began chanting, tears running down her round cheeks. It was a blessing, which each of them recognised it as so in their own way.

  Later, Kairu started up his mini Jujitsu class again to pass the time. Suako and Mei had fun play fighting one another, testing out the new movements. It was quite entertaining to watch as well, for the others. As it got dark, and stars painted their constellations in the sky, they sat in a circle talking amongst themselves. They were hungry, there hadn’t been much left to eat, and most of what they had was given to Mack to give his body the energy to recuperate. Yu-Lee wouldn’t have had it any other way, and in the end nor would have anyone else.

  Sounds kept gun fingers alert. There were animals, actual animals, here; they weren’t disfigured or starving at all. They were alive and vibrant, and they played together, not trying to kill each other for food. Mother birds nurtured their freshly hatched eggs. Squirrels giggled and toppled about, chasing each other in circles. They even saw a few floppy eared rabbits hop by them, that were just as white as the snow they hopped on. Life was serene here. It spoke of the natural, or rather the more natural, way of the world. What it was. What it should be.

  It was cold, but bearable. They had seen colder days. They had moved slightly further back into the treeline and started a fire after the sun had gone down. It crackled in a soothing way, and glowed magnificently. They sat around, starring into it, each reflected on themselves at times when conversation faded. Vince had pulled out his journal and fastidiously recorded his first image of Tomakomai into it, he only wished he’d had color to elaborate it. Jenko worked on his map while his memory was still fresh.

  “Do we have a plan, Mack?” Suako asked sitting next to him. “I think so,” he said. Everyone’s ears perked up. “I was thinking we’d make our way into the city. I want to check out the influence of the C.D.F.P. here. I have a feeling they’ve wormed their way in. After we scout, I want to go to that big place in the centre of the city. We’ll see some action there,” he stopped to cough, then cleared his throat, “… I’m sure of it. It’s not much I know, but I don’t want to make this complicated. Simple is best,” he hoarsely coughed again. “… And Kazuo?” Suako sheepishly asked. His right eye zeroed in on her. “I can only hope…” a pause, and the eye idly drifted away.

  Crunch! Crunch! Crunch! Someone was coming. Suako drew her gun and did a 180 as she stood. It was Masumi, and the young girl’s eyes bulged nearly free of her skull at the sight of the gun pointed directly at her. She dropped the parcels at the sudden ambush. Suako lowered her weapon, “Oh Masumi, I’m sorry… Here let me get those,” Suako collected the brown paper parcels, wrapped and twine-tied, from where they had landed. Masumi breathed a sigh of relief, her heart pithier pattering inside her uncontrollably “N, no It’s alright. I should’ve said something... Let me help…”

  Gathered up between the two of them, they presented the articles to everyone else. Before opening all of them Masumi took one out of the lot to be first. She let Mack open it, for whenever she had been sick her father would give her a gift to make her feel better. She instinctively wanted to help him feel better, and it had always lifted her own spirits. The paper was torn away to reveal a conglomeration of decadent foods.

  Eyes ogled, and mouths salivated, at the assortment before them. They had smoked salmon, smoked ham, a real expense, pork was so rare, and some canned sardines, which could last for a long time preserved in their tins. Then there were two loaves of freshly baked sunflower seed bread, and vegetables galore, potatoes, celery, carrots, string beans, broccoli, to name a few. Some fruits, tomatoes, a few lemons, oranges, apples which were dipped in a caramel glaze, cherries, and a few bags of nuts; after having some on the train Masumi found she’d been craving more. Then some real treats, Masumi had gone all out. She’d got butter, salt, pepper, sugar, white, brown and maple, a few of her favourite herbs, including rosemary, and a gourmet box of truffles. To top it all off she’d managed to fudge her age and brought two bottles of red wine for Jenko and, her pride and joy of it all, a small wooden box...

  Speechlessly starring at it, all the felt to be in a dream. Masumi picked up the box and offered it to Mack. “Here. It’s for you, A get well present,” she smiled cheerily, with a sense of pride. Placing it in his hands Masumi then lowered to her knees to watch him open it. Mack pulled the small metal latch forward and then pulled open the lid. A sweet aroma slid out and tickled his nose. He closed his eye and enjoyed it as it tantalised him. “Cigars… mmm, thank you,” He looked to her happily. She could see the weariness in his face. “Enjoy,” she smiled.

  Then feast commenced. Pork flaked from the bone with ease, butter smeared across the bread, toasted above the fire, and melted into every nook and cranny. Jenko was reminded of Quan as he ate away at the salmon, sprinkled with dill and drenched in lemon juice. Apples crunched and the caramel slowly saturated their mouths with flavourful sweetness. Seasoning highlighted everything. Wine was passed about like the elixir of life. Lastly came the memorable truffles, eaten and slowly savoured. The feast went on just short of two hours. Happy people with full tummies now sat around the encampment; it was the calm before the storm.

  Once the food had been put away out came the other packages. Ripping off the paper and twine revealed briefcases, queer looks glared at them. “Well, open them up will you!” Masumi excitedly urged them on. Without question they did. Snap! The latches popped open. A scent, not common to the newer generation of the East Green Continent, poured out from inside. It was a factory ‘brand new’ kind of smell. It was unique, and they thought they liked it.

  From there they pulled their new clothes out, the new fabrics slide across their skin; they were fine, very fine. The group examined them. “They’re suits, business suits,” Masumi explained to them, “We’re going into the business sector, so I thought these would be best,” she looked at them with anticipation. “Weeellll? Try them on!” For her amusement they went and did so right away. She joined them to get on her own formal attire.

  Re-appearing in the circle they looked open each other with speculating eyes. They saw each other in a different light. The men, snazzy in dark suits and loosely buttoned shirts, pulled off the get-up with surprising ability. Pants draped, the heavy material held relatively uniform shape. Their blazers added a dash of charm. The deep plum Masumi had chosen for Kato was a royal match.

  The ladies came out feeling the snug spandex, rayon and polyester blended skirts and dress pants hugging tight against their hips. From there, pencil skirts came to the knee and pants hung long and swayed seductively as they walked. Blouses with jackets went with pants suits, and formfitting sweaters with cardigans topped off the skirt ensembles. All together they were a fleet of ‘mock employees’.

  “Hey not bad,” Mei said checking herself out, adoring the feeling of the pants as they glided across her skin. Suako straightened the collar of her blouse. Other than slightly gruff around the face, the guys looked great. Masumi had even found a black eye patch for Mack to compliment everything. “Hey, Masumi, great find!” Suako smiled as she saw Mack’s eye patch. “Oh yea,” Masumi was distracted. She found the pencil skirts a slight challenge to walk in at first. She was used she her casual clothing which allowed freedom in her stride.

  Lastly Yu-Lee came from behind the trees, and she really stood out. Her raven black hair let down was long, and took years off her face. The sexy, ye
t subtle exposure of skin, her defined calves were elegant. Her deep violet sweater accented her amethyst eyes; she was a poised woman and she walked as one too. “Yu-Lee you look amazing!” Masumi gasped, feeling slightly envious, she desired to be as distinguished and pulled together. “Thank you,” came the reply, her voice even differed to a slightly lower tone. Chills went up and down Jenko’s spine.

  “So, uh, we be ready?” Kato asked, struggling to adjust himself to the odd textures on his body. “No, not yet,” Masumi let him know. He looked around and everyone looked all right to him. “…Why?” Masumi couldn’t contain her giggles. “Hehe, your … haha… your hair! We need to fix everyone up. Hehe, need to look professional,” she explained. “Oh,” he felt himself turning red having had not thought of that.

  Masumi fixed everyone up, starting with subtle make up on all of the ladies. After that, she worked on their hair, she pulled Suako’s hair back into a bun, and did the same for her own. Yu-Lee looked so fabulous she hesitated and then decided she would just leave it long on her. With a jelly type concoction, she slicked back and styled Mei, Kato and Mack’s hair, and despite the length, simply slicked back Kairu’s hair as well. Once she completed tight ponytails on Vince, and Jenko they we’re finally looking the part.

  Moving everything from their tattered and worn bags into the shinny leather briefcases was the last step. “Oh, so that’s why you got these,” Kairu said as she started shifting items from one place to another. “Hey, Masumi?” Jenko looked at her. “Huh, what?” she asked continuing to work. “How did you carry all of this stuff here by yourself?” It had finally dawned on him. The feast of food and nine briefcases stuffed full of clothing. There was no way she could have done it. In fact, he doubted anyone could, it would be too damned awkward.

  “A man from one of the shops I went too lent me a trolley. He said I could bring it back today. I told him I lived on the other side of town but would be back in a week. He was quite pleasant, he had a beard like yours, only his was more salt and pepper. Anyway, he said I could return it then. So that way he won’t get suspicious when I don’t show up today. I figured a week was plenty…” she prattled on as she continued the migration of objects. Her actions were just as if it was any regular day in her life, quite was innocent.

  Once everything was cleared from their bags, they were thrown onto the fire. Leave no trace. After it finished burning, they snuffed it out, and covered it with snow. With any luck it would not be found. It was time to leave.

  No matter how dark the night, morning will always come.

  Chapter 22: Recon

  Briefcases in hand, they crossed the danger zone, exposed to the world. With haste they crossed, no one was around, and they station was far enough away. It wasn’t even daybreak yet, so being seen was at minimum risk. But being seen meant a discommodious situation. How on earth could they explain themselves, nine businessmen and women scampering about the countryside? Indeed, they were certainly out of place. As well, complications would be harder to address, for concealing weapons within these clothes proved to be a perilous task. For now, most weapons had to be kept in the briefcases. It was not good for a sudden assault; all-the-more reason to take every precaution.

  Once across, they slipped between the houses, and entered the city. It was the dawn of a new day as Masumi guided them between the endless rows of houses. Through many streets, and past many artful homes, they discovered dreams could be real. Things only imaginations could manifest on the East Green Continent came to life in this place. It felt like entering a fictional world; a chamber within their minds.

  The sky was yellow when the sun began its daily rotation. The tall executive buildings, which melded with the night sky, began to reappear like water absorbing a reflection. The chameleon-like city welcomed the day. Faint sounds of motors from the city streets started up, and factories began their production lines once more; early risers were the money-makers.

  For being in the midst of a civil war, the city seemed to lack the boarder control. Infiltrating couldn’t have possibly been easier. They were either unconcerned about damages, and certain that their forces could demolish any enemy attack, or very certain that no one would dare to attack their core. Regardless of the answer, Mack thought it foolish to allow pride to blind sight them.

  They passed through a shovelled walkway of one of the parks. Lovely climbing equipment for children scatted around, slides and monkey bars. The families were offered wonderful things to live here and work here, after all, a small sweet flower attracts the bees away from their nest. Envisioning the Empire growing did not take much. A second look at the swing sets found an engraving: Compliments of C.D.F.P. Incorporation

  “So, you’ve bought your way in have you? Hmmp!” Kato grunted as he kept on with the rest of the crew. He told it to Mei and she spat disgustedly at the jungle gym. The C.D.F.P. was always scheming, but that much they had already known. The fact that their roots sprang from this place lessened the shock that this Utopia of a world would actually allow such a plague to wriggle its way in, and start to spread its poison thickly from here.

  Mack wouldn’t allow it; if this place was the only place fit on earth to save, they’d save it for those not involved. If the earth was still to crumble despite their efforts, at least they could ease the intensity of its demise. Life was too valuable to say fighting for one more day, one more hour, one more minute, or even one more second wasn’t worth it. It was worth it. It may have been vengeance too, but in the end, it was for humanity.

  From the park, down some concrete stairs, they entered a parking lot. Automobiles parked there were few, for the day was still young. There was a clank sound from inside the building the parking lot led up too, followed by a time of whizzing noise. The noise grew and grew, and then a puffy grey cloud started rising out the top of two tower smokestacks on top of the brick building. They walked past it. Back in Torusan, besides small businesses in the higher numbered grids, there wasn’t much to see, but here there were real factories; machinery was for the rich.

  The city air was surprisingly clear for the amount of waste emitted. A later finding had them discover ventilation that had to have led out a distance from the actual city. Large fans induced suction near all of the main factories that pulled the pollution to an exhaust at the edge of the dome. The air seemed naturally pure, unless an exhaust was close by. A smart development, yet still not eliminating the underlying source. But there was something-different even about the release of the factory output here, it wasn’t anywhere near as potent, and it didn’t feel as sickly to the body when inhaled. They didn’t understand it.

  Mack pulled them aside once they were well into the heart of the downtown region, “We split up now. Everyone goes solo. Our cover, we’re surveying the area to find out whether or not the general public wishes to endorse the C.D.F.P. to build power generators here. Build off of that however you will. Low profiles, you know the drill, I won’t bother with the spiel.”

  “At five tonight we’re meeting up at a hotel Masumi scouted out for us last night. It’s large so we won’t have to worry about being found out. She’s already reserved us the rooms. Meet in the lobby. Be punctual, we’re supposed to be anal executives after all,” He smirked, and they all chuckled. “OK, Yu-Lee, Masumi, Kairu Jenko and I are under Kairu’s last name, Hiroshu. I’d use mine but I bet that that Yoshida has made word to watch for my name… Anyway, Mei, Kato, Vince and Suako you’re under Mei’s married name, Yoshini. Got it?” Flurried nods and several yes and yep reply answers flew at him. There was a solemn look on Mei’s face, with eyes to the ground; her eyes lifted to meet his, and a slight of the head thanked him for the respect of her dead husband. “Then be there at five. Go,” Mack commanded.

  Before Masumi got away, Mack grabbed her arm gently. She turned and saw him looking down at her with a truly thankful expression. “I know you’ve spent most of the leftovers of your parents’ money on us. I don’t know how we can make it up to you…” he sta
rted to say. “Just try to bring down the C.D.F.P. Just do your best at that. That is worth more than any amount of gold to me,” she interrupted. “Thank you,” he bowed to her.

  Ding! The door opened in to the sales counter of a metal works factory. The metal could be tasted in the air. From practical, too sculptural, they had all sorts of pieces on display for sale. The electrical whizzing of some processing machine was a droning white noise in the background. In waltzed a model, even without a magickal spell of glamour deception. Tight skirt around her sensual hips, Yu-Lee approached the counter where a twenty-some odd year-old man stood behind the counter, trying desperately to keep his jaw from plunging to the floor. He was her pawn from the second she shook her thick hair around her face of rose leaf complexity…

  Thump! Thump! Thump! Kato waited behind a door that no one seemed to answer no matter how long he pounded on it. Thump! Thump! Th- “Yes sir? What is it?” Some hot shot, red in the face, employee poked his head out the door. “Hello Sir. I’m surveying the local municipal companies ‘bout the building of C.D.F.P. Incorporation Reac-” He didn’t get to finish his speech before the guy was calling for the manager. He told Kato to wait a minute and closed the door. Kato rolled his eyes. “This ain’t f’ me…” he shook his head. Changing his vocabulary, turning away slang, was becoming more of a challenge then he’d expected. It would be a long day…

  Two down, a good start. Jenko Thought to himself as a kindly gentleman opened the door guiding Jenko out. “Come back anytime sir. And thank you for considering the people!” He was actually thanked for coming by. Kind people, or at least in their treatment toward him. Rub anyone the right way and they’ll open-up. Jenko began to travel down the sidewalk, where salt had been sprinkled and melted wintry deposits off of pearl white snow on the sidewalk squares. Light bounced up off the melted snow puddles brightly, and only dirty patches mellowed it down. Hard working labourers passed him as he went. The click of his shinny ‘Corporate Man’ shoes stood out amongst the heavy thuds of work-boots. These small back streets were pleasant, the air was crisp, and the day was beautiful. He took it all in preciously. For who knew what tomorrow held in store. For today, all that mattered was the day itself…