A War Worth Fighting Part 38
August 6, 1945 6:12 am Japan time
Just before sunrise....
He was tired, sore from head to toe from his traveling but he had reached his destination and was now going to be able to get to his mother. Smiling widely at the sight of the city, Heero released his breath in a long sigh. He nearly laughed when he did not see any soldiers around as he had expected.
Finally, the nightmare was about to end.
Even when he reached the city's edge, it would take the better part of the day to reach the house. But then it would finally be over.
Moving one foot in front of the other, Heero secured the pack on his back and forced himself to run. Despite the pain it caused him to do so, he ran with all of his strength.
Now that he was so close, he could not allow himself to slow down for a moment.
He was well within the city when he heard a plane flying high overhead.
* * * * * *
August 5, 1945 7:00 am Montana [1]
In the estate corral, Duo and Dorothy were working together grooming and feeding the five horses there. Working on brushing the growing foal's mane, the braided teenager snickered, "I remember when your head was no higher than my waist, Molly. I'm going to have to start reaching up to brush you before long."
The white horse nodded her head as if she understood what he had said. Chuckling, the veteran returned to his work as his 'sister' shook her head in amusement. Her focus returning to brushing down the back of Rex, their brown steed, Dorothy commented, "It won't be long before we'll get to break her into saddle. If she's anything like her mother, I'm sure she'll..." Her words trailed off distractedly.
Looking up in confusion, Duo turned to his frozen friend and followed her line of sight. His mother was approaching with red-rimmed eyes and a distraught look on her face. Dropping the brush in his hand, he instantly sprang for the fence and climbed over it with Dorothy right behind him.
"Ma?" he greeted when he ran towards her. "What's wrong?" he frowned deeply.
Lady Une swallowed roughly before her mouth opened and closed a few times in her effort to answer. Finally finding her voice, she managed in little more than a whispered, "I... there is a news broadcast on the radio..." Unable to continue on, she took hold of her son's arm in a silent urge for him to follow.
Only growing more concerned over what had his mother so upset, Duo's eyes widened as he allowed himself to be led to the house. Biting her lip, Dorothy went along quietly. Few things ever affected the lady of the house where she was unable to speak. Whatever it was that had her stricken to such a state could not have been good.
When they entered the house, the young mother led the way into the living room where the radio was still turned on as the voice over announced, "The exact extend of the damage has yet to be determined, however those who witnessed the explosion would not be surprised if the city was completely wiped out by the bomb."
Blinking in confusion as he took a seat on the couch across from the radio, Duo looked to his mother. Small tears in her eyes, Lady Une lowered her head as the news broadcaster continued, "As President Truman informed in his earlier broadcast, the bomb dropped on Hiroshima more than sixteen hours ago 'had more power than twenty-thousand tons of TNT." [2]
The air rushing out of the veteran's lungs in a cry, he paled. Dorothy covered her mouth to stifle her own shocked gasp. Shaking his braided head, her 'brother' whispered, "Hiroshima? It... that can't be right."
Unable to find any words, Lady Une ran a hand over her son's back as the tears rolled down her cheeks. "The President called the weapon 'an atomic bomb,'" the deep voice over the radio went on, "It is the first weapon capable of this magnitude of destruction. It was also made perfectly clear that what happened today will not be the end of what comes to Japan if they do not surrender unconditionally.
"We are not in the wake of a new kind of warfare. One can only hope that the devastation from this first attack will be enough to finally bring an end to this war with Japan once and for all. This decision from the President may very well save hundreds of thousands of lives of our soldiers stationed in the Pacific."
Still unable to fathom an entire city being destroyed by such a magnitude of a bomb, Duo continued to shake his head. His violet eyes shimmering, he looked up to his mother and whispered, "Please tell me that I heard him wrong. It wasn't Hiroshima, was it? It can't be gone..."
A small whimper escaping her, his mother gave all the answer he needed. Rising onto shaking legs, the veteran left the room in a stunned daze. Nearly falling over on his way out of the house, he broke out into a run for the corral. Ignoring the calls from his mom and 'sister,' he threw the fence opened and hurriedly saddled Rex before mounting the brown horse.
With his family running near, Duo turned the bay towards the opened gate and kicked his heels. Neighing loudly, Rex broke out into a gallop with his rider hanging on tight. Lady Une and Dorothy arrived just in time to close the gate before the other horses knew there was a way for them to escape.
Heavy-hearted, the young mother wrapped her arms around the tearful maid as they watched the veteran disappear over the fields. "Give him time," Lady Une urged gently and kissed her friend's blonde head. "We just need to give him time." Nodding, Dorothy sniffled and buried her head in a shoulder to cry silently.
* * * * * *
Not looking back once, Duo rode Rex to the large lake at the edge of his family's estate. Bringing the horse to a slow canter and then a stop at the water's edge, he dismounted. Taking a few steps in the tall grass, face drenched in tears, he fell to his knees while letting out a primal, heart-wrenching scream until his lungs ran out of air.
As he fell forward, he propped himself up by his arms and sobbed uncontrollably. "Heero," he whispered brokenly. His fingers gripping the grass, he felt himself coming undone in the wake of the devastating news of Hiroshima's bombing.
Of all of the cities... of all of the places... the target had to be where his lover was headed.
There was always the chance that Heero was not in the city when the bomb hit but... it was still his home. It was his history and what he knew before the war. And his mother... he could only hope that she was also away from harm.
Much as he hoped and prayed his partner and his mother were away when the bomb hit, there was always that grim chance they were not. Nearly ill over the thought of that possibility, Duo forced those dark thoughts away.
Really, there was nothing he could do without a confirmation as to where Heero was more than sixteen hours ago. And he hated feeling so helpless.
Kneeling in the grass like that, Duo was completely lost in his thoughts to pay any mind to how long he had been out there. Rex happily drank from the lake and ate the fresh grass around while staying close to his rider.
The sky was changing an array of colors at the beginning of the sunset when the veteran finally became aware of his surroundings once again. Wiping his soaked face, he turned to the brown creature. Slowly straightening himself, he moved to his horse and gently patted his neck. "Ready to head back home, boy?" he asked softly.
A soft puff of air hummed through the large animal's nostrils in response. With a sad smile, Duo climbed into the saddle. Lightly clicking his tongue, he took hold of the reins as Rex trotted back for the estate.
Meanwhile, the cities across the States were already carrying newspapers with their front pages covered by the announcement of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.
* * * * * *
When he returned home to climb the front porch steps, it was nearly dark. As soon as he stepped through the door, Duo spotted his mother and Dorothy all but running out of the kitchen. The relief on their faces along with the sighed breaths that they had been holding spoke of how they must have been fretting while he was away.
Biting his lip when they neared, the veteran told them sincerely, "I'm sorry I ran off like that. I just..."
Lady Une smiled lovingly and cupped the side of his face. "I know," she reassured quietly. "There is no need to apologize." Turning, she headed back to the kitchen while announcing, "I'll heat up dinner for you."
Duo nodded and thanked her on her way from the room. Looking to his 'sister,' he found her trying to get some sort of words out but nothing would come. Finally, Dorothy gave up on talking and simply threw her arms around his neck tightly.
Stunned for only a moment, the braided teenager nearly fell apart all over again at the sweet gesture. Fighting a new wave of tears, he wrapped his childhood friend up in his own arms. For a long time, they just stood there like that as they communicated without words the way they always did as kids.
Pulling back, Dorothy wiped her eyes and cleared her throat of the lump there. "So, yea," she nodded firmly. "That's all I needed to say."
The veteran grinned from ear-to-ear. "Thanks, sis," Duo replied softly. He only hoped that she really understood what that simple hug meant to him. He had a feeling that she did judging by the smile she gave him before walking off to join his mother in the kitchen.
Running a hand through his bangs, the youth sighed deeply. Nearly jumping at the sudden sound of the telephone ringing through the silence, he called, "I'll get it." Walking over to the telephone on the table, he took up the receiver and greeted, "Hello?"
A sharp gasp filled his ear before a familiar voice stated, "Duo, I swear to you if I had any idea that this was going to happen, I would have warned you."
Before the man on the other line continued, Duo responded, "It's all right, Zechs. I know you would have." Rubbing the back of his neck, he frowned, "How in the hell was the President of the United States able to keep a weapon like this so secret?"
In his hotel room in Washington, Zechs loosened his suit tie while sitting himself on the edge of his bed. "We still do not have all the details in the Senate yet," he answered. "But it is coming to light that a test of the bomb was conducted in Mexico."
'Of course,' the retired soldier thought to himself. It made perfect sense to how such a run was kept under wraps.
Swallowing roughly, the political sponsor shared, "I have a feeling that we are going to be learning more about this bomb than just the explosion that it caused. A lot of the Senators believe that Truman has not been forthcoming with all of the details behind this atomic weapon and what it can really do."
That sent a chill up Duo's spine. What could possibly have been worse than such a grand explosion? Knowing that Zechs would never bring up his concern unless there was reason, he damped his own throat with a swallow.
Choosing to change the subject, the braided teenager snorted, "Well I can only imagine how thrilled the Senators are over there at being in the dark over something like this."
Zechs smirked, "Oh I am pretty sure that it will take some time before they'll be letting the President off the hook for this." He paused before saying quietly, "To be completely honest, I don't know what I would have done in Truman's shoes. Destroy a city of innocents or send our forces into hell." Shaking his head, he thought aloud, "I understand and yet..."
Just as torn over the matter, Duo nodded with a muttered, "Yea." Clearing his throat he stated, "I'll get my mom so you two can talk."
"About Heero," the politician interrupted quickly before the veteran got away, "I... I'm sure that he and his mother were away before the attack came. I wouldn't assume the worst until we have all of the facts. " He smiled, "We weren't about to give up on you when we learned you were missing. So don't you give up on him."
Warmed by those sentiments, Duo grinned widely. "Thanks, Zechs," he managed in little more than a breath. That said, he lowered the receiver to the table to collect his mother so that she could take up the call.
Taking a place at the table in the kitchen while Lady Une stepped out for the telephone, he forced himself to nibble away at the plate of food waiting for him. Not having much of an appetite, he never even really tasted the meal so much as he just went through the motions of eating.
Much as he tried to not dwell on Heero or the bomb, simply putting those thoughts away was not exactly the easiest thing to do. He just thanked whatever God it was in the heavens that was listening that he had an understanding family to help him through.
Completely unaware that he was doing it, Duo sat through his whole dinner while the fingers of his free hand rubbed over his gold cross pendant that had never left his neck since he was sent off to war.
* * * * * *
To the amazement of the world, Japan had yet to surrender as demanded by the President following the drop of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. During the two days that followed, the news of the radiation fallout was only just coming to light in horrendous recants of the results on those that had survived the blast.
On August 8th, leaflets of warnings were dropped and other such messages were given to the Japanese station Saipan. Under no circumstances was there to be any doubt that there would be yet another attack like the one on Hiroshima if the government refused to end the war. [3]
Chilling statements from Truman that if those terms of surrender were not met, 'they may expect a rain of ruin from the air' such as that which the earth had never seen before.
Still, there was no surrender.
* * * * * *
In the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard of Washington, the USS Enterprise's repairs continued. Whether the ship was going to be docked at the yard permanently or sent off to battle still remained a question. There was a tension amongst the entire crew.
Just when there were the first talks of possibly, finally, going home, those talks quickly died down when Japan continued to refuse raising the white flag.
Lying on his back atop his bed in his quarters, Wufei silently wondered what his fate would be. He recalled conversations he'd had with Johnny where they'd commented that nothing short of the hand of God would be enough to make Japan surrender.
All that he could silently hope was that the bomb was just that saving grace and the leaders of the last Axis force would finally relent lest their people suffer more.
* * * * * *
Following their prayers outside of the church they'd helped rebuild in Kalavryta, Greece, Quatre and the Infantry joined the men and women gathered inside in their own prayer. Everyone had the same prayer those nights following the incident in Hiroshima... For Japan to finally call off their arms so that the war could finally end.
When he reached Isis near the front of the church, the Arab returned the smile she offered him in greeting. Shifting down the pew, she patted the space beside her as he took his seat. Hari and the remaining 65th Infantrymen joined the people that they had helped in a silent respect of their own form of prayer.
In the end, those prayers were all going to the same place. For the same pleas.
* * * * * *
Mannheim Germany was a shell of tension between the soldiers stationed there as well as the men and women living there under their occupation.
Stationed in his high office building with the windows blown out, Trowa kept his sniper rifle on his crossed legs while he peered out to the city below. As one the of few members of the 65th Infantry that volunteered to stay behind until the complete end of the war, the spot had become like a second home to him.
All around, troops and neighbors alike spoke quietly amongst themselves. The sniper knew the subject of those talks without needing to be there to hear them firsthand. Everyone was thinking of when Japan would cut its losses before it suffered another attack like Hiroshima. When was enough going to be enough?
Closing his emerald eyes for a moment, Trowa imagined the smell of the vineyard after a fresh rainfall. It was the only bit of solace he had amidst the world that had yet to find its way from the madness that had wracked it for years.
* * * * * *
August 9, 1945. Early morning.
High above the Japanese city of Kokura, the US B-29 bomber known as the Bockscar was making a third wrap around to find the target through the thick clouds that covered the town. "Damn it," the triggerman hissed. "I still can't get a clear lock, Sweeney!" Looking to the pilot, he shoulder over the engines, "Do we make another pass and try again?"
Hands still on his controls, Major Charles Sweeney shook his head after a scan of his plane's controls. "Negative!" he shouted to be heard. "Fuel is running out quick here." Turning to his copilot, he asked, "I want the name of our secondary target and what the latest weather report for that city."
Quickly looking opening the Top Secret envelope with the secondary target's name, the copilot looked over his jotted notes in the weather conditions over that area. Looking back to the pilot, he answered, "Nagasaki. Clear and Sunny." [4]
TBC...
[1] I confirmed the time difference of 15 hours between Montana and Japan (Japan being ahead). But Truman did not go on record via radio to the US public until 6am central time, well after the bomb was dropped: http://www.cfo.doe.gov/me70/manhattan/hiroshima.htm
[2] Here is Truman's word-for-word statement: http://www.cddc.vt.edu/host/atomic/hiroshim/truman1.html
[3] My source for this as well as Truman's comment of 'rain of ruin...': http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_bombings_of_Hiroshima_and_Nagasaki
[4] Many people do not know that Nagasaki was not the intended target for the second atomic bomb. Kokura was covered by both clouds and smoke from other air attacks and that was what saved the city. In midair on their third pass, the crew of the Bockstar made the choice to hit the Nagasaki instead when they learned the ideal conditions.
Information on that flight as well as the pilot, Charles Sweeney can be found here as well: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_bombings_of_Hiroshima_and_Nagasaki
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