The Crystal Warriors Read Online Free PDF Page A

purpose. Maybe they'll pull back and we can still get out of this."
    He knew the Americans couldn't understand what he was saying, and it was just as well. As long as they were desperate they were allies, but the moment survival seemed possible the old animosities would be back.
    Mark stepped up to Ikawa's side. "Why did they pull back?"
    "We're too strong in here."
    "They're afraid of something. You could hear them arguing, and they sounded frightened to me."
    "Let's explore this place," Ikawa said, changing the topic. "Do you have a light?"
    Mark fumbled in his pockets and pulled out an old, battered Zippo. Striking a light, he held it aloft.
    "There, along the wall: torches."
    Soon the five-sided room was filled with a soft glow. Ikawa posted guards at the window slits and the rest of the men settled down in exhaustion.
    Kochanski joined Mark and Ikawa as they quietly surveyed the room.
    "Looks Tang period to me. This place is a hell of a find."
    "How do you know that?" Ikawa asked in surprise.
    "Studied it in college," Kochanski said. "I was a history major at Yale before the war."
    Ikawa smiled. "Yes, I was there once. I was at MIT studying engineering."
    "Yeah, I would have graduated by now, but then you folks started this little mess."
    Ikawa shook his head.
    "Let's not argue. I did not start it, nor did you. We simply are following our orders. I would rather have finished my schooling, as well!"
    "Okay, Kochanski," Mark interrupted, "enough of the homecoming routine. Check the rest of this place out. See if you can find a back door or tunnel, that's our main concern. And stop worrying about the history."
    Mark had been staring out the narrow window when he heard a moan. It was Jose Laurel―conscious but obviously in great pain.
    "How you doing, buddy?"
    "Arm hurts like a bitch, Captain." His voice was weak and slightly slurred.
    Mark leaned over and gently pulled back Josl's flight jacket. It was soaked in blood. He looked up at Goldberg, who had been caring for his friend.
    "It's badly broken," he whispered, moving Mark over to one side. "That flak burst nearly tore it off. If we don't get help soon, he'll die."
    "Have you shot him up?"
    "I've used the medic pack aboard Dragon Fire. There's some more morphine in the survival gear."
    "Use it."
    Mark looked up at Ikawa.
    "Captain Ikawa, do you have a medic with your men?"
    "Private Koki was a medical assistant. As soon as he's done with my wounded man, he'll take care of yours. Do you have any medical supplies?"
    Mark shot a quick glance back to Goldberg. What they had was limited.
    "Captain Phillips, if you don't share your supplies, I will not share my medic."
    "All right, have him go through the equipment with Lieutenant Goldberg."
    "Captain Phillips, we're in this together. I propose that we pool what we have, and share accordingly."
    "Captain, all those Japs have are their weapons and ammo," Giorgini shouted. "Let the bastards starve."
    "When I want your advice, Giorgini," Mark snarled, "I'll ask for it."
    Mark looked at his men and could see that they agreed with Giorgini. He turned back to face Ikawa.
    "Captain Phillips, my men would undoubtedly agree with your sergeant," Ikawa whispered softly. "I have an officer who would shoot me this minute if he thought he could get away with it." Ikawa made a subtle gesture toward Lieutenant Mokaoto.
    Ikawa turned away from Mark for a moment and looked over his men. "Where's Kurosawa?"
    "Dead, Captain," Takeo replied. "He was hit by a shell."
    "I see. Captain Phillips," Ikawa continued, "I have fifteen men under me, you nine. We have a light Nambu machine gun; the rest rifles. Our ammunition is enough for the moment. You have several carbines, two Thompsons, and the rest .45s. What else do you have in your survival gear?"
    Mark looked back over at his men. There was no sense in lying or holding back now.
    "A first aid kit, signal flares―the usual survival pack gear―and rations for my crew to last three days."
    "Or all