Chapter 2

           TwosentrieswerepostedontheroadleadingtothesectionofthebaseunderU.S.jurisdiction.Theywerehuge,eachmancarryingahigh-powerrifleinarmsasbigaroundasmythighs.

           Theirphysiquesmadethemlooklikesuitsofarmorondisplay.Theydidn’thavetosayawordtoletpassersbyknowwhowasincharge.Clusterbombscouldhaverainedfromthesky,andtheseguyswouldhaveheldtheirground,unblinking,untiltheyreceiveddirectorderstodootherwise.

           Ifyoukepttheminthecornerofyoureyeandheadedforthemaingate,you’dbeonthepathI’dtakenwhenItriedgoingAWOLonmythirdtimethroughtheloop.Runningwouldbeeasy.WithwhatI’dlearned,IcouldprobablyavoidtheMimicambushandmakeittoChibaCity.ButtodayIhadanotherobjectiveinmind.

           Itwas10:29.Iwasstandinginthesentries’blindspot.Withmyeighty-centimeterstride,thesentrieswereexactlyfifteensecondsfromwhereIstood.

           Agullflewoverhead.Thedistantroaroftheseablendedwiththesoundsofthebase.Myshadowwasasmallpoolcollectedatmyfeet.Therewasnooneelseonthepath.

           AnAmericanfueltruckpassedby.Thesentriessaluted.

           Ihadtotimemywalkjustright.

           Three,two,one.

           Thetruckapproachedaforkintheroad.Anoldcleaningladycarryingamopsteppedoutinfrontofthetruck.Brakessquealed.Thetruck’senginestalled.Thesentriesturnedtowardthecommotion,theirattentionsdivertedforafewpreciousmoments.

           Iwalkedrightby.

           Icouldfeeltheheatcastbytheirsheerbulk.