Chapter 4

  The first thing Tanya noticed upon returning to her old world was the lack of mana in the air.

  Well, that is if this really was her old world but the room they found themselves in certainly looked like it. Oddly they were both still in their flight gear and Imperial uniforms, sans the blood from their last battle and their riffles. Although she didn’t know what else she was expecting.

  At least they didn’t appear naked in the street. Their getup appeared to include everything on them when they had “died” even their type 97 computation orbs. Thankfully that God wasn’t lying when he said he made sure the type 95 was destroyed. On impulse Tanya raised her protective film and felt what internal mana she still had drain rapidly without anything in the air to replenish it. Cutting the spell quickly she turned to warn Visha.

  “Don’t caste any spells there’s no mana in this world so we can’t waste what little we brought with us.”

  “Rodger, um where are we, this isn’t another memory or dream right ma’am”

  “I don’t know but it looks like any old room from my old world. Let’s sit tight and try to get our bearings, see if you can see anything out that window and I’ll check the door.”

  Moving to the door she tried the handle, but it was locked. “Doors locked.”

  “It’s night out Colonel, I can’t see much due to smog and cloud cover, but we are in a city judging by the lights and, wow that buildings huge, how did they make it so tall, oh there are more of them”

  “Visha, save the chatter for later.” Tanya hissed. Hear ear to the door she could make out muffled voices in another room speaking her native Japanese.

  Moving away from the door she met back up with Visha next to the two sleeping futons against the far wall by the window.

  “Windows locked as well, and I believe we are on an upper story hard to tell how high up there’s a building next door blocking most of the view.”

  “Good work Visha, I don’t know what the situation is outside, but it doesn’t bode well that we are locked in and based on what that God told us we should be in a “dangerous situation that will help us get started as well as help others who are in need.” Whatever that means, I mean would a few more details about what exactly the mission entailed be so difficult to give out.

  He had so much to say about everything else but stays vague on what we are walking into. It’s not like he didn’t know what he was sending us into. This feels like Army intelligence screwing with us as usual.”

  “Tanya, I would really prefer it if you did not blaspheme so much. I understand your reasons, but this is different, and you can admit yourself that your past blasphemy didn’t ever help the situation.”

  Tanya was shocked to say the least. Her precious Visha who followed her every word and command like a baby chick toddling after her, was now talking back to her!

  Not ten minutes out of the army and discipline goes out the window, I guess. She didn’t know whether to reach over and smack Visha or praise her for her courage.

  No, that wasn’t right Visha was bringing up a logical point, a good point. Taking her emotions out of the equation Tanya had nothing to gain and everything to lose by continuing to needle higher powers.

  Grudgingly she found herself mumbling in a small voice.

  “I will accept you recommendation on this point Visha and I’ll, I’ll try to watch my tongue when it comes to, Him.” Shaking her head she ordered. “Now let’s search this room for anything useful before we kick that door down.”

  They spread out around the room Tanya looking through several end tables and cupboards while Visha went to the closet. Moments later she heard a faint eep sound come from Visha, but after looking at her nothing seemed wrong, so Tanya continued her search, finding nothing of any value or note.

  Deciding not to leave empty handed she grabbed the futon throwing it over a small table to cover the noise while she broke off two of the legs to act as simple bludgeons for her and Visha. Weapons in hand she turned to Visha who was coming away from the closet arms full. Only to drop the clubs to the ground noisily when her eyes landed on the bundle of clothes in Visha’s arms.

  Where those panties mixed in with the dresses, wait Dresses!

  “Look what I found Colonel, this way we can blend in with the locals. Some of these look just like some of outfits I saw in your memories.

  After seeing the look on Tanya’s face.

  “I know, I was just as shocked as you when I saw how um, colorful some of the uh undergarments are, but this should be the kind of stuff you’re used to right? This is your old world after all.”

  Tanya was not one to admonish subordinates for showing initiative. No! she really should not start hitting Visha over the head for trying to think ahead and for coming up with ideas on her own. But please for goodness sakes why did she think they would need color coordinated underwear to go with the damn dresses that Tanya had no intention of wearing.

  Running her hand down her face Tanya spoke in a tired tone.

  “Firstly Visha, you seem to have forgotten I was a man, the last time I was in this world. I was very much not used to underwear like this. And secondly Visha, priorities right now we…”

  Then she saw the look in her adjutant’s eyes and paused the words stuck in her throat. Visha’s eyes were gleaming, and she kept running her hand back and forth over a white dress with a blue flower pattern all over it. She was looking down as Tanya stopped talking, continuing to spread the other clothes out on the remaining futon. Her touch slow and gentle.

  It occurred to Tanya that her war buddy had not had any more time than her to enjoy the finer things in life during the war. And while Tanya’s interests were certainly very different, she could plainly see the nostalgia and longing in Visha’s motions as she began sorting the clothes into outfits and folding them correctly so they wouldn’t wrinkle improperly.

  Tanya reminisced on all the times she had foisted off annoying or shit duties on her Lieutenant over the years, and the most she had ever given her as a reward was some wine or chocolate.

  “Fine, take what you want, here.” Tanya grabbed one of the pillows and after removing the pillowcase handed it to Visha to use as a bag. Tanya was midway through turning to look at the door when she heard a blasphemy of her own.

  “Rodger, I’ll fold it up nicely. Oh! This one’s going to look so cute on you.”

  It took every ounce of will Tanya had left in her to keep herself from creating an explosion formula right then and there, followed up by several napalm spells. She couldn’t believe her ears. This ungrateful little umph, after everything she had done for her. Visha was lucky they weren’t back on the Rhine because right now there was a pill box waiting and Tanya was ready to stuff her in there herself.

  Just as she was about to give the Lieutenant a piece of her mind, they both froze at the sound of heavy footsteps down the hall. Dropping low while scooping up the dropped makeshift clubs they both silently made their way to either side of the door waiting and listening. The steps made their way to right outside their door and continued passed them not even pausing.

  Tanya heard the familiar sound of a sliding door open then close. That’s strange, she thought our room has a western style door with hinges and a handle, but another room in the house had more traditional sliding doors. She put that thought away as she moved to hand Visha one of the table leg clubs she had fashioned.

  Visha scrunched her eyebrows in confusion, so Tanya mimed whacking someone over the head with it. At this Visha smiled with mirth in her eyes as she pulled her trench shovel from its place on her koppeltragegestell (combat harness and webbing). Mockingly Visha then looked pointedly down at Tanya’s own shovel.

  In her rush to secure the area she had failed to double check her own gear after confirming the position of her type 97. Her face reddened and she felt her neck get hot from the embarrassment.

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  The sound of a toilet flushing was heard, causing them to stiffen. Followed by the door to what she now knew was a bathroom sliding open and closed again. They tensed as the footsteps came back their way, but it was in vain as they continued going back the way they had originally come until they were out of hearing again. They listened intently but all was silent, even the muffled voices from before had stopped.

  Tanya took this opportunity to go through her and Visha’s gear. They both had their combat knives, first aid supplies, and basic orb maintenance kit. Their spare ammo pouches were empty, and they were missing their side arms as well. Tanya was grateful for that; the knives were going to be enough of a problem. She did not want to try and get rid of several guns and ammo as well.

  Visha had her ever present notebook in one pouch, and Tanya a spare change of socks as well as her silver wings assault badge and both had their officer pips denoting their ranks. They were missing all of their rations as well. Well one less thing to have to have to explain to the police if things went belly up with whoever was outside this room.

  Slipping her own shovel free, Tanya studied the doorlatch and noted that it was not designed to prevent tampering. Catching Visha’s eye, she nodded to a nearby lamp, which Visha promptly brought over. Grabbing it Tanya yanked the cord out of it as quietly as possible and began striping the wire down the middle with her knife to make it thinner.

  Manipulating the wire into a u shape she looped it through the gap between the door and the door frame sliding it behind then under the latch. Gripping both ends of the wire that now circled the latch, Tanya gently pulled on the latch until it slipped back into the door, opening the door for them. Visha eased the door open as Tanya glanced out checking all sightlines.

  “Clear” She whispered, before closing the door and relocking it. Motioning for them to go the opposite way the steps had come from. Traveling down the hall with Visha watching their back Tanya made to the open bathroom door glancing in. She gave Visha the signal for clear with her hand as she studied the bathroom. There were makeup and hair products on the sink, but Tanya noticed it was all low-quality cheap stuff.

  They moved on towards the end of the hall checking two doors on either side as they went. One was locked and they could hear no sounds coming from inside, the other was a linen closet. Then they came to an open doorway. The room was rather large with a table along one wall covered in various props and camera equipment. The rest of the room was having an identity crisis. There was a bed in one corner, then a school desk followed by a couch, exercise equipment and an office desk with folding screens folded against another wall.

  Tanya was ashamed it took her so long to figure it out, but when she did, she quickly pulled Visha out of the room all stealth forgotten for the moment. Back in the hall she shook the thoughts from her head as a sinking feeling settled into her gut.

  As they reached the end of the hall and turned the corner they began to hear a faint sound. At first Tanya thought she was hearing mice squeak but as they got closer to one room the sound became unmistakably that of someone whimpering quietly. Pressing her ear to the door as Visha remained on overwatch Tanya listened. She could hear the whimpering person more clearly as well as the sound of multiple people breathing and the rasping wheeze of someone snoring.

  Slowly testing the handle, she found it was locked but the doorknob had been reversed, putting control of the locking mechanism in the hall, just like the room they had been locked in. Unlocking the door Tanya eased it open while crouching low. There was a small squeak from the hinges, but it was lost among the other sounds of the room.

  Tanya was small in stature, so when she crouched her eye level was barely over sixty centimeters above the floor. Which put her perfectly in line to lock eyes with a young woman who lay across the room, resting with her back to the wall clutching a pillow to her chest. Even though they had locked eyes the woman gave no reaction just continued to stare vacantly through Tanya. There was a hollow dead look in her eyes, it reminded Tanya too much of men in the trenches who had suffered through too many shells.

  Looking around the rest of the room, she saw it was nearly full of futons occupied by mostly young girls and women with only two people that she could tell were boys. All seemed to be sleeping except for the whimperer and the dead eyed woman. Tanya was of half a mind to close the door before Visha could see and make their escape post haste. She definitely didn’t want to get involved in any part of whatever was going on here. But she had been told that there was an opportunity here to help herself, so she waited and pondered the situation.

  She needed more information, and here before her were some informants.

  Signaling Visha to remain quiet, she motioned her into the room and closed the door. Tanya moved over to the whimperer, who luckily was by the door. Leaning down she placed her hand over her mouth and gently shook her to get her attention. The girl was young Tanya noticed as her eyes widened in shock. While keeping the girl’s hands in the corner of her eye Tanya placed a finger to her own lips in the universal sign for quiet then smiled to reassure the girl. The girl’s eyes somehow got even wider, and she stiffened her hands freezing in their journey to the hand covering her mouth.

  At that moment Visha leaned over Tanya’s shoulder and gave her a smile and a nod, which seemed to settle her somewhat, since she lowered her hands. Leaning closer to the girl’s ear Tanya whispered.

  “We aren’t going to hurt you. We just got here and want to know what’s going on. If I move my hand, can you be quiet and answer some of our questions?”

  The girl nodded, so Tanya slowly removed her hand. Tanya would place her at no older than twelve, now that she got a good look at her face. With tears in her eyes the girl asked softly before Tanya could even ask her first question.

  “Are you with the police, are you her to save us?” Her voice was a soft whisper tinged with desperation.

  “Why don’t you tell us what’s going on here what you are doing here, and we’ll see if we can help you, ok?” Tanya asked, keeping her voice soft and non-threatening. She was now more certain about what was happening here, but she hoped it was wrong

  “They, they took me, I don’t know where we are they kept moving some of us from place to place every few days. I they do things I can hear it Sometimes people come and take one of us and they never come back. Sometimes it’s worse when they do, they, they aren’t the same. I’m so scared. I don’t want them to do that to me.”

  The girl was getting frantic, and her voice was rising. Making a snap decision, Tanya exerted some force knocking the girl out.

  Tanya turned to Visha who had a troubled look on her face. During the interrogation Visha remained vigilant as usual, but her observant mind had no doubt already begun putting the pieces together. Tanya pulled her down to whisper in her ear the results of the conversation. After hearing her translation, Tanya had to grip Visha’s arm hard as she felt her mana spike. Visha settled her mana after Tanya gave her a look, but her grip on her shovel creaked ominously.

  Tanya once more looked around the room. The young girl’s accent had been from Okinawa, and on closer inspection there were a few foreigners mixed in with the others in the room. The beginnings of a plan was forming in Tanya’s head. Now she just needed to inform Visha of her new orders.

  It took multiple attempts to pull Visha from the room. In the end Tanya had to go so far as to assure her verbally that they would not abandon them. Getting back to their room was done much faster now that they weren’t checking every room, but they were still cautious. Closing the door Tanya pulled Visha into a seated position on the remaining futon.

  “Colonel, we have to do something about this.”

  “We will Visha, but before that, you need to start referring to me as Tanya. It will be critical for the mission going forward that we do not act like military personnel.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Visha, this is a modern society, we have rules, regulations and laws that dwarf anything that the Empire or the military ever dreamed of. This country in particular has a very strict Immigration policy that makes it very difficult for foreigners to get though without some sort of legal, economic or social backing.

  That God was telling the truth when he said he put us in a place to help us get started. Furthermore, we have found the “others” that he wanted us to help out as well. Visha tensed at the reminder of the girls in the other room and what had been done to them.

  “Now we are apparently involved in some sort of human trafficking situation, and what’s better...”

  Tanya saw Visha twitch at her phrasing.

  “What’s better for us Visha, I know this is not a good situation. What’s better for us is that there are foreigners mixed in and involved in all this. Visha, we have no papers, no identification, no birth certificates, there is nowhere on this earth we can point to tell people where we come from or how we got here. That alone would have made it very difficult for us to get anywhere in the system. But now, we are just a couple of young girls who have been taken by human traffickers. To the government, that put us squarely in the victim category and with that we can apply for all kinds of help and be subject to all sorts of exemptions for providing documentation.”

  “I don’t really follow col, um Tanya. Your saying getting kidnaped by slavers is a good thing for us?”

  “That’s right Visha, once we are “rescued” from the kidnapers we will receive massive public sympathy. Moreover, who are the police going to return us to after we have been rescued. We have no family and there is no country that claims us as their citizens. Japan will be stuck accepting us as refugees, and with my ability to prove my “Father” was a Japanese citizen at least my citizenship can be expedited, allowing me to sponsor you for citizenship.”

  “Won’t that mean you will be handed over to your grandparents?”

  Tanya hesitated after hearing Visha’s question. She had avoided thinking about her parents ever since that God had mentioned him being biologically related to them. His feelings for them were complicated, and they just became more so with the situation they were in. Ultimately, she decided to put off this whole line of thought until later.

  “We will cross that bridge when we get to it. Our plan is as follows: First, we must secure our safety by eliminating all hostiles in the area. This will also ensure that no one is alive to contradict our story, remember not even the kidnappers know where we came from. Let’s make sure they can’t tell anyone that. Second, our rescue and the rescue of the other victims. We need to blend in with them without standing out more than we already do. We do not want to be mistaken as being part of this criminal group, and since none of the other captives have seen us be mistreated, we are going to have to commit to a bit of acting. Thirdly, this is the most important. We must come up with a convincing backstory, and we both have to stick to it.

  “Now we caught a bit of a break here, because you don’t speak Japanese, so for the first few encounters they will probably allow me to act as a translator for you. Let’s have you act very dependent of me and really lean into it. That should hopefully keep them from separating us too much. Give me a few minutes to think up our cover stories, go watch the door please.”

  Visha went to salute but checked herself halfway and simply nodded, moving to the door.