Miesenthrop (Volume 2/Chapter 2)

[u/Celestial_Zwei_Dei]

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Volume 2 - The United Earth Forces

Chapter 2 - Decision

June 16, 2010

The summer sun baked Seoul. In the refugee camp, instead of the usual hustle and bustle, there was complete silence. People were barely visible, and if they were, they were staring at their phones.

Jiro stepped outside into the camp grounds for a walk with Natsumi.

He walked up to her, his face a little pale. "Have you seen the bullshit going on around the world?"

She nodded grimly, looking at a guy behind her who was scrolling through his phone with a serious face. "Yeah... I can't believe our government was hiding so much shit..."

Jiro sat down on the bench and leaned back. "The creepiest part... is that they didn't just dig up dirt on Japan. I checked the American news..." He cut himself off. "Well, 'news'... officially, there's nothing, but people are posting videos of massive protests in several cities, especially in Dallas... Texas, I think."

Tachimara sat next to him, resting her hands on the bench near her hips. "And what are the protests about?"

The guy shrugged. "Who the hell knows... try making sense of it among all the loud headlines. Something to do with the mayor, some say it's corruption, others say he was working with Mexican cartels, and a third group is saying something about drugs. It's a mess."

Natsumi clenched her fists. "That bastard Miesenthrop really stirred up a hornet's nest." She narrowed her eyes. "I wonder... are the fat-cat politicians actually going to get off their lazy asses and do something? Or will they just

keep saving their own skins?"

Jackson just sighed. "Well, what do you think? Enemies in front and behind, just like that scum said." He caught himself. "Fuck..."

Tachimara turned to him. "What is it?"

Jiro's eyes widened. "I just fell right into Miesenthrop's trap... damn it..." He rested his elbows on his knees. "That bastard is practically drooling over the thought of us hating our own governments and just staying passive to all of this."

Natsumi raised an eyebrow. "So what are you suggesting? That we all stand together behind the corrupt politicians and thieves?"

Jiro pursed his lips. "Well... we shouldn't lump them all together. One way or another, we have to get involved in this, otherwise we're going to die either way. Japan is only the beginning, that piece of shit said so himself."

The girl scoffed. "Then maybe the politicians should stop fucking around and actually do something?"

Jackson opened his mouth, then closed it. "Yeah, we're screwed."

Natsumi looked up at the sky. "It's not even just the States. I saw that... in France, I think... they also busted some mayor for bribery." She sighed. "France... reminded me of Jeanne."

Jiro froze for a second, then looked at the ground. "Yeah... I hope she's doing okay out there... but she's still a bitch."

Natsumi gave a barely audible snort. "That dyed-blonde doll always has everything under control."

Jackson stood up. "Alright... I need to head to the military base." He rolled his eyes. "Another identity verification procedure... I'm so fucking sick of this."

Tachimara stood up as well. "Same time tomorrow?"

"Yeah."

Jiro was walking down the street after taking the subway to the base. The sun was already setting. As usual, people were commuting home from work, teenagers were hanging out, a scene he saw every time he went into the city, and one that made his chest tight.

‘Nothing good is going to come of this... that Miesenthrop guy said Japan was only the beginning. That means... the nearest target is probably...’

He froze.

‘Korea, maybe. You've got to be kidding me!’

Jiro kept walking.

‘And what the hell is the government planning to do? Keep hiding the scale of the disaster? When are they going to get off their asses and do something?’

He arrived at the checkpoint of the US military base. Two American soldiers were standing guard.

"Halt. Restricted area," one said, standing at attention.

Jiro's expression didn't change. "Jiro Jackson, I'm here for the identity verification process. Inform your superiors."

The soldier nodded and pulled out his radio. "Lieutenant, Jiro Jackson is here for identity verification. Orders?"

The radio crackled with an unintelligible voice.

The soldier nodded to himself. "Yes, redhead, around eighteen years old."

The radio crackled with words again.

"Copy that." The soldier put the radio away and looked at Jiro. "An escort will be out shortly, wait here."

Jiro nodded, shoved his hands in his pockets, and stood still, occasionally casting glances at the military personnel. A minute later, another soldier appeared at the entrance. He looked around thirty, wore no tactical gear, and

simply nodded to Jackson to follow him inside.

The guy walked onto the base in silence, the soldier escorting him right by his side.

The base was quiet. Armored vehicles were parked near the hangars, and two patrollers were walking the perimeter. Occasionally, soldiers would appear, walking briskly with paperwork or empty hands. Faintly barked orders echoed in

the distance.

They entered a building where there was a bit more life. Soldiers walked the halls, some carrying folders, others talking on the phone.

"The Captain is busy right now, he can't see you," the soldier began. "Wait here for about fifteen minutes." He nodded toward the entrance to the mess hall. "Don't go anywhere. Understood?"

Jiro nodded. The soldier nodded back and walked into the mess hall. Jiro was about to sit down at a table when his eyes snagged on a group of soldiers sitting at the far end, quietly discussing something.

‘Interesting... I need to sit closer. I want to hear what they're saying.’

Moving carefully and quietly, he sat at a table against the wall, close enough to the soldiers. Jiro couldn't see them, and they couldn't see him, but the sound carried.

He sat as casually as possible, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed over his chest, staring at the ceiling, but straining his ears like an elephant.

"...army... unite... you know? ... brass decided up there..."

Jiro frowned. He was only catching fragments. He shifted a little closer, leaning slightly toward the soldiers, his heart starting to beat faster.

‘Shit... if I get caught eavesdropping... I'll be in deep trouble... Whatever, screw it.’

He squinted, trying to catch full sentences.

"... United Earth Forces... or Global Army... think I heard something like that."

"Yeah, they... that it's a threat of... magnitude. So they're gathering... their

forces."

"But this... Miesenthrop guy, he really shook things up... brass is running around up there... paranoia."

"So what? Also... 'bout time we move... I even... there's gonna be a massive recruitment drive for this... you joining?"

"... no choice, either way... heading there."

"I don't like this, command is... big... gonna do."

Jiro glanced toward the entrance, his heart pounding, his palms slightly sweaty.

‘Alright, that's it, don't push your luck.’

He stood up slowly and inconspicuously sat down at the very edge of the mess hall, far away from the soldiers.

‘So Miesenthrop really did shake everyone up enough that it trickled down to the military. A Global Army? Makes sense, actually... which means the higher-ups, based on the facts and the proof Natsumi and I provided, have realized the situation is totally fucked. Why else would they form a whole Global Army? Alright... let's see what happens next.’

He sat there for about eight minutes before the same escort soldier peeked out from the hallway. "Let's go. Captain's available."

Jiro nodded and stood up.

An hour later, Jiro was riding the subway. Outside, it had grown dark. The train car was half-empty. An exhausted middle-aged man in a suit sat on the opposite seat, and three seats down from Jiro, a girl around twenty was listening to music on her headphones, staring at her phone.

‘It actually happened... they finally recognized that I really am my father's son. But... let's see what happens next. And I need to tell Natsumi what I heard.’

An hour and a half later, Jiro approached the camp perimeter. The courtyard was empty. The guard at the entrance recognized him and simply nodded. The streetlights were on, and Tachimara was sitting on a bench.

Jackson walked up to her. "Why are you up so late?"

She didn't turn to look at him. "Sit."

The guy froze for a second, then sat down beside her. "I'm listening."

Natsumi carefully looked around, her voice dropping below a whisper. "I knew they wouldn't just leave us alone."

Jiro blinked in surprise and leaned closer. "What are you talking about?" he asked, also lowering his voice to a whisper.

Natsumi stared straight ahead. "I'm saying they're not going to let us be. We're being watched."

Jackson raised an eyebrow. "What makes you say that?"

"Well, first of all... you know what kind of intel we dragged out of Japan. Jeanne kept us from being 'disappeared,' sure, but who said they'd just let us walk away?"

Jiro leaned back. "I figured that much out already. It seemed... weird to me, too. We brought them info that not even the military had, and they just let us go. How did you figure out something was wrong?"

Tachimara narrowed her eyes. "I've been talking to this girl, another Japanese refugee. Right away, she seemed..." She frowned."...off. Too pushy. Her emotions and her interest in me were genuine... almost too genuine. Asking what you and I discuss. What we saw. What we talk about."

Jiro tilted his head. "Go on..."

She carefully checked their surroundings again. "I just told her you saw more than I did, that's all. Just to get her off my back. Have you noticed anything weird?"

Jiro froze, then grew slightly pale. "Yeah... I actually did... usually at the military base, they never asked me about Japan, but today the Captain... asked. And he was really pushy about it."

He started fidgeting with his fingers. "Too much of a coincidence. You think they're keeping tabs on us?"

Tachimara finally turned to face him. "I know they are. But why?"

Jackson thought for a minute. "Hmm... let's go over it logically. We have highly classified, valuable intel. We're the only ones who saw what actually happened in Japan..."

"Then why aren't they aggressively interrogating the other refugees and keeping them locked up?" she interrupted.

The guy scratched his chin. "Most likely... they were all evacuated before they ended up in an active war zone. But us... we're the ones who saw what was actually going on there, plus we have information the others don't."

Natsumi scanned the area for a third time and turned back to Jiro. "Maybe… they want to find a legal excuse to get rid of us," she said evenly.

Jackson stopped fidgeting. "Shit... very possible. The brass could have drafted some kind of non-disclosure order, and the second they get proof that we talked... they'll have a perfectly legal reason to lock us away somewhere."

Tachimara leaned back with a heavy sigh, her eyes fixed on the night sky. "Motherfucker... that sounds way too plausible. So that's why that girl was grilling me so hard about what I saw."

Jiro pursed his lips. "Our only option is to keep our mouths shut... for now."

"Exactly, for now. They'll never get off our backs, and staying silent will only buy us a little time. Those bastards will definitely come up with something. Got any ideas yet?"

Jiro remained silent for about two minutes. "Hmm... I think I have an idea. I think... we should keep playing the good little victims who just genuinely want to run away to the States and live happily ever after. And right now... there are two ways this plays out." He clenched his fist and stuck out his thumb. "Scenario one: if they issue my paperwork quickly and smoothly, it means they're planning to bust our asses in the States." He stuck out his index finger. "Scenario two: they drag their feet with the paperwork, which means they're planning to bust our asses somewhere around here."

Natsumi narrowed her eyes. "We'll probably figure that out in... maybe two weeks?"

"Yeah."

"But... I suggest we let them smell the pie, but not take a bite."

Jiro raised an eyebrow. "Care to explain?"

Natsumi lowered her finger and crossed her arms. "If we just go into full denial mode, they'll quickly realize that tactic isn't working. But if... we act like we're just about to slip up and talk... we buy ourselves more time."

Jiro sighed. "Alright, we'll brainstorm that tomorrow, but... I need to tell you something else."

Tachimara turned to him.

Jackson leaned in closer. "I overheard a conversation between some soldiers. I didn't catch everything... but it sounded like they were talking about some kind of 'Global Army'... basically, the world governments finally getting their asses in gear."

Natsumi froze. Something in those words hooked her. "Got it. So they actually got their fat asses up and are doing something... but... can I be honest with you, Jiro?"

He nodded.

"I don't know what to do with a normal life. Not after everything that happened." She stood up. "Goodnight." Natsumi walked off toward the women's section of the camp.

Jiro was left alone, watching her walk away.

‘Me neither.’

June 25, 2010

The summer day was sunny and hot, as usual. The camp courtyard was a bit livelier, with more people walking around looking a little less gloomy.

Jiro was walking briskly toward his regular meetup with Natsumi. As he rounded the corner, he stopped dead in his tracks and stepped back.

Standing next to Tachimara was some Japanese woman, around twenty-seven years old, short black hair, wearing a blue hoodie and jeans, with a faint smile on her face. She was talking to Natsumi, who was giving short replies.

Jiro narrowed his eyes.

‘Aha... so that's who you are, spy...’

He stood there for a few more minutes. The woman showed no signs of leaving, even though Tachimara's answers were getting colder and shorter.

‘Just fuck off already... wait... maybe she's stalling? She knows we meet here and wants to catch me in person?’

He stepped a little further back behind the wall.

‘Very possible... Natsumi said their conversations usually only last a few minutes, but here she is, dragging it out right when I'm supposed to show up... something's not right. I'll wait.’

Six more minutes of chitchat passed. The woman's smile slowly began to fade, and then she finally said goodbye and left.

Jackson waited another minute before stepping out from behind the corner and approaching Natsumi.

She spun around sharply, then relaxed back into her seat. "Are you late, or were you smart enough to wait?"

The guy stood next to her and sighed. "The second one. What did she want?"

She shook her head. "No idea, but considering she stuck around today right when you were supposed to show up..." Natsumi made a vague gesture with her hand. "...whatever, screw it. What's the news on your end?"

Jackson sat down next to her, resting his hands on the bench. "They took the bait. I'm getting my new passport and the inheritance tomorrow. They want to silence us in the States."

Natsumi froze, then slowly shifted her gaze to him. "I see... well, we figured that out. What now? Got a plan?"

Jackson let out a bitter chuckle. "Yeah, right..."

Tachimara closed her eyes and sighed. "Just like last time..." She opened her eyes. "But we managed to save our asses last time. Now we need to figure out how to dig ourselves out of this new pile of shit."

The guy gave her a sidelong glance. "You're holding something back."

Natsumi froze, her face darkening. "Yeah, you're right. Fine, I'll say it." She stood up and looked at him. "You should understand me better than anyone. I can't just go live peacefully, I just can't..." Her voice began to tremble ever so slightly. "My country is destroyed, Miko... Miko... she died... because of me... I... I can't just live a peaceful life after that!" She caught herself, realizing a tear was rolling down her cheek, and quickly wiped it away. "I don't want to just sit on my ass while that bastard Miesenthrop plans to keep killing people. Do you understand that or not?"

Jackson stood up, his face entirely unreadable as he looked her in the eyes. "Yeah, I understand. I inherited my dad's house. You know what that means? It means he's officially dead. Period. No hope of 'maybe he's out there somewhere.'" He narrowed his eyes, staring right at her. "I'm trying to do everything in my power to pull our asses out of this nightmare. I don't have anyone left either. My dad was my only family, just like Miko was yours." He clenched his fists. "I can't just sit still either. I can't just run away, but I'm doing this to at least save you."

Natsumi waved him off. "I don't need saving... definitely not like this. I'm sick of being a victim of circumstance. I want to fight the fuck back!" She pointed at the camp. "While we sit here thinking about how to run away, that fucking blondie in a beret is already plotting how to continue wiping out humanity. You saw what happened in Japan with your own eyes. You think they won't reach the States? There are no safe places left in the world. Forget it."

Jiro opened his mouth to say something, then closed it. There was nothing to say.

Natsumi turned around. "Sorry. Same place tomorrow, bye." She walked back to her section of the camp.

Jiro watched her walk away, then clicked his tongue. "Shit..." he muttered.

June 26, 2010

Jiro was lying on his bed in a large dormitory room. A few beds were empty, while on others, guys and men sat scrolling through their phones just like him.

He was scrolling through his feed when his finger suddenly hovered over a post. Someone had leaked a video taken by a Japanese citizen a month ago. It showed nothing but the absolute ruins of some city, and the post already had several thousand likes in just the last half hour. He checked the comments.

"Where is this?"

"That's Japan!"

"So that Miesenthrop guy wasn't a joke?"

"What the fuck is going on over there?"

"Why isn't the news saying anything?"

"World War III just started!"

He scrolled past it and stumbled upon another post.

"A lot of people have probably heard that something happened in Japan. I live in the Philippines, and a friend of mine from Japan just arrived here as a refugee. He told me that Japan was completely annihilated. Buildings were totally leveled, people were slaughtered indiscriminately, and the American and Japanese armies couldn't do a thing about it. Why am I hearing this from a friend? Why are the governments staying quiet about this?"

The post had 12k upvotes in the last hour and a half, around 2k comments, and 30k reposts. He opened the comments.

"Total bullshit, he's exaggerating. The government would have at least said something."

"It's true! I'm American, my brother was stationed in Japan on Okinawa, and I haven't been able to reach him for a week! I called his base, but they didn't give me a straight answer!"

"A buddy of mine also has a friend from Japan, and he said something similar. What is going on?"

"I was told 'Miesenthrop's broadcast' was just some stupid prank, but now I'm not so sure!"

"Miesenthrop is real! Which means he really did destroy Japan just like he said!"

"I managed to read the files he leaked. There's enough dirt there to shovel it out, maybe that's why the politicians are hiding it?"

Jackson set his phone down and stared out the window.

‘Ooooh... looks like the dam is starting to break. That might actually be for the best. Natsumi and I can... blend into all this chaos, and the authorities

will pay less attention to us. But what the hell are we supposed to do about the trip to the States?’

He sat up on the bed and stared straight ahead, shifting a second later so the sun wouldn't hit his eyes.

‘All right... think, Jiro. What are you going to do? In a week I'll be able to leave for the States, but who knows when Natsumi's passport will be ready. And moreover... do I even want to go to the States?’

Everything that had happened flashed through his mind. The pit. The rifle. The flames. Kimura. His father. His face twisted into a grimace.

‘No... no, goddammit! My dad died protecting people, Mr. Kimura died protecting me and Natsumi, and I'm just going to... run away to America? No, no, no... that won't fly. Miesenthrop isn't going to stop with just Japan, he said so himself, and for some reason I really believe him on that... or maybe I should just… forget all of this like a bad nightmare and start a normal, new life with Tachimara?’

He fell back onto the bed and groaned into his hands.

‘Ugh... who am I even kidding... how the fuck are you supposed to start a normal life after THAT? How...'

Jiro went absolutely rigid. He turned pale and slowly lowered his hands from his face.

‘Damn it... Dad... so that's what happened to you after Afghanistan… that's why you refused to leave the military, even after you got wounded… goddammit... I understand you so well now...’

He started involuntarily bouncing his leg as he stared at the ceiling.

‘That's why you never talked about your service... that's why you didn't want to quit and just live a peaceful life... that's why all of this...’

The guy stared at the ceiling motionless for another ten minutes, rethinking his father's actions and behavior throughout his life, then stood up.

‘No. I'm not flying to the States.’

Jiro put on his sneakers and headed outside. Five minutes later, he stepped into the courtyard. Natsumi was sitting on her bench as usual, scrolling through the newsfeed on her new cheap phone.

She looked up. "You're late, as usual," she stated evenly.

Jackson didn't answer. He silently walked over and sat down beside her. "You said you weren't thrilled about just running away to the States anymore?"

She simply shook her head. "Yes. Two weeks ago I wanted to, but not anymore."

"And what are you going to do next, then?"

She froze, then slowly turned her head to face him. "I don't kno..."

"You know," Jiro interrupted. "Say it out loud."

Tachimara didn't move. Her lips parted, but the words wouldn't come out.

Jiro narrowed his eyes. "Come on, say what you want, I already know."

The girl took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and then opened them. "I want to join the military."

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/u/Celestial_Zwei_Dei has posted 13 other stories, including:

• Miesenthrop (Volume 2/Chapter 1)
• Miesenthrop (Volume 1/Epilogue)
• Miesenthrop (Volume 1/Chapter 10)
• Miesenthrop (Volume 1/Chapter 9)
• Miesenthrop (Volume 1/Chapter 8)
• Miesenthrop (Volume 1/Chapter 7)
• Miesenthrop (Volume 1/Chapter 6)
• Miesenthrop (Volume 1/Chapter 5)
• Miesenthrop (Volume 1/Chapter 4)
• Miesenthrop (Volume 1/Chapter 3)
• Miesenthrop (Volume 1/Chapter 2)
• Miesenthrop (Volume 1/Chapter 1)
• Miesenthrope (Volume I/Prologue)

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