Concept date: 27th October, 2019
First published: 16th August, 2020.Status: COMPLETED.
Version: STANDARD.
Age recommendation: 15+
Average Reading Time: Approximately 30 Minutes.
Average Reading Time: Approximately 30 Minutes.
Revisions: 4. [Last Edit: November 2020]
Angel-in-charge: James Team Assigned: Team 74
Age 15+
Angel-in-charge: James Team Assigned: Team 74
Human Time: 1941AD-1359AH Mission: 159237 - 4 - 9298
HISSION SUMMARY: "On December 18th 1941, the Imperial Japanese Army invaded the British Crown colony of Hong Kong. On Christmas Eve, a small band of English soldiers, accompanied by three army nurses escaped into the jungle to rendezvous with an Australian submarine off the coast. A condemned prisoner was also taken with them; Private John Hook faced the death penalty for killing his officer during the fighting. Jericho and his team are dispatched because what John Hook did on that desperate journey, should never have happened!"
NOTES: This episode contains strong language and very strong sexual references, including serious sexual assaults.
"Some of the scenes described within this narrative are actually based upon true events. They could be quite upsetting for some readers, as they contain brutal sexual assaults and horrific deaths. Many of the names and characters have been changed to protect the innocent and sadly, that also causes the guilty to be protected."
"This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead or actual events is purely coincidental." The Author.
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| 30 Min. |
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| Book series 4. |
"THE REDEMPTION (ALMOST) OF PRIVATE JOHN HOOK."
1. THE 'TENNIS CLUB' - A TEMPORARY MILITARY HOSPITAL.
The young nurse ran down the corridor, past the full stretchers of newly arrived wounded and her frantic colleagues, trying to cope with yet another influx of casualties. Nurse Ruth Chambers, newly arrived in Hong Kong, gripped the two small keys in her hand and stopped outside the private room. A hastily written note in chalk declared; 'POW - No Entry.' was hanging from the door. The guard was gone, now probably dead or wounded in the fighting that neared the makeshift hospital. She fumbled with the lock for a few seconds and finally managed to get the damn door open, bursting into the room. "You've got to run for it! The bloody Japanese are coming up the road; they'll be here in minutes."
Private John Devlin Hook, aged 23 years and under arrest for the apparent murder of his Platoon officer, jumped from the bed and held up his handcuffed wrist; "Sorry darling, i can't go anywhere unless I drag this bloody bed with me!" He shouted and shook his arm violently; the small metal bed rattled and slid across the floor a few inches. John Hook was quite a powerful man, fit from army life and boxing. The nurse didn't say anything but threw John the two keys and ran back out the door. John could now hear gunfire and small explosions; nearby and approaching.
He realised immediately that the small silver key, next to the door key would fit the handcuffs. he actually chuckled and muttered; "Fucking good on you Ruthie, you fucking came through for old Hooky boy!" The young nurse had been kind to the condemned man, bringing him extra portions of ice cream and paperback books. She had dressed his wounded shoulder and gave him painkillers.
"A fucking good decent soul." He said softly; not a bit like him. But there had been several 'good and decent' fuckers in his patrol that 2nd lieutenant Clifford Rees-Davis had abandoned to die, defending the small petrol dump. The bastard had simply ran away and John Hook had gone after him. He shot the cowardly fucker without hesitation and now faced death by hanging. He would have been hung tomorrow morning, but the invading Japanese Army, arriving suddenly, had thwarted that particular little show for the top brass, who John hated.
John hastily unlocked himself and grabbed up his shirt and small kitbag; then made for the hospital grounds. He ran past abandoned ambulances and blood stained trucks, some still filled with wounded, who shouted at him for help and water. He ignored their pleas and dived into the small monsoon ditch. On his hands and knees, he made his way along the ditch, but stopped suddenly and pulled leaves and bushes down upon himself. He was hardly breathing, as he watched the Japanese officer and about two dozen men, approach the doors of the temporary hospital. They had their bayonets fixed and looked battle weary and a little angry. They had been fighting for years in China and now, they had the bloody British Empire to fight. That made John smile a little. That's when he saw the two doctors with a large stick; a white pillow case tied to one end. They were waving it frantically, with their free hands in the air.
They were shot dead where they stood and two Japanese soldiers finished them off with bayonets. John Cussed under his breath and watched the soldiers enter the hospital. He cowed down as more and more shots rang out. He knew there was no fighting British soldiers in there; just patients, doctors, nurses and unarmed medical staff. The shooting continued for a couple of minutes; then a really ominous silence came over the place. John eased himself up a little and thought about making a run for it, but three Japanese trucks had turned up with about six or seven soldiers scattered amongst them. John thought the empty trucks would be for prisoners and maybe, the wounded.
That's when he saw the two nurses being dragged from the hospital by half a dozen laughing and shouting Japanese soldiers. They ripped the nurse's uniforms off and left the two young women in just their army issue stockings. They were thrown to the ground and the rape party started. The screaming and sobbing made John clench and unclench his fists and curse repeatedly. Each girl was brutally, raped, punched and slapped by maybe six or seven men. When the soldiers had finished, two of the men pissed over the prostrate women; giggling loudly and slapping each other. The two girls were hauled up and thrown into the back of a truck; John could see little puddles of blood upon the gravel driveway.
He watched, filled with useless and helpless anger, as another two young nurses were dragged out and the whole dreadful scene was repeated. Except one young woman tried to escape. She somehow managed to throw off the two soldiers who ere holding her down for their colleagues to violate. She ran a few yards before being shot dead. A soldier ran up to the body and kicked it violently, Then pulled his bayonet from his rifle and stabbed and chopped at the body for a few minutes. The other nurse, screaming hysterically was raped by nearly a dozen men and thrown, still and almost lifeless into the back of the truck, with her two friends.
Another two women were dragged out and yet again, brutally raped and beaten before John's eyes, which were now filled with tears. He wasn't an emotional man by any means [except anger maybe] but the sights before him, placed a large rock in his stomach and throat.
This went on until nightfall; two girls each time including the grim faced Sister, who the officer took first. Punching her and shouting, as he sodomised her in front of the other sobbing nurse and his cheering soldiers. After their ordeal, both women were thrown upon the truck with the other girls. When they had no new girls to rape, the Japanese and their trucks pulled away, with the bruised and battered nurses aboard and only about half a dozen soldiers remained to guard the silent buildings.
John lay in the ditch, head in hands, and slowly realised that he had not seen young 'Ruthie' amongst the violated women. He knew he had to find out about her; even if it caused more pain and anguish to him. He resolved to check out the hospital under the cover of darkness. But first he needed a weapon. One Japanese soldier - probably a corporal - was drinking sake by the large ornamental flower pots, near the hospital's side door. What caught John's eye was his pistol holster and belt.
John flexed his fingers and quietly removed his leather belt. He made his way to the unsuspecting soldier, crawling on his belly. He was that close to the soldier that he could hear the man chuckling to himself. He had no idea that John Hook was behind him. John flexed his belt and struck. The soldier took about a minute to die, thrashing about and struggling in the gravel in almost silence. The belt had prevented any shouts for help as John strangled him. John pulled the body behind the pots and stripped it of anything useful - especially the pistol - then noticed the specks of blood around the soldiers crotch. He grunted with satisfaction; "Hope you enjoyed those poor bitches my friend. You won't fuck anyone else." He muttered to himself and disappeared into the side door of the tennis Club, turned hospital.
There were bodies everywhere; on stretchers and in beds. The soldiers of Imperial Japan had butchered the sick and wounded with bullets and bayonets. He passed a young native nurse sprawled across a dead Australian soldier in his bed. She had clearly tried to protect the man and had been savagely bayonetted to death. John just shook his head and crept down the corridor and suddenly realised he could hear faint crying in the dark. With moonlight streaming through the windows, he could just make out the sign on the door; it was the morgue.
He quietly and slowly pushed on the door and crept in. In the far corner were huddled three nurses; all crying softly. To his immense relief, one was 'Ruthie'. She simply stared at John and then ran across the floor on her hands and knees; grabbing his legs. He ran his fingers through her long dark hair and whispered; "Your safe now, but we need to get the bloody hell out of here!"
The three young nurses had actually hid in the morgue drawers, along with cold dead bodies, as the soldiers searched the hospital. Lt. Ruth Chambers had managed to compose herself and her calm, had helped the other two nurses, to deal with the terrible situation they found themselves in. Lt. Patricia [Big Pat] Collins and Lt. Dawn Baines both gripped John by the shoulder and hand. He could see the look of utter terror and fear upon their faces. They had seen what happened to their colleagues; through the small morgue window.
Dawn gripped his hand and whispered; "You will use that on me, if we're about to be captured by...by those...by those animals." She gestured to his pistol. John just nodded and told the women to follow him. They stopped and watched the Japanese soldiers set fire to the hospital; they wanted to hide their evil deeds and fire could do that.
The little group managed to avoid the many Japanese troops that were patrolling the small road, that lead up towards the mountains, thanks to John's skill in the jungle. By a derelict school they came upon a British Patrol; also trying to make the mountain road. John could not believe his bad luck; they were from his old Regiment and the young Captain certainly knew who he was.
2. THE BAND OF LITTLE HOPE.
Captain Frank Ames pointed his pistol at private Hook and held out his other hand; "The gun you bastard or I'll shoot you down like the dog you are." John just stared at the young captain and shook his head. "The fucking Japanese are all over the place. Do you know what they did at the temporary hospital? Your going to need every man with a gun." The captain nodded, the pistol not moving from John; "I know what they did and I know what you did. The gun now." He said and gestured for his sergeant to take John's pistol and holster. Sergeant Campbell walked over and held out his hand. John chuckled and pulled off the belt and handed it to the sergeant. "How are you Donald?" He asked. The sergeant nodded and said softly; "Better for having you back, you mad bastard." and returned to the officer with the pistol belt.
The officer lowered his pistol and placed it back in his side holster. He threw John's gun to a young, skinny private who had no weapon. "Look after that Hanie's." The young soldier nodded and wiped his nose on the back of his hand. John turned to Ruth and said softly; "Most of these boys are no better than boy scouts. Just arrived from England. There's only me, the sarge, big Alec Kent and little 'Spider' Murphy that's been in the jungle and had a set too with the bloody nips. The rest look like they couldn't fight their way out of a wet paper bag." He sighed, adding; "Bloody cannon fodder." Ruth looked concerned and whispered; "What about the captain?" John grunted; "Straight out of Sandhurst. He wasn't at the fight party. Sitting in battalion HQ sharping his bloody pencil's I expect."
The captain smiled at the nurses' and asked if they would attend some of the men, they had minor injuries, but it would be nice to have them seen too. Ruth turned to the other girls and they set about tending the boys with minor cuts and bruises. Captain Ames turned to John; "I can't lock you up. But you step out of line just once and I'll shoot you. Do you understand that you murdering bastard?" John just smiled at him and went over to some felled tree's and sat down. The sergeant threw him a canteen of water and John asked him for a fag. The pair lit up a single cigarette and smoked it between them. "He's actually not bad for a green one. Got us out of the depot when the japs paid us a visit. Kept his head, made the right decisions." He breathed out some smoke - not smiling - and added; "Besides, He's all we got and only he knows the call sign and radio code for that fucking Aussie sub."
Now that did grab John's attention; "What fucking Aussie sub?" He asked with real interest. The sergeant smiled; "He managed to get hold of a Aussie sub, they'll pick us up - if we make Kanyo Point - in three days. That's going to be some feat, with Jap's crawling up our arse's and towing three bloody women." John nodded; finishing the cigarette; "Don't worry about the girls, after what they witnessed, they'll crawl on their fucking bellies to get away from the nips." The sergeant chuckled and re-joined his men.
The captain was getting everyone together. They were moving out. The captain shouted at John; "On your feet Hook and keep in front of me, where I can see you. I don't want you behind my bloody back." John smiled and slowly walked over to the little group of very desperate people. "It will be my pleasure to join your ragged arse command of trained jungle killers." The sarcasm in his voice was obvious. The captain just grunted and the little band moved back into the jungle. The sergeant leading, with John close by.
John looked back at Ruth, helping a limping young soldier along and smiled. She had woken something in him, that he had not felt for a long time about a woman. He cursed his bloody luck; it had to happen now, in the middle of war, chased by fucking murdering japs and facing the hangman's noose. He actually chuckled to himself; "Keep a grip hooky boy." They made slow progress and night was falling fast. They dived for cover several times as Japanese aircraft passed overhead. The jungle vanished into the darkness of night and the group had to stop; there would be no comforting fires, hot food or shelter. They huddled together beneath some really big trees and settled in for the night.
The captain knelt under his pulled off jacket, with the sergeant and by weak torchlight, examined the map. The priority was reaching Kanyo Point and keeping the radio safe. The sergeant nodded; he had given that crucial job to big Alec. It was in safe hands. Then there was the officer murder; Private John Hook. What was to be done with him? The sergeant sighed; "Sir, if there's a fucking fight in the jungle, then I want that murdering bastard right next to me." The officer nodded. The sergeant was a good man, experienced in the jungle and already had seen fierce fighting twice. That was good enough for him.
John and big Alec stood the first watch. They sat a little way from the camp and watched the jungle trail. Big Alec chuckled and whispered; "If you hadn't shot that bastard, I would have done. But not in front of bloody witness's you mad bastard." John slapped his big shoulder and stared out into the darkness. Just after midnight; john rubbed his tired eyes and then stiffened; his was now fully awake. He gently tapped big Alec. "I can hear something." He whispered.
Alec shook and brushed off his tiredness. They lay hardly breathing and listened. John was right, someone was creeping through the jungle; heading right for their little camp. Pat raised his rifle and very slowly and quietly pulled the bolt back and forward. he was ready to shoot. John tapped his shoulder again and gestured to the jungle. "Let's not wake up the world until we know who that is." He whispered. Alec nodded and John slipped away.
he found the slight figure just yards from their position, carefully working it's way through the thick, clinging vegetation. John smiled to himself; Your good, but I'm better. He said to himself. A jap prisoner might be very useful. He had a pretty good idea that this jap was lost and didn't have a rifle. He crept forward, slowly and quietly. Then jumped. He had the figure on their back in an instant, hand across mouth and arm held tight. He grabbed the fellows shirt and received quite a surprise; he was gripping a wonderful big breast, with the large nipple between his fingers. He stared hard and slowly moved his hand about to make sure; yes it was a woman's breast. The woman sighed; "You can remove your bloody hand from my tits now private." It was an Australian nurse!
They sat up and John stared hard at her; she adjusted her blouse and cussed; she had a couple of buttons missing. She gave him a very unpleasant look; "You realise, that thanks to you, I'll be walking around with my bloody boobs hanging out." She whispered and pulled down her dirty skirt. John caught a glimpse of white panties and really did smile. "Captain Alex Cappanni, 31st Australian Field Hospital. And who are you. my groping private?" John chuckled; "Ex-Private John Hook Ma'am. It's very nice to meet you."
She stared at him; "Ex Private?" She asked. He nodded; "Long story, We best get back to camp before big Alec starts shooting." He jumped up and held out his hand. She gripped it tightly and he pulled her up. He could see her magnificent breasts, barely hidden by her torn blouse in the moonlight. She saw where he looking and held the blouse together with one hand. "When you've finished enjoying the view, shall we get moving?" John chuckled; "What a fucking woman!" Then realised, he still had a firm grip on her hand. She gently pulled it from him and followed, as he headed for the camp; whispering for Alec to stand down.
3. REINFORCEMENTS; WELL, SORT OF.
The three young nurses were absolutely delighted to see the captain stride into camp, with John hook following and gathered around her with Captain Ames. Captain Cappanni explained that she and three men had escaped from the field hospital after it had been over run by the Japanese. She took a deep breath and said simply; "They did not treat the prisoners well. especially the nurses." The girls nodded and held onto each other; they knew full well what the Captain meant. Young Ruth just had to ask; "Ma'am, what happened to your bra?" The Captain smiled, gripping her torn blouse; "I was advised by our jungle expert, that running about the jungle in basically a straight jacket [her bra] wouldn't help me breath. So I ditched it. Quite liberating really."
The girls immediately agreed, with Dawn pushing her hands up her blouse, saying; "The Captain's bloody right. I've been struggling to breath since we started." She pulled off her bra and stuffed it in her bag. The other two did the same. Captain Ames watched in astonishment - and a little pleasure - but didn't argue. This particular captain of Nurses clearly knew what she was about. She turned to Ames and asked; "Who's gone after my people?" The Captain smiled; "My sergeant and private Murphy. They both know their way around the jungle." Captain Cappanni nodded and pulled her blouse together again. Ruth smiled; "Ma'am, I've a needle and thread in my bag. We'll soon have that sewn up." Now that did make the Captain of Nurses smile.
Everyone settled back down and awaited the return of the sergeant with the 'reinforcements'. John Hook sipped the canteen offered to him by Private Chester Davis and said quietly; "Knew exactly what she was doing. Soon as I grabbed her, she went still as a rabbit in car headlights. Made bloody sure that I found out she was a woman. Lay with her legs up; showing her bloody panties with my hand gripping her big tit. She knew damn well that no man would kill that little honey."
He grinned and kissed the hand that had handled that beautiful soft breast. "What a fucking woman. I'd really go for her." He added. Chester smiled; "So would most of the men and they haven't groped those big tits or seen her crotch." John handed back the canteen and watched Captain Alex talking with the girls in the moonlight. Oh yes, he could really go for a woman like that. preferably with young Ruth at the same time. Smiling, he laid back against the tree and slept.
Alex sat with 'her' girls and sipped warm water from an enamel mug. She really wished it was bloody brandy. The girls spoke softly about the what happened at the hospital. Ruth wiped her face; "If it wasn't for John we would all probably be ...dead or worse. He killed a jap sentry and took us into the jungle. A couple of times, jap patrols passed within a few feet of us. I can't believe they would hang a man like that. " The other girls mumbled their agreement at that. Alex passed the mug around and Dawn topped it up from her water bottle. "He's a condemned man for killing that officer, regardless of the circumstances. The British Army doesn't take too kindly to privates killing their officers; whatever the bloody officer did." Alex said and glanced over at the sleeping private.
She could fully understand he's reaction to the officer running away after telling his men to make 'a last stand'. She almost smiled to herself; he was a big strapping lad and his touch had made her feel good; even in the bloody jungle with Japanese troops crawling all over the place. "Maybe you could speak up for him Ma'am. I mean they might listen to an officer." Dawn said and sipped the cup, Alex shook her head; "I think they have already decided his fate. Besides, I don't think a British Court Marshal would pay much to an Australian Officer, a lowly Captain of Nurses and a woman as well." The girls all sighed, but they smiled, when Alex said; "But I can try, I suppose. It must be worth a go; to save a man's life."
The little gathering all broke up and the very tired girls tried to find a soft place to sleep. But the crawling bugs and nightmares about snakes and Japanese soldiers kept them awake until exhaustion took over and they slept badly on the dirty earth. Alex found herself a cosy bush and settled down. captain Ames disturbed her; he offered her half of his chocolate bar, which she accepted. He spoke softly and grimly; he expected her to keep the girls going - whatever happened - pulling an army issue 'Smith & Weston' pistol from his canvas bag, that he always carried. He tapped it gently; "There's four rounds left Alex, should we be about to be over run and captured, I will use it on you and the other nurses. Do you agree?" Alex just stared at the pistol and found she was nodding. "Bloody good show." Was all he said and slipped away to find his bed for the night. Alex shuddered a little, she didn't know what frightened her more; him or the bloody Japanese!
4. NO CHRISTMAS HERE.
The two native men made the camp just after dawn and Captain Ames welcomed the pair with real warmth. He explained to his men – and women – that Sans and Retu were jungle men from the mountains and they really hated the Japanese. “They’re in bloody good company here.” The sergeant muttered to the still smiling John, who simply couldn’t stop looking at Alex. The Captain had met the pair at Battalion HQ and they had been hired as scouts. They would lead the small party through the jungle to Kanyo Point. They knew a short route through ‘Diamond Valley’ a narrow pass that was the only quick way to the submarine rendezvous point.
If, the Japanese did follow, they would have to go through the valley, which was an excellent place for an ambush. A small force could hold the much larger Japanese contingent there with ease. If the Japanese didn’t go through, they would have to pass around the valley and that would add a day – at least – to their pursuit of the group.
Retu, who spoke some English – taught to him by nun’s at the Missionary school he had attended on occasion – also told the captain about the Japanese that were now behind the group and following their trail. They could be in this very spot in maybe four or five hours. The Captain nodded and the party immediately prepared to head out; they would be following the two natives.
Retu, who spoke some English – taught to him by nun’s at the Missionary school he had attended on occasion – also told the captain about the Japanese that were now behind the group and following their trail. They could be in this very spot in maybe four or five hours. The Captain nodded and the party immediately prepared to head out; they would be following the two natives.
The sergeant and private murphy returned with Jericho, Wilson and Owen in tow, The teams cover story was simple; they had escaped when the Japanese had over run their Field Hospital. Jericho was playing a civilian supplier to the Australian Medical Corps - who had been caught up in the fighting - with Owen as his assistant. Wilson was a big South African soldier, who had been at the unit delivering supplies, that had been swapped between the the Field Hospital and his unit. They had all been caught out by the speed of the Japanese advance.
Everyone commented on the big man. John Hook smiled and spoke to Donald [the sergeant] "Now that's one big bugger, I want next to me in a pub fight." The sergeant agreed. The mood in the makeshift camp was sombre. No one really wished anyone else' Merry Christmas!' But some morale was made when Owen handed around a packet of cigarettes and matches. He watched as the men shared one cigarette between a pair. they wanted their little Christmas treat to last for a while.
Big Patricia liked Owen and shared her chocolate bar with him and did wish him 'Merry Christmas'. Owen was really happy about that and they chatted together for some time, until the other nurses dragged her away and the three walked together, laughing and talking. Wilson slapped Owen on the back; "She likes you baby brother." and smiled, "So do bloody something about it." Owen just grinned.
They moved out at dawn and came across the smashed up truck, halfway down a small ravine, just before mid-day. It was British and to their delight still had some equipment and supplies scattered about. They found some very welcome tins of ‘Bully Beef’ [corned beef] and peaches. But the captain was almost ecstatic at finding a ‘Lewis’ machine gun with ammunition boxes. Wilson and big Alec could easily manage it between them. They feasted on their wonderful find and the food caused morale to improve greatly; some even did wish 'Merry Christmas!' to each other. But they had to move on, after the captain had stripped anything that the Japanese could use. They carried away the petrol cans and anything else of use.
They camped just before nightfall and Captain Ames checked his position with a compass and map. They had actually - to his surprise - made good progress. At this rate, they should make the rendezvous point with a couple of hours to spare. But that wasn't much leeway, with the Japanese army right up their arses. The team assembled by the edge of the camp and held a discrete meeting about this mission. The mission was the man John Hook. Wilson chuckled; "Didn't that famous Hollywood Director make a war film about that already?"
Everyone chuckled at that. Jericho explained, that in the original time line, Hook deserts the group to save his own skin and the Japanese caught up with the little party, after following them through 'Diamond Valley'. There were only a couple of survivors left to tell the tale. He didn't say who.
But something had changed - drastically - Hook became a bloody hero; killed holding off the Japanese forces, allowing the little group to escape. Their mission was to make sure that Hook runs off and the original time line is recovered. Owen rubbed his face; "Why the hell did a man like Hook suddenly do that? I've pulled his life file from Human Records and he was always in trouble as a civilian and as a soldier. He looked after himself and no one else; until now." Alex said nothing; Maybe her little encounter with the man had stirred something? She listened to the briefing in silence, thinking that she could well be the catalyst that caused the change, but that didn't make sense; she was only here because the damn time line had changed already! But she couldn't get that thought from her mind. The team meeting broke up and Alex crept from camp towards a big tree.
She stopped and just had to piss behind some thick bushes, squatting down, she groaned with relief as her hot piss, splashed into the dirt. She stood and started to pull her soiled panties up, then stared at the Japanese soldier who was staring at her, mouth and eyes wide open. He wasn’t even pointing his rifle at her. She stopped, with her knickers half way up and for some reason; smiled. The young soldier grinned broadly and placed his rifle down and hurriedly began to unbutton his flies. “Oh fucking hell.” She whispered and knew she was about to be raped.
The figure came from the soldiers left and the he was dead before falling to the ground, still clutching his small cock. The bayonet had been driven expertly through his throat, to cut off any screams. John smiled at her and wiped his knife on the dead soldiers shirt. “Pull your knickers up darling. If these bastards are this close. Then we need to move and move bloody quickly.” Alex could only nod and tug up her panties. John grabbed her hand; “I wondered where you had gone. Next time you need to pee, bloody tell me and I’ll come with you. There wouldn’t be any unpleasant surprises that way.” John said quietly, with no censor in his voice.
Alex nodded She glanced back to see 'big Swen' the Collector talking to the young dead Japanese's soldier. Swen smiled and waved, the little soldier bowed to her with a big grin and followed Swen into the bright light. Now that did make Alex think; if a Collector had turned up for the dead soldiers soul, then his death was scheduled. But how could that be so? She practically caused it by being here and taking a piss and she certainly wouldn't have been in the original time line! That's one for Jericho, she thought.
The group moved off quickly; the killing of the Japanese scout had galvanised everyone into rapid action. They made for the pass with Sans leading;
5. INTO 'DIAMOND VALLEY'.
Jericho admonished Alex about going into the jungle for a bloody pee and not telling anyone. "A bloody good job that Hook was there." He muttered and Alex explained about the Collector being there. Jericho nodded, thinking hard; "That mean's the pair [Hook and the Japanese soldier] were scheduled to meet up and Hook kill him. Your right Alex, that's interesting and I wonder, if Hook is telling the truth about going after you because he couldn't see you around the camp. What the hell was he doing out there?" The team little meeting broke up. Alex caught Hook staring at her several times as the party progressed through he jungle. They would soon come upon the valley.
Owen was walking with Alex and he smiled; "Our little native friends really like you. They say your a most generous woman. In fact, they want to take you back to their village to be generous to all the men there." Alex sighed; she had forgotten, that Temporal detectives could understand and speak any human language of the time period they were there in. She chuckled; "How sweet, I treated their insect bites and they wanted to give me presents, which of course, I refused. So they think I'm generous, how nice." Owen grunted; "Their village men must suffer a lot of bloody insect bites." Alex smiled again
Wilson turned and jerked a thumb behind them; "Our little native friend is back." They watched as Retu ran up to Captain Ames, who called for the party to halt. Wilson lowered the Lewis gun to the ground. He easily carried the big gun on his broad shoulders. Owen shook his head; "I think we'll home in time for dinner. The Japanese have sent out a quick moving advance party. They're just hours behind us. The main body another couple of hours behind them." Wilson nodded; "Time for Hook to disappear, I think." Alex looked across at Hook, who was talking to Dawn and Ruth. The girls were smiling and laughing quietly with him. She watched as he patted Ruth's arm and spoke in her ear. The girl grinned and the two nurses wandered off to join their friend Patricia..
The captain slapped the sergeant on the shoulder and asked; "Who's joining him boys?" There was silence for a second or two, then young Chester Davis stuck up his hand and sighed; "Me Sir. I'm a Barnardo's boy. I ain't got anything or anyone back home. All the rest of the men are married or got sweethearts, a mum and dad at home, waiting for them to show up. There's only me and Hooky who ain't got anyone and he's a bloody prisoner. I'll stay sir." Alex actually brushed a tear away, then noticed all her girls were doing the same. She swallowed hard; two bloody brave men who would never think of themselves as bloody hero's. That decided, the sergeant and young Davis would find a spot in the valley to set up the gun. Everyone shook their hands and the girls kissed them; including Alex.
Alex saw Hook standing away from the group, arms folded and staring at the ground. Then she remembered the sergeant telling Ruth about how he [Hook] had looked after young Chester, since he joined the Regiment. The sergeant had said, when Ruth asked why a man like Hook would do that? "Cos, he was like that Miss. Young with nothing and no one. except, no one looked after young Hook. That's why he's the way he is. Only ever been him. But he did take to young Chester."
The team gathered away from the rest and Jericho smiled; "Soon be home for dinner. Once our boy has departed, we'll do the same." Alex saw Hook talking to sergeant Donald and wondered what their quiet conversation was about. then Hook gestured to her. She walked slowly over as her colleagues stood talking amongst themselves. Hook whispered to Alex and gently touched her arm. He grinned and slapped a little kiss on her cheek; "Knew I could depend on a girl like you. Pity we hadn't met up when I was a bit younger. Probably got me self a job in some bloody factory to keep my missus and kids. Thank you for being a generous woman." He walked away with the sergeant, turned and smiled at Alex and the pair disappeared into some tree's, still talking.
Alex stood, arms folded and thought about what Hook had asked of her. She was to lure young Chester to a quite spot and let him fuck her, while Hook and the sergeant disappeared in the valley with the Lewis gun. He didn't want young Chester killed. He had grinned, saying; It'll make a man of the boy. I just know you'll look after him, show him what women are really for. She now knew that Hook had changed the human time line himself. Some human's did that; they changed their Destiney in just an instant. It has happened before and will certainly do so again. This will not make Jericho - or Angel James - happy.
She watched as Hook, Donald and captain Ames checked the gun. Alex then wandered off to find young Chester and tell him about the change of plan. She found him under the tree that she and Hook had shared. She slapped a hand over her mouth to stop a surprised gasp escape. Young Chester was there with Ruth. they were embracing under the damn tree with some real passion. He had a hand up her skirt and his mouth firmly fixed on hers. Alex walked back to the camp and discretely gave the thumbs up to Hook, who just nodded and slapped the sergeants arm. The pair smiled and crept away, carrying the gun, some water canteens and spades to dig in.
Alex then saw Owen smiling at her. he walked over and whispered to her; "For a minute there, I thought it was you that was young Chester's decoy. But he and Ruth are at it against a tree." Alex just nodded and they joined a very unhappy Jericho, but a smiling Wilson. The team would stay with the party until they could find a suitable time and place to operate their mirrors. All Jericho said about the surprise changes was "Bloody human freewill." That made everyone else chuckle.
6. DEATH VALLEY.
The captain was annoyed about the change of plan. He admitted that he really wanted to see Hook 'swing' for killing his friend. But the pair had already disappeared into the jungle with the damn Lewis gun. He sighed; "Well, the sergeant got his wish; he always said that if he was in a jungle scrap, he wanted bloody Hook with him." He was also surprised that the pair [Hook & Sarge] had taken the 'Jerry can's' filled with petrol. he wondered what they would do with them.
The party moved out and Alex noticed with some surprise that Retu and Sans had been joined by another two native men. One looked old enough to be Retu's damn grandfather. But the other was a strapping fellow with a shaved head and was wearing boots. He also was carrying a rifle, slung over his shoulder.
The little group moved with some speed through the jungle and soon they could hear gun fire coming from behind them. they stopped to listen and young Chester said quietly; "That's the Lewis gun. I know what it sounds like." He stared at the ground and wiped his face. Big Alec grunted; "Hooky was always good with that bloody thing." They moved on as darkness started to fall. they could still the gunfire and now, small explosions; "Bloody grenades. Jap grenades, our boys didn't have any." Alec muttered. They watched the columns of smoke floating above the canopy of trees.
The little group made the beach about an hour later. Everyone was delighted to see the sea. They laughed and grabbed each other. the captain was setting up the radio. That's when everyone stopped and stood silent. There was no more shooting. Big Alec, bowed his head and crossed himself, saying softly; "The bastards got them."
Captain Ames told everyone to ditch everything; they may have to swim for it. He had made contact with the submarine and would be here in about an hour. Everyone turned back to the jungle and 'Diamond Valley'. Young Ruth, gripping Chester's hand whispered; "Thank you Hooky and sarge." She brushed tears away and joined the other nurses sitting amongst tree's. Jericho brushed Alex's hand and nodded; "Time to go I think." He nodded towards the jungle. They would slip away, one at a time and meet up by two huge tree's, that dominated the jungle near the beach. Alex nodded, then groaned a little; there were now nine native men, in the a jungle clearing, some way off. They were all waving enthusiastically.
"Must have a plague of bloody insect bites in that village." Owen whispered into her ear and grinned. Alex just folded her arms and said nothing; she was thinking about John Hook. In a way, he had redeemed himself of the officer's murder. That's when Owen shouted, gesturing widely to the sky; "Jap planes! take cover!" The two 'Zero's' dropped from the sky at speed. The bullets kicked up the sand and torn pieces from trees. Young Andy Kent ran for the jungle and didn't make it. The big rounds - designed to bring down an enemy plane - tore through him, ripping off an arm and slicing a leg in two. The back of his skull shattered and he was flung several feet across the sand, almost rolling into a grotesque ball.
Wilson grabbed the shocked Alex by the arm and they jumped into a huge bush and Wilson pressed her down into the dirt. His body across her. She tried to look up, but he pushed her head down; "Keep down you daft cow!" He shouted above the gunfire and screaming planes, who turned and came back for a second run. Corporal Jack Haines staggered and fell in front of the bush; his hands desperately trying to push his exposed intestines back in. He seemed to stare at Wilson and the light disappeared from his eyes. The body kicked a few times and was still. The planes roared over the scattered little group and disappeared into the bright blue morning sky.
Wilson slowly rose and pulled Alex up; she embraced the big man tightly and stared at the body of Haines. All around was chaos; but one voice could be heard above the noise; Captain Ames. He told everyone to make for the two big tree's [that the Temporal Detectives hoped to use for their disappearing act]. Panting, he ran past Wilson and Alex shouting; "Thank fuck the submarine wasn't fucking on the surface!" Alex, with a great deal of relief, saw a very sand covered Owen walking up to her. He brushed sand from his face and hair. "Jericho's already at the bloody tree's. Bit useless now, everyone is heading there." He muttered.
Alex released Wilson and grabbed Owen and held him like a distraught mum. He chuckled; "Maybe I should get shot at more often." They all looked at the body of young Haines. Big Swen, the Collector was back; Kent and Haines nodded at them and walked to the light with him. "I best see to my girls." Alex said and shouted for her nurses; all thankfully, uninjured, but in a real state of shock. Everyone gathered by the two big trees and Captain Ames told them that the submarine couldn't get close; it had to stay in deep water, especially with the nips flying around. They would ditch everything and swim for it - as soon as it surfaced - it would remain only for a few minutes on the surface.
When asked dawn about the two dead men, the Captain just shook his head; "No time to bury the poor bastards. The Japs will do that." He told everyone to strip down and asked with real urgency about non-swimmers. There were two; Private Parker and Nurse Ruth. But there were two very strong swimmers in the group; young Chester and Big Alec. They volunteered to help Parker and Ruth. Chester would - not surprisingly - take care of Ruth. Amongst the confusion of shouting and stripping; Jericho nodded to his group and they crept away into the jungle. No one apparently noticed. The girls tied their blouses up and pulled off their skirts; that really caught the notice of the men, who were only wearing the underpants and dog tags. Everyone wadded into the warm water and and started to swim.
As Alex disappeared into the trees, she could hear Ruth shouting her name. From the forest edge they watched the grey submarine rise slowly, sailors rushing to throw down ropes. They saw, with some smiles of relief, the little bedraggled and wet party, finally all pulled aboard and the submarine sank quickly below the surface. That's when Owen gestured to the jungle edge opposite; there were at least twenty Japanese soldiers and an officer. Jericho grunted and the team disappeared. Watching from the clearing, Retu and Sans stared at each other; Retu said softly; "The generous lady is more than we know." Sans nodded and the little group of warriors faded into the trees before the Japanese spotted them.
7. DISCOVERIES.
They walked back to the lighthouse and all Alex could think of was a hot bath. "Well at least they made the damn submarine." Wilson said, still brushing sand from his clothes. Jericho was already making out his report to Angel James on his mirror. {Angel James was currently the Duty Death Angel, standing in for Margret, who was doing something for Arch-Angel Michael] He grunted; "He can't moan too much. Bloody human freewill and all that." Then grinned. Owen chuckled and whispered to Alex; "The mission was bit of a failure, wasn't it? We didn't restore the current Human Time line and there are going to be changes. But what the hell, that happens. The bloody Angel can't blame us for that."
Alex nodded and pushed her arm through his. "I hope Ruth and Chester make a real go of their marriage." Owen chuckled and gave her a little kiss on the forehead. "Well, with your marriage advice they should at least enjoy the honeymoon." The pair laughed together and said a big 'hello' to Mr. Harris standing in the doorway; as usual.
Alex sat in the study and flicked through her mirror, reading about the Christmas war in Singapore. She read about the atrocities committed by the invading Japanese forces; the killings and rapes, torture and savage beheadings and beating of Allied POW's. She grimaced and then a little article caught her eye. She read it with some interest. A small story about the dramatic rescue of some British troops and three Army nurses from the beach at Kanyo point. She chuckled at that and tapped on related articles.
There was no mention of the mysterious three Australians and the South African soldier that were not rescued. History appears to be silent on their fate and that pleased Alex. But she read with some real shock that a Private John Hook had his death sentence commuted in 1946. He served nineteens years in prison and was released - on parole - in 1965. it stated that he worked in a Ford Car plant until his retirement and died at the age of 72.
She lowered the mirror in shock and amazement; how the hell did he survive? She was interrupted by Owen, who sprawled across his favourite sofa and smiled. "I bet I know who your reading about?" She tapped her mirror; "How the hell did he get away and what happened to the sergeant?" Owen chuckled; "Young Chester said that Hook really knew about Lewis guns, as did the sarge. They set the bloody thing up to fire automatically and then set fire to the bloody jungle with the petrol from that wrecked truck we came across. Do you remember that?"
Alex nodded and Owen continued; "They were later captured and sent to a Japanese POW camp. Unfortunately the sergeant never survived the internment; he died of dysentery. But Hook survived to be liberated by Allied forces. Soon as they found out who he was; they slung him in prison, but he had a good lawyer and the death sentence was set aside. Nineteen years later he walked free." Alex chuckled at that; one thing about John Hook; was he knew how to survive on his own.
"He did - almost - redeem himself for the murder of the cowardly Lieutenant." She said quietly to herself and raised her brandy glass in salute, then took a small sip.
EPILOGUE:
"Angel James wasn't too disappointed by the relative failure of Team 74 to restore the current Human Time line. The changes that occurred by Private John Hook's sudden - and unexpected - change of heart were absorbed with little major problems. Human's exercising the divine gift of 'Freewill' will certainly continue and more changes can be expected."
W.A.S.
CHARACTERS:
Private John 'Hooky' Hook survived the war; escaping the hangman's noose because of the time he spent in a Japanese POW camp and for his stand in 'Diamond valley'. Nevertheless, British Authorities wanted their revenge and he spent 19 years in various prisons around the UK. Finally released in 1965, he worked for a while, as a cleaner in a Ford Car Plant. He died in 1990 of complication from a bowl cancer operation. He had never married or had children. His soul was collected and quarantined for half a human century. He then re-joined the human life cycle.
Lt. Clifford Rees-Davis, the officer Hook killed had ordered his men to fight 'to the last' and then ran away, throwing away his equipment and weapons. His name is on the small war memorial, where the 'temporary hospital' had stood, along with Sergeant Creswell's. Private Hook's name is not shown on any memorial. The Lieutenant's soul was collected and processed.
Lt. Ruth Davis [nee Chambers] - Army Nurse - survived the war. She had married Private Chester Davis in 1942 and had a son that year; called John. She was widowed the following year, when Chester was killed. She remarried in 1949 and lived in Sheffield. Ruth died in 1989 along with her second husband in a terrible car crash on the M1 Motorway. He soul was collected and processed.
Lt. Patricia Anne Collins - Army Nurse - survived the war and married a Train Driver in 1948. She had three children and died in 1999 from a stroke. Her soul was collected and processed.
Lt. Dawn Baines - Army Nurse -was killed in 1945, in Germany, when the ambulance carrying her and two wounded soldiers overturned on a snowy road at night. It was discovered that the driver was drunk. She had never married or had children. Her soul was collected and processed.
Sergeant Donald Creswell who had stood with Hook at 'Diamond Valley' was captured by the Japanese and brutally treated. He died in 1942, in a POW camp after contracting Dysentery - as did thousands of other Allied POW's - His soul was collected and processed.
Captain Frank Harold Ames did not survive the war. In late Winter 1944, now a Colonel stationed at an army depot in Huddersfield, he was shot dead by a nervous sentry, who's young head was full of talk about German parachutists. His soul was collected and processed.
Private Chester Davis was killed in action, fighting in Burma. during Spring 1943. He left a young widow and one son; called John - named after Private Hook - his soul was collected and processed.
Private 'Big' Alexander [Alec] Coles survived the war unscathed - except in his dreams - and worked as a stunt man at Pinewood Studio's. He married twice and had four children. His eldest son is called 'John' after Private Hook. The big man died of a stroke in 1992. His soul was collected and processed.
Retu [native Scout] did not survive the war, he died - along with many of his villagers - when the Japanese attacked their mountain stronghold. The village had been co-operating with the Allies and paid a terrible price for that. His soul was collected and processed.
Sans [native Scout] survived the massacre of his village and continued to work for the Allies as a scout and guide. He died in 1951 and was mourned by his only son; Retu. His soul was collected and processed.
Private Michael 'Spider' Murphy was wounded in 1942, fighting in the Jungle war in Burma. It cost the young man his left leg. During the remainder of the war he worked in a munitions factory and afterwards in a canning factory in Leeds. He was always called 'Spider' because of the two beautiful Tarantula's tattooed on each hand. He died in 1981. His soul was collected and processed.
The fate of the nurses driven away by the Japanese from the hospital is unknown to living humans - now and at the time - but all the women are listed on the War Memorial erected at the site of the Temporary Hospital. They had been driven away to a quite road in the jungle and lined up by a ditch. The Japanese machine gunned them to death and covered the bodies with dirt. Their officers didn't wat any witnesses to the atrocities committed at the hospital. Their bodies have never been discovered and remain lost to this day. But all their souls were collected and processed.
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