The bullet pinged into the dinosaur’s cheek. It roared in pain and hostility. And then, it broke through the wall entirely. Standing before them, it lowered its head and let out another menacing roar. It flicked its tail and a set of steel beds crashed over.
It took two large steps, and lengthy claws crimped into the smooth concrete floor.
Tanaka readied himself for another shot, and a few infantrymen stood to face the creature. It meant to kill them and so fighting might be their only hope.
“Now!” Tanaka commanded.
Everyone fired at once. Rounds dug into the creature’s hide; its yellow eyes opened and shut rapidly. A primal ferocity emanated from its orbs. Spent gunpowder wafted through the room. Osamu struggled to work his bolt, trying desperately to chamber another round.
Another step into the barracks. Then the creature let out the fiercest roar of the night. It swung its head roundhouse into the nearest rack, sending it sliding across the room. Two soldiers were crunched on the floor into balls, exposed to the menacing beast. Faces cast in fright, they remained frozen, as if hoping the beast would turn its attention elsewhere.
The Carnotaurus leaned forward and sniffed near the closest soldier.
Pausing for a moment while the young man trembled with fear, the creature seemed to absorb the apprehension. It breathed in the scent of its prey, then lunged at the closest soldier. Latching on to the man’s back, it raised the solider into the air, then shook him violently.
As it whipped the soldier side to side, the man’s eyes bugged out, and he screamed in agony. Massive jaws clamped down on the soldier’s torso, muscles tensing around the creature’s massive head, until a brutal snap resounded throughout the barracks. Viscera oozed through cleaved flesh and jagged bones, and blood leaked onto the floor. The man’s bulging eyes suddenly cast into a state of death. And his screaming ceased abruptly.
The beast gave the carcass another shake for good measure. And then, it backed through the opening in the wall. Its dark hide slipped into the night as the pounding of primal feet marked its departure. A rhythmical egress trotted off with its spoils.
A moment later, soldiers rushed into the barracks dripping wet from recent precipitation. The Gocho tarried in after them. He glanced at the wall then looked at Tanaka. “What is the meaning of this?” he demanded.
“A creature from the jungle broke through. It took a private.”
The Gocho perused him for a moment, as though trying to determine the veracity of Tanaka’s comments. “This was not the Americans?” The corporal pointed at the broken wall. “Not an attack?”
“No. A wild beast from the island.”
Nodding, the Gocho appeared convinced, but continued: “Why the shooting?”
“We tried to kill the creature. It was quite large and dangerous.”
“Next time… aim better!”
Tanaka gave a slight bow in deference to the Gocho’s command position.
“Assemble in front of the barracks.” The Gocho adjusted his jacket, then turned to leave. “Move out. Now!”
Slinging his rifle over a shoulder, Tanaka ran for the door and hustled outside. A heavy downpour sent a deluge of rain over the atoll. His boots caked in mud up to the puttees. He expected the entire garrison would now mobilize to face the invaders.
Outside, the troops gathered in formation while the Jun-i and Gocho faced them. Rain beat down on their helmets and puddled in crevices forged into the mud by their combat boots. Tanaka stood at the end of the first line. Ranks of infantrymen ran five-deep. All the Hetai on the atoll were in the formation. They eagerly awaited instructions.
Tanaka wanted to get on with it, face the Americans and engage in an all-out battle. He worried more about the beasts than enemy bullets.
Standing in front of the barracks, they were easy prey for the large beast. It seemed impervious to their bullets and undaunted by the soldiers and their rifles. Tanaka considered the beast’s flight after each encounter. Watching the creature retreat into the jungle, he’d assumed that the rifles firing, and presence of troops had scared it away. Now, he realized the Carnotaurus had only fled once it had secured a victim. Perhaps it took off on instinct, merely to avoid sharing its spoils with others. The beast wasn’t frightened of them, but rather greedy over its booty. It wanted to feed.
When the last solider dawdled into formation, the Jun-i came to attention. The Gocho stood beside him, stern. “Listen,” the Jun-i said. “We have threats from all angles. Creatures abound on this island, and the recent battle has disturbed them. And we have the Americans who’ve landed on our shore.”
All the soldiers listened intently. Some appeared worried about their first time in combat, while others who had already been down at the beach with Tanaka seemed ready to get on with it. Those soldiers who had now faced battle and come out of it unscathed fidgeted with their rifles and occasionally glanced at the muddy ground. And the others stared at the warrant officer, locked at attention, without movement. Seldom blinking their eyes.
“Everyone will board the transport truck and we’ll meet the Americans who will venture onto the road. They are likely on a seek and destroy mission. Our fuel dumps are a key asset for the Imperial Army.” The Jun-i motioned past the barracks. “We must protect our resources at all costs. They will likely attempt to destroy our infrastructure, buildings and roads.”
A shot rang out from the far end of the island, away from the landing area.
“They have come ashore in two locations!” The Jun-i explained the shot. “We will divide our troops. The Gocho will take a squad to the far end of the atoll. And I will lead the rest of the garrison to meet the main landing party.”
As the Jun-i paused, the corporal scanned the troops. His eyes locked on Tanaka.
Tanaka began to step forward, motioning to members of his squad. But the Gocho waved him off with derision. He pointed to several less seasoned infantrymen and they moved into a separate assembly.
“Whoever cannot fit into the transport will grab a bicycle,” the Jun-i continued. “And if you cannot get onto either of them… you run!”
The Gocho addressed his squad. “We will all move on foot. No bicycles or trucks for you.” He sneered at them and then ran for the tree line. Moving swift and strong, he looked like he could run all day, carrying just a sword and Nambu pistol. His squad trudged after him, lugging canvas knapsacks (Hai-nou), Sanpachi 38 rifles, while their mess tins (hangou) and canteens clanged with each parting step. The soldiers’ helmets tilted from side to side with each lumbering stride.
As the Gocho’s squad plodded off, the Jun-i paced in front of the remaining soldiers. He looked them over while rain poured down on his cap, running over the visor, and dripping to the ground in rivulets. Streams of water cascaded from the warrant officer’s field hat, partially obscuring his dark, piercing eyes.
Tanaka could still feel them staring at him intently.
“Your men from the earlier attack will ride in the transport,” the Jun-i finally said.
Tanaka gave the warrant officer a slight bow.
“We will see how many others can fit into the truck. A few can ride on the sideboards. Everyone else will either ride a bicycle or run.” He paused to look them over. “Those of you traveling on foot can cut through the brush. You’ll head toward the big lagoon. But keep in mind the Americans are not likely on the beachhead. They will be headed inland towards our garrison, and likely on their way to the fuel tanks.”
“Should we have some men guard those positions?” This from a superior private.
“A good plan if we had enough soldiers.” The Jun-i smiled proudly. “No. We will throw everything we have at them, intercepting the Americans before they get there. Understood?”