The Gate

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“Quickly!” The officer barking the orders wore the white uniform of the Japanese Imperial Navy, but the tunic was stained with sweat and dirt. The reason was obvious as he added his strength to the work party, fastening the large crate in the back of the truck to a crane’s hook.

A man standing on the deck of the submarine echoed the naval officer’s words. “Quickly!” This man did not wear a uniform, but his demeanor brooked no argument. His eyes blazed darkly at the workers and a long, straight scar ran down the right side of his leathery face, disappearing under the collar of the black shirt he wore. Through a tear in the shirt, the officer could see part of a tattoo that covered the man’s chest. Large, black ominous waves were etched into the skin with the red orb of a sun looming behind them.

The man was standing next to a midget submarine which was bolted to the deck, just aft of the conning tower. Behind the midget sub, a special sled rested on a cradle. The sled was designed to fit the rectangular crate. The cradle had been hastily welded to the steel deck, the work finished just moments ago. Cables were lying on the deck, waiting to join the sled and crate to the submarine.

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