"William Forstchen - Crystal Warriors 1 - Crystal Warriors" - читать интересную книгу автора (Forstchen William R)

Ikawa looked at Mark for a moment. These Americans were the enemy, the same as the Chinese.
Maybe because he was the hunted, and these Americans were the hunted as well... He just couldn't
answer that one. Perhaps it was simply that he had lived with them for several years, and in spite of the
war he felt an empathy with them.

He started to turn away.

"Why?"

Ikawa looked back at the American. "Captain, you are my prisoner," he said coldly. "If we get out of
here, and I truly doubt that, I shall turn you over to army intelligence for whatever information they can
get out of you. But for now we are in this together. If your men make any move, I shall execute all of you
at once. If you give me your word that there shall be no action against me, I shall treat you honorably."

Mark nodded his agreement.

Ikawa went back to the firing line. His lieutenant, Okada Mokaoto, came up to his side.

"Captain, if I might speak."

"Yes, Lieutenant."

"Kill them now. They are the enemy as well."

"We might need them. I have less than twenty men; we may need these Americans to carry our
wounded, or even to fight, if we are to survive,"

"Captain, don't let it be said that you are soft towards the enemy."

Ikawa scowled at his lieutenant. "Mokaoto, I don't care if your father is a general," he hissed softly so
that no one else could hear. "I am your superior; it is not for you to question my commands."

Mokaoto glared defiantly. Ikawa could well imagine what would be reported, but he didn't care--he had
just about had it with this man who had connections because he was the spoiled son of a general.

"Captain." Sergeant Saito was peering out towards the enemy line, which had stopped several hundred
yards away. "Captain, they're bringing up that captured 37mm cannon."

The gun had been lost when the garrison was overrun. He knew the enemy had it, but didn't realize they
had manhandled it all this way in the pursuit.

"Mokaoto, have you scouted up that trail yet?" Ikawa pointed up the narrow defile that weaved up into
the heart of the mountain.
"No."

"As I thought." Ikawa's voice was icy. "Mokaoto, take Sergeant Nobuaki and four men. You are to stay
here and delay their advance."

Mokaoto looked at him with hate-filled eyes. The orders were an invitation to die for the emperor, but he
had to obey.