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

The bandits let out a shout and advanced towards the plane. The Americans started to run, straight up
the hill to where Ikawa was waiting.

"Captain, shall I open up?"

"No--order the men to hold their fire. I think this can be useful."

At that moment the Japanese machine gun on the hill behind them fired a sustained burst. The captain
looked back to the opposite hill a hundred yards away and watched as the corporal and his four men
picked up the weapon, then ran back down the hill to rejoin them.

Ikawa watched the enemy sweeping forward, driving the Americans before them. Behind him the enemy
was closing in as well. A high, solitary mountain soared up on his right--an impenetrable barrier. He
looked closer. Yes, there was a possible way out of this trap, which the bandits had laid long before the
Americans had fallen from the sky. There was a narrow defile heading straight into the mountain fastness.
Without hesitation Ikawa formed his plan.

"Sergeant, I want you and four other men to stay with me. Lieutenant Mokaoto, move the rest of my
command towards that defile."

Saluting, the lieutenant barked some quick commands and the rest of the unit started out."Sergeant Saito,
let's get ready to greet our new visitors. Fire only on my command."

The sergeant cradled his machine pistol and waited with the rest, either to shoot the Americans or those
behind them. In his mind the two were nearly the same.

Ikawa could hear them now--their heavy gasping as they came running straight up the slope towards his
concealed position. A quarter mile away the Chinese were already closing around the plane. Some of the
men were shooting at the Americans and laughing. Bullets hummed through the air, some of them striking
the ground around the Americans, driving the fugitives forward. Several Americans were armed with light
carbines and two held Thompson submachine guns. They turned occasionally to trade shots with their
tormentors, but with no effect. They could have been moving faster, but their progress was slowed by a
wounded man who was half-carried, half-dragged by two of his comrades.

"Get ready, Sergeant, they're almost on us. If they make a move with their weapons, open up."

"Yes, Captain."

Ikawa took a deep breath, trying to remember the correct words. He stood up and barked a command.

"Halt!"

Mark snapped out of his exhausted stupor.

"Jesus, a Jap," someone screamed behind him.

The Japanese officer extended his hands, to show he was weaponless.

"Don't shoot," the Japanese officer shouted. "My men have you covered."