The Soldier 1

by Donald Ha

  Hans kicked the blameless skull.

  The wrongfully kicked skull helplessly fell to the ground.

  At that split second, something caught Jackal’s eye.

  “Hmm.”

  Jackal quickly picked up the fallen skull, removed the jawbone and twisted out something shiny from it.

  “Bingo!”

  Another golden tooth.

  Jackal and Hans’ face lighted up.

  “Damn it. That’s mine!”

  Hans’s face distorted in frustration.

  Jackal put the golden tooth in his pocket and smiled.

  “Hey, you kicked away the good fortune. Take what others have thrown away. That’s the true law of a real hyena.”

  “So is sharing.”

  Hans tried grabbing Jackal with his big paw like hands, but Jackal escaped like a slippery eel and chuckled.

  “Sergeant Hans Graham, with the badge of the first class Iron cross. Take your time to hyena for there are plenty of skulls.”

  “They all look the same. When am I going to look through all of it?”

  Jackal thought for a while, looking at the complaining Hans.

  ‘I do feel much better. My body is as light as a feather, and my senses have intensified.'

  Jackal felt a small but clear distinct energy coming from his engine room.

  It was another kind of power that seemed to be swirling lightly and seemed as peaceful as a lake at the same time.

  ‘This art of the inner force is worth more than I thought.’

  Within just a week, there was a lot of change, enough for him to be able to feel it.

  How would his body change in a month or two?

  He felt happy just by imagining it.

  “Hey, Jackal.”

  Hans’s cautious voice, different from when he was being playful, hit his ears fiercely like a wave.

  Jackal’s intensified senses knew what Hans was going to say.

  A group of people were appearing from the entrance of the crematorium, one by one.

  Their faces were exhausted and in despair, but their eyes were gleaming with anger and resentment.

  Jackal could easily tell what they were.

  ‘Remnant soldiers.’

  No matter how much they covered their bodies with plain clothes, they couldn’t hide their nature of an injured beast.

  He knew this because Jackal, once, had been a soldier who had fought under their discipline.

  “Hey you, the two gentlemen over there. Care for a talk?”

  A man who looked as if he were the leader of the group shouted from the entrance.

  He was tall, and on top of his right eye was a burnt mark, which gave them the chills.

  “What should we do?”

  Hans asked in a low voice.

  Jackal and Hans were both hiding weaponry.

  Hans’s hand was inside his coat, where the hidden weaponry was.

  Hans seemed to want to fight.

  However, Jackal didn’t.

  If they were the only ones with the gun, they could easily drive out the scamps, but if they also had a gun, Jackal and Hans would be in danger.

  They would be able to take cover behind the concrete walls, but they themselves would have nowhere to hide in the crematorium.

  If they had a gun battle here, their funeral would be in the crematorium, decorated with bullets.

  “Let’s see.”

  Jackal whispered quietly and stepped forward.

  Before he did so, he didn’t forget to loosen his fingers, to prepare to return fire if one of the remnants glaring at them pulled out a weapon.

  *Crunch, crunch.*

  4 boots passed by, stepping on the bones and ashes

  Jackal stood in front of the tall man with a big burn mark.

  He was in the lead, and he looked like the leader.

  When Jackal stood in front of him, the man spoke, as he’d been waiting.

  “I’m Heinz Gutman. I was one of the last ones to fight under general Weitling.”

  Unlike his ugly and abominable looks, his voice was clear and strong.

  He talked quickly, but didn’t stutter and his pronunciation was accurate.

  Now that Jackal thought of it, he had fine posture.

  ‘Was he an officer?’

  Officers with strong self-esteem had their own peculiar scent.

  Heinz Gutman had a similar smell to the officers Jackal had met previously.

  “Hello, Sir Gutman. Why did you call us here?”

  Hans nodded his head and asked disrespectfully.

  He, like Jackal, had smelled the same scent.

  Hans Graham had an extreme dislike for officers.

  He thought they were displeasing people with big egos, who kept on bringing up useless principles.

  “Do you know where this is?”

  Heinz Gutman asked coldly.

  “What do you mean where? It’s where dead skulls are.”

  Hans snorted sarcastically.

  Hearing his words, the guys started to get angry.

  *Clack.*

  “Where do you think you are? You hyenas.”

  A man who couldn’t keep in his anger pulled out his gun.

  *Clack Clack*.

  In an instant, Jackal and Hans pulled out their guns as well.

  It was a volatile situation.

  After the agonizing silence passed, Jackal raised a hand and said slowly,

  “We have also fought under general Weitling. Why don’t we all back out? War is over and we don’t have to get our faces red in anger.”

  Heinz glared at Jackal and raised his hand s up as well.

  “I guess there’s no need to aim at fellow soldiers.”

  Hans didn’t seem to want to, but under Jackal’s cold eyes, he had to put his gun muzzle down as well.

  “I agree.”

  Heinz ordered his man to put down their guns, and told all his men to step back.

  Heinz Gutman said,

  “You look like hyenas, but you should act accordingly to time and place. Those bodies are of comrades who once fought along with you. If you are a comrade who fought under general Weitling, shouldn’t you at least express some respect to their bodies?”

  “Oh, is that true? Rumor was that the remains of this crematorium was of German soldiers.”

  Jackal acted surprised, as if he hadn’t known.

  Heinz glared at Jackal and asked shortly.

  “You an Asian?”

  It was a question he heard often.

  Too many times, that he now grew sick of it.

  “....”

  Jackal’s eyes went cold

  “I’d rather have you call me a volunteer of the allies than an Asian.”

  Jackal didn’t hide his discomfort in his voice and eyes.

  Heinz opened his mouth carefully, a bit surprised at Jackal’s strong reaction.

  “The allies. You Japanese?”

  “Let’s say the uncrowned performance secretary dispatched from the embassy of the empire of Japan.”

  Jackal glared at Heinz directly, and told him his title clearly.

  Of course, Jackal didn’t know if there was such a title. He lied, supposing that Germany and Japan were allies, and Berlin would have the Japanese embassy, and that an uncrowned secretary would be in an embassy.

  His excuse worked on the German remnant troop.

  “Uncrowned....”

  Heinz wasn’t an exception.

  He looked at a distance, lost in thought, than handed his hand out to Jackal.

  Jackal looked at his hand for a while, and proceeded to shake hands.

  “I am ashamed to see an ally comrade doing this away from home.”

  “Do not worry. The orange forces shall destroy the devil-like Anglo-Americans, and win the final victory. I’m doing this now because surviving is the most urgent thing, but won’t there be good days soon?”

  Jackal said slyly, lifting his hat up.

  “I apologize for today. I n
ever would have imagined these remains would be of German soldiers.”

  “We’re thinking of burying as soon as circumstances allow it.”

  “So long.”

  Heinz didn’t stop Jackal from leaving.

  When he waved his hand once more, his men stepped back a pace.

  Jackal and Hans sauntered alone, receiving the glare of Heinz’s men.

  “Jackal, were you from the Japanese embassy?”

  Hans whispered with a surprised face.

  “Of course it’s a downright lie.”

  Jackal smiled sweetly and answered.

  “.....”

  The men were still glaring at Jackal and Hans in silence.

  *Thump.*

  Suddenly, a man stepped forward and opened his mouth suddenly.

  “I saw you somewhere before.”

  He was an old soldier, with a bandage around his forehead and a red nose.

  His face was red and his breath reeked of alcohol as if he had been drinking since morning.

  “Me?”

  Jackal stopped his feet and observed the man’s face.

  He didn’t recognize it.

  He hadn’t seen him in any of his troops.

  “I think this is the first time he had met. Aren’t you mistaking me for another Asian?”

  “You, weren’t you in Normandy?”

  “....!!”

  His heart skipped a beat. But Jackal didn’t show any change of expression.

  “If I were in the French embassy, maybe I would have gone. Unfortunately, I am part of the German official residence, so I hadn’t had a chance to go to the beautiful land. So long.”

  Jackal showed his respect by lifting his hat, and advanced forward again.

  “No, I’m pretty sure. ”

  “......”

  Jackal passed him, ignoring his words.

  The man continued talking, despite the cold ignorance. With certain ty.

  “You’re wearing an American coat and your hat is pulled down, but I am sure. You’re the Devil of Cherbourg, right?”

  The Devil of Cherbourg.

  With his words, his surroundings like a thunder.

  “....!!”

  Everyone that was standing looked at Jackal at once.

  The resolved tension swelled up again.

  “.....”

  Jackal felt the pressure better than anybody else.

  Jackal turned around slowly.

  Everyone’s eyes, including Heinz’s, focused on Jackal.

  Receiving the attention, Jackal looked at the man, who had pointed to him, in the eyes and said,

  “Let me ask you something.”

  His voice was full of irritation.

  “What?”

  “Say I really was the Devil of Cherbourg.”

  “I saw you.”

  “If I were the Devil of Cherbourg, would I be pulling out gold teeth from skulls?”

  Jackal put his hands into his pockets and pulled out two shining golden teeth.

  “.....”

  No one could refute his words.

  To the remnants, the Devil of Cherbourg was legendary.

  The saga of the man who had remained alone in Cherbourg, the man who had driven the occupation force to fear through sabotage and assassination. It was the only thing the gloomy German soldiers could talk about, laughing, one of the few hopes that they had.

  A man like that, searching through dead bodies for some golden teeth? That was impossible, and Jackal had pointed it out.

  The two teeth laid on Jackal’s hands were more persuasive than a thousand words.

  “....”

  The man who pointed at Jackal couldn’t say anything.

  The mood was spoiled.

  Now, even if he made the same argument, no one would agree with him.

  “This is a sensitive time for all. Don’t put an innocent man in harm, my dear allies.”

  Jackal put the gold teeth back into his pocket, and walked forward.

  The Heinz party looked at Jackal leaving, and left one by one.

  Situation over.

  But Jackal didn’t seem to be in a good mood.

  In fact, he was in the worst possible mood.

  “Fancy someone recognizing me over here.”

  He made it out this time, but there was no guarantee for the next time this would happen.

  Jackal remembered the man on top of the submarine in the dark night.

  “10,000 dollars! 10,000! Remember!”

  It was the only realistic solution.

  But the cost was an overwhelming barrier.

  ‘I should make money quickly. I’ll have to do something. Anything.’

  Jackal's steps quickened.

  “Hey, Jackal, where are you going?”

  Hans Graham asked.

  “I have to stop by the American base. I’m done with being a hyena.”

  “Is that so? Well then.”

  Hans Graham smacked his lips as if he were sorry.

  His gaze flicked from Jackal’s back to the empty air. His lips twitched a bit, and he made meaningless gestures.

  Hans Graham called Jackal, who was getting farther away, as if he had decided on something.

  “Hey, Jackal.”

  “Why?”

  “N..no, never mind. Be careful of the Americans.”

  “How dry. You take care of Erika.”

  With his last words, Jackal turned the corner.

  Left alone, Hans Graham stared at where Jackal went off.

  “....Cherbourg’s devil.”

  Hans Graham stood still, not moving for a long time.

  *

  “Hey, Jap. You’re here again. So, what do you want today?”

  The American outpost.

  American Lieutenant Donald McGally greeted Jackal, grinning like an idiot.

  “I need some work to do. Captain Grace had told me to reach you if I needed a job.”

  “Oh…did Grace say that?”

  It seemed to be something new to Donald McGally. However, he soon thought of something and talked flippantly.

  “Of course. Look at me. I keep forgetting these days.”

  “Yes, did you think of something?”

  “I think I’ll remember if I get some Cognac in my belly.”

  “I’ll get you some next time.”

  Donald smiled with satisfaction, patted Jackal on the shoulders, and talked with a cigar in his mouth.

  “Captain Grace wants to see you.”

  Chapter 5

  Like the last time, the meeting took place in the vacant lot behind the building with snipers watching over them.

  Grace held a Lucky Strike in his mouth and lit it up.

  “Puff…”

  He remained silent as he exhaled smoke.

  “…..”

  It was an uncomfortable silence. He was getting rather annoyed.

  If you called someone, you should say something.

  But he just stood there smoking.

  Jackal didn’t know whether he came here to smoke or to do business.

  He had no idea what he was thinking about.

  But Grace held the upper hand here.

  Jackal had no choice but to wait for the bald man to speak.

  ”Let’s see…”

  After a long time, Grace finally spoke out.

  “I was just thinking about something.”

  He had kept him waiting for 10 minutes, but no apology. It seemed that Jackal was just another Asian guy to him.

  “So, what do you need this time?”

  “I need some work.”

  “Work, huh? What a coincidence. I have the perfect job for a person like you. Just beat up somebody, but don’t kill him.”

  “Who is it?”

  “It’s a Soviet soldier called Andrei Popov. He always gets drunk and picks on the U.S soldiers. There were even several dangerous situations because of him. I’d like you to handle him so that he won’t do such things again. But don’t use weapons
.”

  After the end of the war, an invisible tension between the U.S and the Soviet Union had formed.

  The question was: who will take the initiative after the mighty Reich collapsed.

  Even the lowest ranking soldiers could feel this giant historic question. They knew for sure that the comrades of yesterday will become the enemy of tomorrow.

  In such situations, fights between the soldiers may escalate into a huge problem, just like a petty fight between the soldiers at the borderline escalated into the Sino-Japanese war and killed tens of thousands.

  So arbitrators like Grace preferred to use a third party to solve such problems.

  “You’ll get good news soon.”

  Jackal accepted the offer without hesitation.

  “But why did you call me? I heard from Captain McGally that you wanted to see me.”

  “Oh, I almost forgot.”

  Captain Grace tapped his shiny bald head once.

  Jackal thought as he watched him.

  ‘He must be losing his memory along with his hair.’

  Hans must have burst into laughter if he heard this.

  “The reason why I called you is because I wanted to ask you something.”

  “Ask me anything.”

  Jackal was ready to answer anything.

  As long as it didn’t concern the fact he was the Devil of Cherbourg.

  “You had asked me before if I was looking for a pretty little girl, right? Right here."

  “Oh… is that what you wanted to ask me?”

  It was bit unexpected. Thought it was already finished. But it also wasn’t Jackal’s style to discuss about something that he was familiar with, right away.

  “Is it still valid?”

  “I can’t say, but I can give it a try if you want.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, there’s always a high demand for pretty little girls.”

  “And what do you mean by that?”

  “I turned her over to a Soviet officer wishing to remain anonymous.”

  Jackal raised one eyebrow and smiled cruelly. He looked like a whoremonger with that look on his face.

  Grace looked at Jackal deridingly and commented.

  “You’re a real piece of trash.”

  “If you want, I can save her again. But it’s going to be a bit costly.”

  “Really?”

  Grace pulled out a photo from his pocket.

  “Have you seen her?”

  “Let me take a look.”

  Jackal was taken aback as he looked at the picture.