“No problem, I will be here bright and early.”
“Excellent, I shall make your favorite breakfast; eggs, rice, spam, Portuguese sausage and taro rolls!”
Gary smiles broadly as he can almost taste it.
CHAPTER THIRTY
LANI GALE’S PLAN
Lani Gale looks to be very smug as she politely sips a cappuccino while sitting across the desk from her editor, James Mori. Mori is sitting back in his leather chair while enjoying his own cappuccino. He insists they only use Hawaiian grown coffee and currently a small grower on Kauai has caught his attention and is supplying all the coffee consumed at the newspaper, including espresso roast. Today he is splurging and making use of his new espresso maker, though Jimmy did have some difficulty getting it to work.
“Chief, I must admit that reward idea of yours was a no-questions-asked stroke of genius! I have at least a thousand tips already. They’re arriving by phone, fax, and internet and there’s a line of people down in the lobby waiting to offer information. And it’s only eight in the morning! Hell, I have tips from as far away as South Africa and Chile! It looks to me as if everyone in the world has seen this Yokoyama fellow at one time or another.”
“Alright then. I’m going to add six more temps to work on tip follow-up. You organize them and make sure we are the first to find Yokoyama. I have a hunch he’s still alive.” Mori picks up the newspaper and points to a computer enhanced photo of what Yokoyama might look like today.
“Get this printed on posters and have them prominently displayed at every newsstand in the islands. Someone must know who he was and where he went. By God, Lani, we’re going to find this man, or at the very least, we’re going to find his tombstone.”
Gale smiles, finishes her coffee and picks up her purse.
“Chief, we have the whole world helping us so it’s only a matter of time now. Somewhere along the way he either told someone his story, or someone who helped him will step forward. And let’s face it, one hundred thousand dollars speaks volumes!”
Gale rises from her chair and says, “On that note, I’m outta here!”
Mori smiles as he watches her leave. “It’s a great day to be in the newspaper business.” He thinks to himself.
CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
NURSE SUN JIN-HO
Ken and Sun are enjoying the view of the cherry blossoms from the backyard lanai. Sun is waiting for Gary to arrive so she can finish preparing breakfast when the sound of Gary pulling into the driveway draws their attention and the sight of him running hard for the lanai brings smiles to their faces.
“Grandpa! Kapuna! You scare me when I don’t see you right away!
Sun smiles at his excitement and quickly returns to the kitchen to finish cooking breakfast. Ken raises both his hands, palms up, motioning Gary to calm down.
“My dear grandson, do not be so worried. Obviously nobody has claimed the reward yet. If it is deemed I am to be discovered then what is there for me to do? We are not going to suddenly disappear so my advice for you is to not allow yourself be so easily alarmed.” Ken’s voice is barely above a whisper as he attempts to allay Gary’s nerves.
“Please sit down and make yourself comfortable. Your grandmother is finishing a wonderful breakfast for us, just as she promised.”
“Grandfather, isn’t there something you can do to keep from being found?”
“Gary, I am over ninety years old and have enjoyed much luck and many blessings to have lived so long and to remain reasonably healthy. No, there is nothing for me to do except to continue as I always have. I recall no teachings of Buddha that would suggest I change my path at this point in life, a path that has served me so well for so long.”
Sun carries out two plates, one overfilled with rice, poached eggs, Portuguese sausage and spam, and places it before Gary. The second plate is much more modestly filled with the same variety of food, which she hands to Ken. Sun disappears and quickly returns with her own plate, which, instead of spam and sausage, has a nice piece of ever-so-slightly seared ahi.
“Gary, please eat while your food is hot,” Sun urges.
As they begin to enjoy their breakfast Ken finds himself watching Gary very closely, enjoying the moment. He knows time may be running out on him and that knowledge fuels his desire to finish the story of his first life.
“Gary, I imagine you still want to learn the balance of my story, especially since so many people are interested in discovering who I am!” Ken smiles at the reference to the one hundred thousand dollar prize offered for him by the newspaper.
“Of course, Grandfather.” Gary talks through a mouthful of spam and Portuguese sausage.
“As you are aware I discovered I had an innate skill for understanding the principals of how an air conditioning unit operates. When an army reserve unit was authorized here in Oahu, I immediately joined. The extra pay, at a lieutenant’s rank no less, truly helped me to more quickly grow the business, around which my life revolved. I had come to grips with the fact I could never return to Japan, so I only looked to the future and that meant I was only looking forward with respect to making my company as busy as possible and employing as many people as I could afford. My employees were mostly of Asian descent, but my marketing people consisted of a married couple from Dallas, Texas. You know them, Tracy and Nannette. You are friends with all five of their grandchildren!”
Gary smiles as he recalls the various adventures he shared with the two youngest siblings, both boys. “Yes, grandfather, of course I know them.”
Ken and Sun finish their breakfast and wait for Gary to complete his. Once finished, Sun gathers all their plates, cups and glasses and takes them into the house. She returns with a large pitcher of iced tea and fresh glasses, pours each of them a glass and takes a seat to the left of Ken which allows her a clear view of her grandson.
Ken sits back in his chair, stroking his beard much as he has done before, and prepares to continue. Gary observes his facial features as decades appear to drop away, making him look much younger than he is.
“It was early in May, 1950 and I was at my desk typing a proposal to install air conditioning into the showroom of a large Ford Motors dealership in Honolulu. It was a very exciting prospect and our biggest project ever, should our bid prove decisive. I recall it was lunch hour when the phone rang. I was the only person in the office and as I picked up the phone there was no hint my life was about to be turned upside down, yet again.”
“Hello, Ken’s Climate Control. What may I do for you?”
“Good morning, I’m looking to speak with Lieutenant Kida.” The voice on the other end of the line is very formal.
“This is Lieutenant Kida. Who is calling?” I cannot disguise my surprise at being referred to as ‘Lieutenant Kida.’
“This is Captain Lewis over at Hickam. Sorry to bother you, but I do have a couple of questions.”
I cannot imagine what he might need to know. It does occur to me someone might have uncovered my background and I find myself suddenly quite nervous.
“Certainly, Captain. What would you like to know?”
“Well, first, I know you had a nasty head wound in Burma and spent more than a year in recovery. So tell me, are you suffering any lingering problems from that?”
“Thank you for asking Sir. I have experienced no ill effects for about three years now.”
“That’s good news. Glad to hear it. So tell me, your personnel file indicates you can both speak and read Korean. Is that true?”
I am surprised to be asked about my Korean language skills and think he might be wondering how I obtained them. But why would anyone be interested? I keep myself calm by thinking of the Ford contract. “Actually Captain, two of my employees are Korean so I practice my skills every day.”
“That’s great! Just what I was hoping to hear. Lieutenant, the Army needs your services again. You’re being activated for a twenty four month tour effective as of next week!”
“Twenty four month tour? W
here am I going?”
“Seoul.”
“Korea?” I cannot disguise my total surprise.
“Yes, Lieutenant, Korea. Glad you know where that is. Get yourself to my office one week from today and in the meantime I’ll be sending you written orders by courier as soon as I can sign them. Naturally, bring only the bare minimum. I hope this gives you enough time to manage your affairs, I understand you have a business to operate.” The tone of his voice tells me I have no leverage on the issue.
“I imagine it would do me no good if I were to tell you I required more notice.”
“Lieutenant, I would not go so far as to say it would do you ‘no good,’ but I would say that such a request would make no difference as to the final outcome. So don’t waste any time.” My mind is racing and I want to hang up, but the Captain has not yet finished with me.
“Listen Kida, and keep this information quiet, we are really strapped for interpreters over there, especially interpreters with combat experience. Something seems to be brewing and we don’t know what it is. But you are going to be part of our effort to discover just what in hell is going on and let me tell you that time is not on our side. So, Lieutenant, I’ll see you next week. Any more questions?”
“No, Captain. I will await your written orders and look forward to meeting you.”
“Great! Till then, waste no time!” He hangs up the phone leaving me staring at the receiver, in shock.
My first thought is I must finish this proposal and get it delivered today. However, I know I won’t be here to oversee the project, if it is accepted. So I must immediately begin to make interim management arrangements. I put the phone down for a moment and think about who I need to call. After a few moments I decide Sammy will run the business in my absence and immediately dial his number over in the warehouse. Fortunately for me, Sammy answers right away.
“Sammy! This is Ken. Something major has just happened. Can you come over to the office?”
“Of course. I have no appointments until later this afternoon and can be there in ten minutes.”
“Good, because it appears I am going to need you to run the company for the next two years so waste no time.” I hang up and think to myself: Two years! What if I am killed? Then what? I decide to make an appointment with my attorney and shall direct him to create a document that will turn ownership of the company over to my top employees so they can continue the business and preserve their jobs in the event of my death. I have been given only one week during which I must accomplish a great deal!
On the day before I am to report we learn we have been awarded the big Ford dealership contract. I can relax knowing that contract assures a source of work and income for my staff over the next several months and it will certainly help smooth over the transition while I am thousands of miles away.
A month quickly passes and I am sitting behind a desk in Seoul, South Korea. I am typing a translation of recently captured documents taken from a North Korean patrol that had penetrated across the border and been captured. As I translate them it appears to me this patrol was a recon for a larger assault across the border. But how large would the assault be? I must also consider the possibility the information was intentionally planted to create a pretense for an incursion. My thoughts are interrupted by the loud ringing of my field phone. I pick it up as fast as I can as the racket it makes is most unsettling.
“Lieutenant Kida speaking.” My mouth drops open as I listen to somebody identifying himself as ‘Major Robinson’ who is screaming the North Koreans have charged across the border by the thousands and I would get the hell out of Seoul if I had any sense at all. When he pauses to get his breath I respond:
“Yes Sir, I will do that right away.” Without indicating if he was finished, he hangs up. I think he heard my response, but it does not matter as time is not on my side.
I notice Corporal Kane is typing reports and calmly walk to the door, trying my best to appear calm and collected.
“Corporal?”
“Yes Lieutenant?”
“Corporal, I have some very bad news. The North Koreans have swarmed across the border and apparently have routed the South Korean Army. Scores of thousands of North Koreans are heading directly for us and they are coming fast. We must pack up everything we can and burn the rest. ASAP!” There is an unfamiliar edginess in my voice as my concern over the situation has overcome my normal ability to exert complete control over my emotions.
“Sir, are we instituting General Evacuation Plan A?”
“No, corporal. That plan assumes we have time. If we are not out of here in a couple of hours we may not be going anywhere ever again. Pack up what you can, burn the rest. We need to get ourselves to Taejan. I am going to requisition a truck and you get us a good road map, then start packing everything you can. But first, call in the rest of the platoon and get them over here. I want to pull out fast!”
“Sir, you can count on me! Oh, and Sir, I have set aside about six dozen cases of emergency food supplies, just for such an occasion, along with a few choice weapons. Sergeant Toyoda was quite instrumental in helping me on my little rainy day emergency project.”
I smile at the good news. “You two men are the kind of self-starters I like to have in my unit. Great work! Now get going while I find us a truck.”
The retreat South is infested with fear and disorganization. The fleeing units of the South Korean
Army are disheartened as well as undisciplined. I see defeat in the eyes of most of them which
I find to be very unsettling. After two hectic days we stop retreating and are situated in a newly
constructed defensive line near Taejon.
I have orders to attend a muster of all officers for a situational briefing. There must be over one hundred of us crammed into a very old warehouse and it is stifling hot. A make-shift stage has been quickly erected and someone has managed to find the flags, and flag stands, representing all of the countries present. A huge map of Korea is on a rickety easel to the right of the podium and the air is clogged with cigarette smoke, a habit I have yet to saddle myself with.
We come to attention upon the arrival of Major General Dean who briskly enters the stage from the left, picks up a large pointer and walks to the podium.
From the rear of the audience, responding to a hand gesture from the General, a Sergeant calls out: “At ease” and we return to our seats. General Dean waits as the room quickly grows silent.
“Gentlemen, as you are keenly aware the situation is critical. Supplies, replacements, reinforcements are all critical. Air support from the Navy has been the difference between slowing the North’s advance and total capitulation. But it takes time to bring more aircraft carriers, more supplies, more troops, more of literally everything we need.”
Dean walks over to the map and points to a location.
“We must hold the North Koreans right here at Taejon. It is absolutely imperative we hold this position for as long as possible and buy the time required to mount a full scale counter offensive. I am requesting each and every one of you to help buy us that time.”
He walks over to a table and pours himself a cup of hot coffee. I notice steam rising from the cup and wonder how does he drink hot coffee when his uniform is soaking through with sweat? Perhaps, like me, he has not been able to sleep.
“Intelligence has interrogated the small handful of prisoners we have managed to capture and it appears the North Koreans have likely committed all of their reserves as they seek to deal us a death blow. Clearly they have decided this is an all or nothing proposition and are betting they will win. Gentlemen, let’s take them up on that bet and stop ‘em in their tracks right here, right now.” He is interrupted by scattered cheers.
An Army Major stands, seeking his attention.
“Yes, Major, you have a question?”
“Pardon me, sorry to butt in Sir.” The Major has a Texas drawl, which brings a smile to Dean’s face.
“Well, General Sir, it just
seems to me that what them North Korean folks have on our doorstep is more like a stampede that’s doggone running out of control. That’s got nothing to do with gambling Sir. Again, beggin’ your pardon, but from where I sit it just don’t look to me as if they need any reserves.” The Major returns to his seat and we all await the Dean’s reply. Unfortunately, I have to agree with the Major. As an intelligence officer I often have critical information before Dean and ‘stampede that’s doggone running out of control’ is a description I agree with.
Dean moves behind the podium and grips it with both hands. I can see his knuckles turning red.
“That is a valid point you make, Major. But the fact remains we must buy time. Anyone who can carry a rifle, anyone who can walk or crawl and pull a trigger; all of them are being pressed into the lines. Only doctors, nurses and necessary medical staff are exempted. Just as the North Koreans have pulled out all the stops, so must we!”
He returns to the map and points to an area to the south of where we are presently digging in.
“We have a pretty good fallback position here, near Pusan. Korean laborers and what few engineers we have available to us are busy building a series of redoubts. In the event we cannot, in fact, hold here at Taejon we will make Pusan our final stand before we turn this around and take the offensive.”
Dean pauses as he drains his cup and takes a few moments to review his audience. We are all silent as we contemplate the coming day.
“Gentlemen! After Pusan there is only the Ocean and I absolutely disdain swimming in salt water so I urge you not to allow that happen!”
His comment results in a wave of somewhat nervous laughter.
“Godspeed to all of you!” He begins to walk off the stage as everyone stands, but pauses, turns to the gathering and salutes. He disappears through the same side doorway through which he entered. His speech does not convey anything to me other than the Army is planning on a further withdrawal to Pusan. In my mind this means I am part of a rear guard action, buying the General the time he needs. Unfortunately for General Dean, he will find himself a prisoner of the North Koreans in the near future.
Chameleons, a Novel Based Upon Actual Events Page 25