Ghost Brigade Chpt. 31

                                                      Hayate's Story

[Tokyo, Japan
On the streets of Tokyo
Wyatt, Kisuke, Duo, and Hayate en route to Sunshine 60
9:00 a.m., 13 Days into the battle
September 6, 2018]

Wyatt and company couldn't continue. There were to many deserted buildings, perfect hiding spots for enemy snipers. The group decide to hide behind rubbles.

Kisuke: How you holding up, Duo?
Duo: I think I'm okay.

Duo left arm was still wrapped in a cast and his head was still hurting but he takes off the bandages on his right arm and legs.

Kisuke: Can you still fight?

Duo takes out one of his blades with his right hand.

Duo: I guess... just as long as my right arm gets hurt in the process.
Kisuke: Good.

Hayate was cleaning his dual-wield spear. Sitting right across from Kisuke and Duo.

Hayate: So... Who's the kid?
Kisuke: He's Duo. I trained him.
Hayate: I see.
Kisuke: He was with Charleston.
Hayate: Charleston? Wyatt's older brother?
Kisuke: Yep.
Hayate: Cool.

Hayate continued cleaning his blade.

Duo: Captain Hayate?
Hayate: Please. Just call me Hayate.
Duo: Why were you alone?

Hayate stops cleaning and looks at Duo.

Hayate: Well... It happened like this...

He puts his weapon down.

Hayate: It was August 16. Few days before the actual Coalition invasion. Me and about 600 Coalition soldiers were supposed to repel the Underworld invasion force until August 25, that's when back-up arrives. I was the only Ghost Brigade member assigned to this mission. Apparently, the U.N. didn't trust a bunch of teenager mercenaries yet.
Duo: What happened?

Hayate stayed quiet for a little while.

Hayate: As the transports arrived at our city destinations, we were ambushed.

*FLASHBACK*

[Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo's airspace
Suppressing Force under heavy attack
11:00 a.m., arrival of the Coalition Army
August 16, 2019]

Flak and rockets were exploding in the air. Anti-air guns were repelling the Coalition Force. Hayate was standing next to the opened door of the Black Hawk right next to a Coalition soldier manning a machine gun. Suddenly, the soldier gets hit by four bullets, making him fall out of the other side door of the helicopter.

Hayate: You! Man the gun!

Another soldier goes to the machine gun and begins shooting. Hayate, noticed a red-light coming straight from under the helicopter. Hayate noticed what it was.

Hayate: Rocket!

The helicopter tries to dodge it, but it was too slow. The rocket hits the tail. The Black Hawk begins to spin out of control. Hayate and the crew held on as tightly as they could.

Hayate: Hang on to something!

The helicopter continued spinning around until it finally smashed into the ground. Scrap was scattered throughout the area.

*FLASHBACK ENDS*

Duo: Then what?
Hayate: When I regained consciousness, only two soldiers were still alive but they could barely move. I was badly hurt, but I could still move. Then, a Underworld squad arrived on the scene. I tried to help the wounded, but they told me to hide. I did, hiding behind a ruined wall.

Hayate stops and takes a deep breath.

Hayate: The enemy squad arrived at the crash site. They grabbed the two wounded soldiers and made them kneel. I peeked to see what was going on. I heard 6 gunshots. The enemy were shooting the dead to make sure they weren't faking it. The Underworld ask them to switch sides and their lives would be spared. The soldiers didn't take the offer and just like that... They... were executed.

Duo was shocked by the statement.

Hayate: I sat there. Doing nothing. I always wondered what I did was right and obeyed the soldier. The enemy soon left... leaving me alone.

This reminded Duo of something. Himself back in Britain.

Duo: I'm sorry...
Hayate: For what?
Duo: Asking something that would be painful to explain.

Hayate smiles.

Hayate: Don't worry about it. Both of you deserved to know.
Kisuke: So that's why we couldn't contact you.
Hayate: That's right.