Surrender the Sun: A Post Apocalyptic Dystopian Thriller by A R Shaw Read Free Book Online Page A

2018, China attacked Japan over the disputed Senkaku Islands. An all-out war converged in the East China Sea by air, land, and water. At the time before the attack, the number of active duty members of the US military was at an all-time low since the Cold War. When the US joined the fight to protect Japan’s interests, the draft was implemented immediately to bolster its numbers when the military troop casualty rate suddenly skyrocketed. The country needed more able-bodied men, and Bishop was one of them.
    Bishop was drafted immediately, as his age and fitness score made him a perfect candidate. Instead of heading off to Maryland for the internship, he was measured for a head-to-toe individual protection combat uniform, taught how to use an M4, and deployed to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. This sudden change in his life happened so quickly that he found himself shooting at the enemy only after bullets whizzed by his head as he wondered how in the world he’d arrived there in the first place or how he’d ever survive.
    In the end, the task was simple: kill or be killed. That’s what it all boiled down to. Gun down, bomb, or massacre as many of the enemy as possible before they killed you and your buddies. He found he was pretty good at the killing part with his M16. Because of that, and his degree, he ended up progressing through the ranks rather quickly and soon found himself directing, coordinating, and planning attacks.
    That’s where he met Roger Tildon. They were both part of the same unit and fought together many times. Both of them saved the other’s life too many times to count. Four years of battle turned into six and then eight, and Bishop was up for recommission one day when he walked into his major’s office on orders.
    Standing in front of a man with gold oak leaves on his fatigues, Bishop waited in the sparse room as the senior officer typed away on the rugged laptop before him on the metal desk like some secretary at the IRS during the last day of an audit. Bishop was finally left at ease and asked to sit on a nearby hard metal chair. Bishop thought the furniture of the room was from some other era, possibly the fifties. Nothing had changed in decades.
    Finally, the major stopped typing and looked up from his computer screen. Like the room, the officer himself looked like he belonged to another decade altogether. His jet-black hair with gray highlights was slicked back and plastered to his head and was flanked by silver-framed glasses and matching silver eyes. “It says here you’re ready to recommission.”
    Bishop didn’t respond because there was no question to the statement.
    “You have a choice, you know? I’ve looked at your record, and you’ve served your time here, Captain Bishop. You’ve done your part. We’re winning the battle and hope this will all be over soon. You can go home. We’re starting troop withdrawal anyway.”
    Home? Some part of him remembered the concept, but with bullets tearing soldiers down next to you, you quickly forget what home is all about. Instead, you focused on the survival stuff. Home was something that could always wait.
    The major continued to scan through Bishop’s long list of achievements. In times past when he was sent in for this kind of review, there was no question if you should remain. It was just sign electronically here , which was just a swipe of your thumbprint. Turning the screen to him for his signature, the major waited for Bishop’s response.
    For his part, he sat there staring at the screen. Never before had he let his mind wander to this moment. He was certain that if he did, it would distract him, and distractions got his men killed. Clearing his throat, he braced his hands on his knees but never took his eyes off the screen.
    After observing Bishop, the major removed his glasses and directly stared at Bishop.
    “Captain, you’ve served your country well. It’s time you went home and used that degree you earned eight years ago.