The Call of the Thunder Dragon Read online

  The Call of the Thunder Dragon

  ‘A Journey to the West’

  Continuing the adventures of Falstaff Wild

  by

  Michael J Wormald

  Smash Words Edition 2016

  ‘John Falstaff Wild’ and ‘The continuing Adventures of Falstaff Wild’ Copyright 2007 & 2015. ‘The Call of the Thunder Dragon’ Copyright 2015 Michael John Wormald.

  First Published: 18th April 2015

  Publisher: Michael J Wormald Publishing

  The right of Michael John Wormald to be identified as the author of this Work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise transmitted without written permission.

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people

  If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient.

  ISBN: 978-0-9933256-0-1

  For

  ‘English Rose Sweet’

  CONTENTS

  CONTENTS v

  Illustrations and Maps xl

  Prologue xliv

  At the controls of the obsolete Biplane skimming outrageously close to the surface of the flooded rice paddies, its English pilot brazened it out in the open cockpit. As behind him, bombs continued to fall on a burning airfield. xliv

  Chapter One - Hot Water on Fire Top Mountain xlviii

  Falstaff’s delight was short lived. Pulling up over the crowded bridge, he found himself flying through a rain of wreckage. Buffeted on all sides, he felt a violent impact against one of the wings of the little brown Polikarpov. He barely had time to level the biplane out, point it in the general direction of the wettest looking paddy and hope for the best; before his engine, giving a final splutter of indignation, cracked its pistons. Oil, broken rods and splintered casings spewed forth in a hot steaming burst of resentment. xlviii

  Falstaff reckoned he had only been unconscious for a few moments. He felt like a mountain had fallen on him. There were still a few refugees drifting along the road accompanied by wisps of smoke from the now burning truck, but there was no sign of the ground crew or Sam Wong. li

  ‘Seh lang’ liúmáng? Chinese; ‘pervert’. ‘Hua Hua Gong zi’ a Flower-Flower, a playboy. 557

  Chinese Shu = Xi, Ximahe River 557

  Pu’er China, as in the Tea growing region, sometimes known as Pu-erh Tea 557

  Chapter Two – On the Edge with tea lvi

  Zam led them around the mountain, following the same row of grey leafless shrubs around the ridge to the south. There sat precariously on the crest of the highest terrace was the flying machine. lvi

  Brooklands was a 2.75-mile (4.43 km) motor racing circuit and aerodrome built near Weybridge in Surrey, England, 1907 to 1939 557

  Falstaff may not know it the designation for the float/sea Caproni Ca. 3 version was Ca.39 557

  1919 Verona Caproni Ca.48 crash 557

  Lake Meizihu the Plum lake, Pu’er 557

  Chapter Three – Into the boiling pot came the pigs lxxv

  On the crest of the next ridge, two figures emerged, their binoculars flashing as they caught the sun. They were joined by others, soon thirty or forty men stood on the tree line watching the bright red Caproni as it flew trailing a thin wisp of black smoke south towards Lake Meizihu. The efficient Japanese war machine lined up ready to go to war. lxxv

  Sensei – teacher/master(guru) Dono, lord/’my master’ Japanese honourifics 557

  See ‘Falstaff Gets into Hotwater’ 557

  In the dim light Colonel Haga-Jin adjusted his glasses again. He was frustrated; he was sure Captain Soujiro had gotten them lost and was now ready to reprimand him. lxxxvii

  Chapter Four – Morning Tea xcii

  It was early morning. The sun had not risen yet. Falstaff was lying on his back watching the ceiling. His bed a simple low wooden pallet with a thin mattress. Falstaff had woken with the dull pain of his throbbing ribs. There was a pleasing aroma, of smouldering pine wood burning, coming from the firepot beneath the bed. The Chinese Kang style stone work chimney at the head of the bed drew the smoke away, while the heat warmed the bed. xcii

  Okura woke with a banging head. He and his fellow agents were sharing the room. It was normally intended for two. However, a third mattress had been added on the floor to accommodate them. xciv

  On his way back to his room, as Falstaff turned the corner, he bumped into a man coming the opposite direction. xcv

  Gomennsai, Japanese I’m sorry 557

  Colonel Haga-Jin stamped up and down the foyer of the hotel. It was bad enough that his agents had slept in, but discovering one of them was missing while the other two slept made his temper boil. When the two remaining agents, bleary eyed, with wine and garlic on their breaths appeared late, Haga-Jin wrath was barely contained. He had gritted his teeth, snarling he ranted in a hiss until this triggered a nose bleed. xcviii

  A Chinese sword shaped like a curved meat cleaver; also known as the ‘big-sabre’. 557

  Mafeng – Hornets 557

  Marihito was tired and hungry when he got back to the hotel. He’d found Captain Soujiro and his men in the woods and waited with them while they radioed the other units for updates on their mission. cviii

  Marihito was hitting his stride now. Firstly he bought several Taro buns, pan-fried cakes filled with sweet taro paste and with piles of sliced almonds on top. At the table, he scribbled his plans in his note book. Then licking his fingers clean of crumbs, put on his overcoat and hat before going search of a printers. cix

  Falstaff was up and about, although the sun had set. He had slept nearly all day and was now anxious to get back to the aircraft. Zam managed to get a list of mechanics and car, or truck owners in the area likely to be of help. The Doctor visited bringing a large bag of the tea to ‘quicken and balance the Blood’ he said. cix

  Meizi Plum Lake derives its name from Maisie River 557

  Guwahati is two Assamese words: 'guwa' (the areca nut) and 'haat' (market place) Pronounced Gowhatty, anglicized to Gauhati during British rule. The name changed to its present form in 1980s to conform to local pronunciation. ‘Guwahati’ 557

  After quickly washing and scrubbing down, they’d stepped into the moonlight naked, then sunk into the hot steaming water of the thick wooden tub. Frost was growing thick around the edges of the steam cloud where the warm air failed to penetrate. Less mesmerised by the naked displays of the night before, Falstaff was more composed and focused on his or Zam’s nudity. China had a different view of nudity; especially when washing. There was nothing suggestive about it. Taking your clothes off to bathe and jump naked into a hot tub with the rest of the bathers was normal and not a step towards anything else, as many Westerners might view it or Falstaff liked to imagine it. cxiii

  The bed in place nearly filled the room, currently piled high with spare bedding, at the far end of the room was another door. Marihito crept forward, holding the cases to stop them banging against the wall. He had heard people rushing by and sounds of shouts or orders; he guessed they were coming from the terrible manageress who’d so absurdly chased him away. Taking a deep breath, he tried the door. To his surprise, it was unlocked. Once outside, Marihito found the corridor leading to the rooms at the front of the hotel. cxix

  Chikushoo, Japanese, Damn it 557

  Zam fussed over Falstaff, who had shaken off the effects of the incident and was already pacing the room anxious to be away. However, they
were again stuck in the room together while the police tried to put together what had happened. cxxii

  Falstaff and Yam strolled up the avenue, stopping to investigate the stalls as they went along. They were heading towards the ‘change shop’ and telegraph office at the top of the avenue. There was also the town’s only other permanent shops. The rest being market stalls, Farm foods and dried fish stalls, that changed day and night, winter and summer. The three shops were firstly the Medicine shop, which also sold local tea and two Chinese department stores, which also sold the local ubiquitous Pu’er teas for the tourists. cxxix

  Chapter Five – Lotus Tea Society cxxxiv

  Marihito marched up the avenue. His suitcase in hand, trying to look as smart and official as he could. The local Police station was on the edge of the town at the top of the hill on the road from Meizi to Simao and the main road leading back out of the hills to next big town. cxxxiv

  Falstaff and Zam returned to the hotel directly. Carrying the bags of warm clothes and hot water bottles. Falstaff had also managed to find, after some explanation to the shopkeeper a travel tea set, which included a little cooking stove. cxxxvi

  After two hours it was nearly done, half the plugs had been replaced; One of the brothers worked away loosening the plugs while Falstaff inspected them with a wary eye. cxli

  Despite his fears Falstaff grew weary and sitting on a log he started to doze off cxlii

  Zam had bathed, eaten and rested. Expecting to get an early start the next morning. With nothing to do she looked over the maps laid out on the floor. There were plies of paper with notes, endless numbers and names of places. Amongst them, she found a picture. An idle scribble on the back of one page. A woman naked accept for shoes and hat. Sporting an amble, bouncing bust and long legs, posed with hand on hip. Falstaff had further embellished his sketch with a red pencil coloring her hair and shoes. Zam angrily shoved the picture and papers aside. Finding it was nearly six o’clock she went down to the foyer no longer able to stay in the same room alone. She let herself become stuck in a long conversation full of idle gossip with Song while she inwardly fumed at Falstaff. cxliii

  “You’re going out?” Zam exploded. Screaming over Falstaff’s mumbled apology a few minutes later. cxlix

  Colonel Haga-Jin’s humour had not improved. Even after Marihito explained his plan and how he had managed to break into the hotel undetected and secure any incriminating evidence. cxlix

  Having chased down the houseboy with his boots, Falstaff pulled them on. Throwing a copper at the boy who’d fallen asleep by the fire instead of cleaning them. They were at least dry and warmed through thought Falstaff. clii

  Colonel Haga-Jin marched behind the flag of the rising sun. Down the hill they marched towards the main avenue and the shore line. The sun appropriately was just rising over the town. clv

  Zam had tapped Falstaff on the temple. “Did you hear that?” She said. clvi

  The shot made Falstaff jump back from the window. He heard shouting outside, but the sound of pounding feet made him turn towards the door. He lunged hooking his holster up with his left hand, transferring the revolver to his right in one motion, his finger curled around the trigger, ready to face the coming noise. clvii

  The Colonel made his speech again. Takechi had not reappeared. The plan had been to finish with the capture of the Englishman. Then immediately release the prisoners and march to the lake shore. They had already radioed for the plane to land and take them off. Turning red, Haga-Jin jumped down and glowered about spitefully staring gathering crowd. clix

  The four houseboys had rushed to the Falstaff and Zam’s room. The room was now bare, the bed empty, the mattress pulled aside and left leaning against the wall. The cast iron firepots doused and removed. Finally, the maid and house boys slid the door to, ensuring the door remained firmly on its wooden rails. clxi

  Falstaff crouched behind a pile of logs facing the back door in the wooden fence into the hotel and the boiler rooms. The shouting inside continued for some time with no sign of pursuit. His calves trembled as he squatted. His feet were wet in a puddle of icy water. He wished he had his flying boots, which he hoped by now had been cleaned and reclaimed by Zam or hidden away by someone. The thin leather shoes he’d bought at the department store were loose. clxii

  Captain Soujiro marched outside clutching the register. Colonel Haga-Jin took the book and started checking all the names thoroughly. “Bring them out!” He cried, calling the name of any resident who hadn’t checked out. clxiv

  Falstaff had been watching from a side alley further up the street. He saw Zam amongst crowd in front of the hotel. Sensibly the crowds were starting to disperse, taking cover in doorways or alleys. clxvii

  Colonel Haga-Jin, gripping the boots in one hand and his pistol in the other berated the crowd. Demanding they bring him the pilot. Captain Soujiro was no kinder to the prisoners he ordered the bayonet’s to be pushed closer. The prisoners jostled in a huddle trying to escape the scratching bayonets. clxviii

  Kawanishi Aircraft manufacturer. It was founded 1920 in Hyōgo as part of the Kawanishi conglomerate, which had been funding the Nakajima Aircraft Company. Best known for float planes, its First aircraft the K-1 Mail-carrying Aircraft in 1921 before the Kawanishi Type 97 H8K (Emily) flying boat able to carry up to 60 troops. 557

  Haji; Japanese for Shame. Japanese are mindful and evaluate the eyes of others to avoid shame. They have very high self-esteem, limited only by their own merit and credentials; thus, they would typically never attempt to do the work of others or even face higher authority. They always think how to avoid being put to shame. If one is shamed, they are wounded emotionally. They are afraid of being in such a situation. As such, there is a culture of shame in Japan, used as a social control. 557

  Falstaff awoke back in their room. Zam soothing a bump on his head. He looked at her with a smile. Had it been a dream he thought? Then he focused on the noise that had woken him. The roar of one of the four engined flying boats taking off. clxxiii

  Falstaff pulled Zam up into the cockpit, they crawled into the nacelle, cramped, cosy and dim, it offered adequate protection from the elements. Falstaff showed Zam how to light the stove to boil water for hot water bottles and tea. clxxvi

  Colonel Haga-Jin clasped and up clasped his hands. The cold wind was stinging his newly stitched face. He pulled the thick overcoat tight against the stinging buffeting wind. clxxvii

  The Police sergeant stood back shaking his head. Never had the resort ever had such unwanted guests. He hoped he’d never see the like again. Swearing to the gods of the river. He would rather the town be drowned and taken by the river than have to suffer such an invasion again. clxxx

  The snow was thick and visibility poor. Inside the Kawanishi was chaos. The equipment and machine guns had been thrown aboard, waiting on the floor to be stowed. Instead the men pressed their faces to the windows, searching the skies. clxxxi

  Chapter Six – The Journey Begins clxxxiii

  Falstaff steered the course he’d memorised, checking with Zam against the headings he’d written down. clxxxiii

  Irrawaddy River or Ayeyarwady River (or 'Irawati' River in Hindi) 557

  The Poem Mandalay by Kipling, 1919 was later adapted to song with Music by Oley Speaks and was sung by Lawrence Tibet in the 1934 film ‘Mandalay’ 557

  557

  Jute the name of the plant fibre that used to make burlap, Hessian or gunny cloth. 557

  Zam regularly handed cups of hot rice, wine or tea to him. The piping hot rice and tea filled his insides with a warm glow. Mouthfuls of dried beef that had to be well chewed kept the muscles in his face from freezing altogether. He encouraged Zam to stay of out the wind, under the cover of the cabin. After a couple of hours, Zam had become bored and in the warmth of the cabin fell asleep. clxxxvi

  Falstaff was furious, the rear engine was running rough and irregular. Then Zam come forward to tell him how much hotter it was. The oil lost was still trailing in drips behind
them. It was the last straw for the pilot. cxcii

  Zam yawned, stretching and felt the light bounce of the cabin against the air. She stifled a scream, suddenly realising where she was. High in the air, sleeping in the clouds, having nodded off again. She felt sick and elated all at once as she rubbed her eyes to wake herself. She crawled to the cockpit. Falstaff’s thick outer coat was hard and frozen. She nudged him again. Terrified at the lack of response she crawled into the co-pilot seat. cxciii

  The Japanese pilot relayed the news back to Colonel Haga-Jin. It had been an uneasy flight. Following the slow Caproni had been easy, but the Japanese Colonel and the troops were cold and impatient. Keeping at high altitude, they slipped over the mountains, plotting the Caproni’s course from above. Never losing sight of the red machine, as it flitted through the white clouds below, trailing a thin black wisp of oily smoke. cxcv

  Zam wriggled into the co-pilot’s seat, urgently tugging at Falstaff’s arm. cxcvi

  The machine gunner in the bow fired in frustration as soon as Falstaff turned. The red flying boat’s approach was too fast for him to follow, even as he corrected his aim, the Caproni suddenly rose into the air and flashed overhead. cxcvi

  Colonel Haga-Jin was furious. His rage vented over the intercom had done nothing to slow him down. He entered the cockpit shaking his fist and pointing at the pilot. cxcix

  Taking one bag between them they left the Caproni moored on the riverbank amongst the trees. A short walk brought them out on the side of a field. Skirting the edge they found a path leading to a dirt track road. ccvi

  Saya – Japanese wooden scabbard for the blade. 557

  Falstaff standing in the middle of the road cocked his ear. “Hullo! I hear something.” ccx