Ghosts of Okinawa

Leatherneck · 10-21-2006, 11:39 PM

Okinawa, October 31st, 1991 – Halloween.

3rd Reconnaissance Battalion is undergoing land navigation training in Okinawa’s Northern Training Area (NTA).

“Can I help you Lieutenant?”

“Yeah, Top. I just finished the course. Your training NCO, Cpl Jones, said that if I wanted to go back out and do another card, I needed to see you. He says he’s issued all of his course cards.”

“Well, I’ve got one card left.”

“But it’s too hard for you, Sir. It’s in the toughest part of NTA.”

“C’mon Master Sergeant Smith, I can do these courses in my sleep. You’ll be running the exercise for another six hours.”

“Well, I dunno, Lieutenant…we haven’t let anybody do that part of the course in a long, long time.”

“There’s a lot of old mama-san tales about that part of the island.”

“Top – give me that card.”

“Aye, aye, Sir.”

“…But you better keep your head out of you’re a$$ out there, Sir. It’s tough country.”

“Geez – these coordinates are out there. Finally, a course that’ll be challenging. What part of NTA is this last box in? I’m not familiar with that area.”

“It’s on your map, Lieutenant Stark. But if you can find that box, I’ll be amazed.”

“Why’s that?”

“I helped build that course when I was a PFC in 1964. The war hadn’t been over for all that long back then – only 19 years – there were plenty of old salts around that still remembered it. …Rumor had it, that that coordinate is the very spot where the Jap Marines made their last stand of the war. I was on the detail that planted that box. The area gave me the creeps. Back in the 70’s, two Marines disappeared trying to find that box…The locals say the area is haunted…”

“Ooooh – and today is Halloween. Top, you’ve got to stay away from that saki with the habu snake in it. I’ll find your box – and I’ll bring it back to you.”

“Good luck, Lieutenant – you’re gonna need it.”

“…alright – last box. Top wasn’t kidding about the terrain, this has been a challenging card. ”

“The jungle here sure is disorienting. Everything looks kinda dead, too. OK, I must be here.”

“Just shoot my next azimuth....”

“…eighty seven, eighty eight …The box should be just ahead….man the jungle just feels like it’s closing in all around you here…”

“Ah ha!..that looks like a box up ahead…Top Smith has got to stay out of the local bars…heh, heh…”

“…there it is, last one – Zulu 13…”

“What the…!?! Hey, where’d it go?”

“What’s goin’ on with my compass? The dial is just spinning. Man, this jungle sure is getting dark and thick....”

[low whisper] :aaaooo….Maaarrriiiinne…..yyyooouuu…dddiiieee…

“What was that?”

“ah…there’s that box – up there.”

[low whisper] ….wwaaar not over….

“Hey! I know I just saw it!”

[low whisper] ….banzzzaaaiii!!!….

“What IS that!?!”

“Zulu 13 - There’s that box!”

“Hey, what’s that on the ground behind it?...”

[low whisper] :aaaooo….Maaarrriiiinne…..yyyooouuu…dddiiieee…

“Maybe there was something to what Top Smith said. This place is givin’ me the creeps…”

“What’s goin’ on!?! “

[louder] ….wwaaar…not... over… Maaarrriiiinne… yyyooouuu…dddiiieee…

“What the…???”

[louder] ….wwaaar…not... over… Maaarrriiiinne… yyyooouuu…dddiiieee!!!

[loud wailing] ….banzzzaaaiii!!!…. ….wwaaar…not... over… Maaarrriiiinne… yyyooouuu…dddiiieee!!!

“This can’t be happening!!”

[loud wailing] ….banzzzaaaiii!!!…. ….wwaaar…not... over… Maaarrriiiinne… yyyooouuu…dddiiieee!!!

…wwaaar…not... over… Maaarrriiiinne… yyyooouuu…dddiiieee!!!

“AAAAAAHHHHHGGG!”

“Top Smith, how many people do I still have out on the land nav course?”

“Just one, Skipper – Lt. Stark”.

“Huh? He finished hours ago, just a few minutes before I did.”

“Yessir, but he came in and demanded to get a more challenging course card.”

“…What was his last box?”

“…Zulu 13…”

“…wwaaar…not... over…”

-fin-

Johnny Canuck · 10-22-2006, 12:07 AM

Very Good Sir!
Most entertaining, I almost crapped my drawers when those Japanese marines appeared.

FieldmarshalX · 10-22-2006, 02:13 AM

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!killer story.Love the FX.

Leatherneck · 10-24-2006, 05:37 AM

Thanks, guys! :mrgreen:

It's just a stupid little comic book story, but it did take a lot of time and effort to get the pics the way I wanted them. Glad you enjoyed it, and took the time to post comments. I sincerely appreciate it.

Pangaea95 · 10-25-2006, 08:16 PM

Great halloween tale there, well done :!:

Bildschirmjaeger · 10-28-2006, 04:31 PM

A great one!

those Japanese skeletons gave me the creeps :shock:

:!:

Greetz from Holland, Anouk :mrgreen:

broadsword6 · 11-08-2006, 05:51 PM

Neat story! You should post it over at Fantasynet.com. I'm sure it would be welcomed!

Leatherneck · 11-08-2006, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by broadsword6";p=&quot

Neat story! You should post it over at Fantasynet.com. I'm sure it would be welcomed!

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Thanks for the tip about Fantasynet.com. I'm busy enough with the two boards that I already post on, and doubt that I would visit often enough to bother with registering. Feel free to post a link there to this thread if you like.

broadsword6 · 11-09-2006, 02:32 PM

Leatherneck: I did link your story over to Fantasynet. I think you'll find a whole new fan base for this story!

Leatherneck · 11-09-2006, 07:52 PM

Broadsword - Hey thanks! I do like some scifi/fantasy genres but 1/6 scale military figures are utilizing 90% of my shelf space these days. It is fun, now and then, when I can incorporate the two themes.

10-21-2006, 11:39 PM	#1
Leatherneck Brigade Commander Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 3,289 Images: 21	Ghosts of Okinawa Okinawa, October 31st, 1991 – Halloween. 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion is undergoing land navigation training in Okinawa’s Northern Training Area (NTA). “Can I help you Lieutenant?” “Yeah, Top. I just finished the course. Your training NCO, Cpl Jones, said that if I wanted to go back out and do another card, I needed to see you. He says he’s issued all of his course cards.” “Well, I’ve got one card left.” “But it’s too hard for you, Sir. It’s in the toughest part of NTA.” “C’mon Master Sergeant Smith, I can do these courses in my sleep. You’ll be running the exercise for another six hours.” “Well, I dunno, Lieutenant…we haven’t let anybody do that part of the course in a long, long time.” “There’s a lot of old mama-san tales about that part of the island.” “Top – give me that card.” “Aye, aye, Sir.” “…But you better keep your head out of you’re a$$ out there, Sir. It’s tough country.” “Geez – these coordinates are out there. Finally, a course that’ll be challenging. What part of NTA is this last box in? I’m not familiar with that area.” “It’s on your map, Lieutenant Stark. But if you can find that box, I’ll be amazed.” “Why’s that?” “I helped build that course when I was a PFC in 1964. The war hadn’t been over for all that long back then – only 19 years – there were plenty of old salts around that still remembered it. …Rumor had it, that that coordinate is the very spot where the Jap Marines made their last stand of the war. I was on the detail that planted that box. The area gave me the creeps. Back in the 70’s, two Marines disappeared trying to find that box…The locals say the area is haunted…” “Ooooh – and today is Halloween. Top, you’ve got to stay away from that saki with the habu snake in it. I’ll find your box – and I’ll bring it back to you.” “Good luck, Lieutenant – you’re gonna need it.” “…alright – last box. Top wasn’t kidding about the terrain, this has been a challenging card. ” “The jungle here sure is disorienting. Everything looks kinda dead, too. OK, I must be here.” “Just shoot my next azimuth....” “…eighty seven, eighty eight …The box should be just ahead….man the jungle just feels like it’s closing in all around you here…” “Ah ha!..that looks like a box up ahead…Top Smith has got to stay out of the local bars…heh, heh…” “…there it is, last one – Zulu 13…” “What the…!?! Hey, where’d it go?” “What’s goin’ on with my compass? The dial is just spinning. Man, this jungle sure is getting dark and thick....” [low whisper] :aaaooo….Maaarrriiiinne…..yyyooouuu…dddiiieee… “What was that?” “ah…there’s that box – up there.” [low whisper] ….wwaaar not over…. “Hey! I know I just saw it!” [low whisper] ….banzzzaaaiii!!!…. “What IS that!?!” “Zulu 13 - There’s that box!” “Hey, what’s that on the ground behind it?...” [low whisper] :aaaooo….Maaarrriiiinne…..yyyooouuu…dddiiieee… “Maybe there was something to what Top Smith said. This place is givin’ me the creeps…” “What’s goin’ on!?! “ [louder] ….wwaaar…not... over… Maaarrriiiinne… yyyooouuu…dddiiieee… “What the…???” [louder] ….wwaaar…not... over… Maaarrriiiinne… yyyooouuu…dddiiieee!!! [loud wailing] ….banzzzaaaiii!!!…. ….wwaaar…not... over… Maaarrriiiinne… yyyooouuu…dddiiieee!!! “This can’t be happening!!” [loud wailing] ….banzzzaaaiii!!!…. ….wwaaar…not... over… Maaarrriiiinne… yyyooouuu…dddiiieee!!! …wwaaar…not... over… Maaarrriiiinne… yyyooouuu…dddiiieee!!! “AAAAAAHHHHHGGG!” “Top Smith, how many people do I still have out on the land nav course?” “Just one, Skipper – Lt. Stark”. “Huh? He finished hours ago, just a few minutes before I did.” “Yessir, but he came in and demanded to get a more challenging course card.” “…What was his last box?” “…Zulu 13…” “…wwaaar…not... over…” -fin- __________________ Green side out! Brown side out! Run in circles, scream and shout!

10-22-2006, 12:07 AM	#2
Johnny Canuck Battalion Commander Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Canada Posts: 1,360	Very Good Sir! Most entertaining, I almost crapped my drawers when those Japanese marines appeared. __________________ Johnny Canuck Basil: "Oh, German! I'm sorry, I thought there was something wrong with you."

10-24-2006, 05:37 AM	#4
Leatherneck Brigade Commander Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 3,289 Images: 21	Thanks, guys! :mrgreen: It's just a stupid little comic book story, but it did take a lot of time and effort to get the pics the way I wanted them. Glad you enjoyed it, and took the time to post comments. I sincerely appreciate it. __________________ Green side out! Brown side out! Run in circles, scream and shout!

10-25-2006, 08:16 PM	#5
Pangaea95 Site Admin Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 4,700 Images: 7	Great halloween tale there, well done :!: __________________ "In Stalingrad I learned that natural body oils mixed with dirt will make you waterproof....."Kruger

10-28-2006, 04:31 PM	#6
Bildschirmjaeger Rifleman Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Eindhoven - The Netherlands Posts: 89	A great one! those Japanese skeletons gave me the creeps :shock: :!: Greetz from Holland, Anouk :mrgreen: __________________ "I am nothing, we are everything" - Kurt Meyer

10-22-2006, 02:13 AM	#3
FieldmarshalX Sniper Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 121	WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!killer story.Love the FX.

11-08-2006, 05:51 PM	#7
broadsword6 Rifleman Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 55	Neat story! You should post it over at Fantasynet.com. I'm sure it would be welcomed! __________________ It's better to be hated for what you are, than loved for what you're not.

11-09-2006, 02:32 PM	#9
broadsword6 Rifleman Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 55	Leatherneck: I did link your story over to Fantasynet. I think you'll find a whole new fan base for this story! __________________ It's better to be hated for what you are, than loved for what you're not.

11-09-2006, 07:52 PM	#10
Leatherneck Brigade Commander Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 3,289 Images: 21	Broadsword - Hey thanks! I do like some scifi/fantasy genres but 1/6 scale military figures are utilizing 90% of my shelf space these days. It is fun, now and then, when I can incorporate the two themes. __________________ Green side out! Brown side out! Run in circles, scream and shout!

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