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thinking of his family now. They needed his protection, be it from the Japanese or some angry lynch mob that might go wild during the night.
    And at that instant there were more flashes of light. It was impossible to see from which direction they were coming, or where they were hitting, but a deep rumbling echoed around them as the first shells impacted into Honolulu, as the attacking fleet rounded Diamond Head.
    He thought of his comrades, Collingwood, the crew from the decrypt center. What the hell could they do now? Their building had been destroyed in the third strike. What can we do?
    But he knew he had to go back, even if just to be with them. Annapolis, twenty years of active duty, were ingrained too deeply into his soul to turn his back on that duty now. He had to be with them, even if the gesture was useless, even if it meant leaving all he had left in this world.
    He drew the .38 out from his belt, handed it to Margaret and clumsily fished out the box of shells and gave them to her as well.
    “I’m leaving this here with you,” he said, hesitating, “just in case.”
    “In case of what?” He didn’t reply at first.
    “I wish to hell you had let me train you with this,” he said.
    She held the gun nervously and Janice came over, took the pistol, gripping it properly.
    “I’ll give her a quick run-through,” Janice said. “I used to go shooting with Tom all the time. This is a double action, isn’t it?”
    “First cylinder’s empty. Load it up,” James said.
    “Any news?” she asked, and he briefly told her about the bombardment on the east side of the island.
    “I was getting set to go down to the fire station, where they’re setting up a blood bank center,” she said. “I’ll get Nana and Margaret settled in first though, and show her how to use the gun.”
    “Thanks, Janice.”
    He hesitated.
    “Maybe you should stay here as well,” James finally said, “just in case things,” again a pause, “turn ugly.”
    “It’s only a couple of blocks to the fire station,” she replied casually. “Besides this neighborhood is mostly folks like…”
    Her voice trailed off, and her gaze was lowered for a moment.
    Like us, he thought, Japanese or half Japanese.
    “Promise me this, though,” he replied. “If this is the start of an invasion, I want you to get the hell out. Get Margaret and Nan, get up into the mountains and wait it out.”
    He paused.
    “Remember what I told you about Nanking. You got one pistol between the three of you, I expect you to know how to use it.”
    Damn, this was starting to feel like a bad movie, he thought. What am I supposed to do next, tell her to save the last three bullets for themselves?
    “Got ya,” Janice said airily.
    She stepped back from the car window, casually flipping the gun open and taking an extra shell out of the box. She slipped it into the cylinder, snapping it shut and testing the feel of the gun. Herhusband, career army, had obviously taught her well. James tried to reassure himself that they’d be safe.
    Margaret came back alongside him, reached in, and touched his face.
    “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “You know I love you.”
    She hesitated, and he could sense that she was tempted to try a coup, to simply pull the car door open and drag him out. And as he gazed back at her, only inches away, he silently appealed for her not to do it. He was weak, exhausted, in pain, and just might succumb, and then forever after hold himself in contempt.
    The hesitation lingered, and then she leaned in closer, putting a hand behind his neck, drawing him in, kissing him passionately.
    “I understand,” she whispered, pulling back, her voice near to breaking.
    He started to reach up to grasp the steering wheel and inwardly cursed. He no longer had his claw on. Fumbling, he braced the steering wheel with his legs, using his right hand to shift into reverse.
    She stepped back from the car, tears streaming down her face.
    “But if you get yourself