The Fox, the Eagle and the Bulldog Chapter 6, a man in the high castle fanfic

Ch.6

Henry gazed out of the windshield in awe as the old, beat up metal car putted along the well-kept road. The road wound through the mountains, then it snaked through an opening in the mountains and flowed out like a river through the valley and towards the shore. Before him were the deep blue waters of the Pacific with a large Golden Bridge fording the gap between the cliffs on this side of the mainland and the island on the other side. Hans looked over at Henry from the passenger seat, "You've never seen it before." He said as he watched the young man's eyes moving rapidly to take in the view of the city.

"No," Henry said simply then he raised his eyebrows and looked at Hans, "It's something." He said and Hans nodded as their car approached the checkpoint at the mouth of the bridge.

"It certainly is." Hans said as their car joined a queue to go through the checkpoint. Henry reached into his suit pocket and pulled out two fake Pacific State passports.

"I hope to God your acting skills cover up that atrocious accent." Henry said as they pulled up to be next in line.

"I was just thinking the same thing," Hans said as they looked at one another silently for a moment before Henry was waved up to an open post with two Kempeitai guards stationed out front.

Henry opened his window and passed a Kempeitai officer the passports. The man looked at them intently then he looked at them both in the car, "What is your purpose for coming to San Francisco."

"We're both from Los Angeles," Henry said in an impeccable American accent, "Wanted to see the famed gem of the West." He said with a wan smile.

Hans leaned forward, "We heard the girls up here were something else." He added in a flawless American accent with a stupid grin.

The officer looked at them both with disdain as he handed them back the passports quickly as though touching them for too long would dirty his hands. He waved them through and Henry drove through without a backwards glance. After a few moments they entered the bridge and began driving across it, "You're rather good at this for a first timer." Hans said as he watched Henry who was staring at the road in front of him.

"I have been hiding my whole life Oberfuhrer," Henry said as he turned to look at Hans, "This is not my first time."

They drove into the city until they reached what looked to be an abandoned, dilapidated area. Henry pulled the car into a dark alley and parked it behind a dumpster. He looked at Hans then nodded and they both got out of the car together. As they walked towards the entrance of the alley Gary could be seen walking towards them with a tall, black man beside him. They all stopped about a foot from one another and Gary looked at Henry and nodded, "We haven't always seen eye to eye," He said and Henry furrowed his brow, "But you're a hell of an asset brother," He said as he reached out a hand, "Who says we can't work together on this?" He asked.

Henry smiled and stepped forward, taking Gary's hand, "No one." He said and Gary smiled.

"We sent out the sign, The British Bulldog," Gary said with a smile, "Now everyone knows you're here and the Kempeitai are scrambling to figure out what the hell that old name means." He said as the black man took up a post behind Hans as they all walked towards an alley door.

Henry furrowed his brow, "Was that wise?"

Gary shrugged, "Probably not, but it didn't hurt anyone or anything and now and again we need some hope." He said as he looked at Henry then grabbed his arm and nodded at the black man who stopped Hans, "A word," Gary said and Henry looked at him for a moment then nodded and they walked into the large, abandoned warehouse.

"Yes?" Henry asked as they stopped near a wooden table.

"That Nazi out there is a leading member of the Reich, you understand?" Gary asked and Henry furrowed his brow.

"We have a plan Gary, he is mine to handle." Henry said.

"If we can get the tape and take him out…" Gary began but Henry brought his elbow down quickly and decisively on the sturdy table which splintered and cracked in half with a loud noise.

Henry brushed the wood from his elbow and breathed out, "I may be young but you will not walk all over me Gary. We are brothers, but you are not my superior. We each have a mission here, stick to yours." Henry said and Gary looked at him for a moment.

"Fair enough." He said then walked to the door and waved Hans in. As Hans was passing through the door Gary grabbed a handful of his shirt and slammed him against the wall. Hans let out a breath of air as he clenched his jaw, "You're lucky that young man is as intelligent and professional as he is." Gary hissed, "Cause I'd kill you the first chance I got." He said and Hans looked at Gary for a moment then breathed in.

"Are you going to let go?" He asked and disgust crossed Gary's face as he shoved Hans against the wall and let go, rubbing his hands together as though attempting to rub sap off of them.

"Let's get this exchange over with then." Gary said as he turned to face Henry, "Oh, Henry this is Lem Washington." He said as he introduced the tall black man.

Henry smiled and shook the man's hand, "Heard a lot about you." Lem said as they shook hands, "Looks like all of it was true." He said as he looked at the table.

Henry winced, "Uh, yeah, sorry about that." He said and Lem shrugged.

"Ain't my table." Lem said and Henry nodded and shrugged.

"Fair enough." He said then he looked at Hans and nodded, "Ready?"

Hans looked at Henry for a moment, the young man was excited and nervous and he was trying desperately to hide it, to appear aloof. Hans felt a horrible pang of guilt in his chest but he nodded, "Trust me, I am as ready as you for this to end." He said and Henry looked at him for a moment then nodded. Both of them walked out of the warehouse and to the abandoned street. Henry looked across the street at a Chinese restaurant that was closed for the day and he nodded.

Hans and Henry leaned against the wall nonchalantly, facing one another as though they were having a discussion. Hans watched Henry's eyes as they darted all around the street, but he had to hand it to Henry, he was good at this. After a few moments Hans' trained ears picked up the sound of feet on pavement. Henry cocked his head, he heard something too but he didn't know what. Hans leaned in towards Henry and Henry looked at him with a furrowed brow, "Run." He said and Henry looked at him.

"Wha…" Henry said but Hans grabbed his shirt and threw him bodily into the middle of the street.

"Run, now." He said strongly and Henry's eyes widened as he realized what was happening.

He looked around then he quickly pulled a pistol from his suit jacket and pointed it at Hans. Hans didn't move a muscle or bat an eye, he simply looked at Henry, "Traitor!" Henry yelled and Hans breathed in.

"I am a member of the Reich, Henry," Hans said as he nodded, "I betrayed no one." He said as Henry furrowed his brow and tightened his grip on the pistol. Hans put his hands up and walked closer to Henry, "You won't shoot me." He said as he reached forward to take the pistol. As soon as their hands connected, Henry seemed to snap out of it. He brought his foot up in a menacing kick that sent Hans' head jerking to one side as he bit through his lip and sprayed blood all over the pavement. Henry could now hear voices and he put the pistol back in his suit jacket and began running down the street just as swarms of Kempeitai streamed from the alleys. He heard shouts behind him then he heard gunshots. He ducked his head slightly as he continued running. He could hear bullets whistling around him, tearing at his clothes as he ran as quickly as he could down the abandoned street. He knew he had to get back to a populated area of the city and he saw an alleyway up ahead and to his right. He ran towards it, turning the corner and coming face to face with a tall, middle-aged Japanese man wearing round spectacles and a black hat in a black suit and tie and a younger Japanese man in the same outfit.

There was a millisecond where their eyes met and recognition flashed in both of their eyes, Henry recognized that he was a Kempeitai man and Kido recognized that Henry was the boy they were looking for. Henry quickly shoulder-checked the younger Kempeitai man then delivered a vicious back kick to his chest, sending him reeling into Inspector Kido and causing them both to fall to the ground. He continued sprinting down the long alley, he could see foot traffic moving ahead of him and he knew he just had to make it until there. He heard shots behind him and he flinched slightly as he continued running. He burst out of the exit of the alley and into the stream of people. Some people jumped slightly as they looked at him and he raised his hands apologetically as he popped his collar and joined the crowd of people, walking down the street with his hands in his pockets and his shoulders hunched.

His head was buzzing in fear and confusion as his stomach churned and he fought the urge to throw up. He heard people shout in fear and confusion behind him and he knew the Kempeitai had streamed from the alley and were making a scene looking for him, but he also knew that they may be good but they wouldn't be able to spot him if he kept his cool. He was breathing shallowly and he knew he was going to black out in a few moments and there was no longer a way around it, the fear was too much and bottling it up was too much. He looked up as his vision began to tunnel in and out and he saw a sign for a bar. He walked into it and walked quickly to the back of the shadowy bar and into a bathroom. He locked the door behind him and immediately threw up into the toilet violently as he fell to his knees. He gasped and put his head on his arm, blacking out for a moment as his body regained its normal breathing pattern.

He came to a moment later and breathed in as he blinked and got up slowly, shakily. He went to the sink and splashed water on his face for a moment. He looked at his reflection, his sparkling blue eyes and brown hair that had become slightly unkempt but still didn't look out of place. He breathed out and collected himself then walked out of the bathroom, "Hey." The bartender said and Henry looked at him, "You alright kid?"

Henry smiled wanly as he walked up to the large, bald man, "Thank you for letting me use your bathroom." He said as he placed 5 yen on the bar, "I actually need to know where the nearest pay phone is please." Henry said as his eyes flicked to the window looking out over the street to see Kempeitai men in their green uniforms and white and red armbands marching around with their billy clubs raised high.

"New here?" The man asked as he took the note and Henry nodded, "It's just across the street, just inside the alley."

"Thank you," Henry said as he turned to move.

"Son," He said and Henry looked back at him, "The Pons tapped every phone line, they'll be able to hear everything you say." He said as he raised his eyebrows meaningfully.

Henry looked at him for a moment, "Thank you." He said in his American accent once more. He walked outside and headed across the bustling street, dodging trucks and carts and people. He saw the phone station ahead of him and walked towards it purposefully. He put in a couple coins then dialed a number he'd learned by heart.

"Hello?" A female voice responded to his call.

"It's Henry."

There was a sharp inhalation, "Henry, Gary just called me…"

"Yeah." Henry said as he leaned against the phone booth, "Yeah, but I am all right, I am alright."

"You know the Pons can hear everything we're saying."

"I've been told." Henry said then paused, "I'll make contact soon, but right now I need to lay low."

"They've sealed off San Francisco, no one's getting out." She said, "We can't get you out."

"The time for running and hiding is over." Henry said, "I'm in this fight, it's time for me to stay in it." He said then he paused for a moment, "To all the invaders listening in." He said and he heard Karen breath in, "All the rumors and whispers you have heard are true." He said, allowing his real accent to show through, "And we shall defend our land, whatever the cost may be; we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender." He said then hung up the phone.

He swallowed as he felt emotion welling up in his chest and he closed his eyes for a moment remembering the faint smell of cigars and the low rumble of a thundering laugh. They were the only concrete, positive memories he had of his past. He breathed in and walked out of the telephone booth, turning away to look at a flier as a group of Kempeitai men swept by. He clenched his jaw and looked at their backs for a moment. He looked around at the bustling, chaotic streets, "I need to get off the bloody streets." He mumbled as he popped his collar and walked down an alley.

He looked at the street names, remembering an address Ip Sifu had given him. He could see the water ahead of him and he walked in between two large warehouses dealing with shipments from Japan. As he walked towards the water, he could see the dock workers were looking at him with hostility, they were all Chinese and as he approached an open area, a large group of them approached him, "Are you lost?" One man asked cruelly in a very thick accent as he held a crowbar menacingly in his hands.

Henry put his right fist in his left hand and shook them at the group politely in the traditional greeting, "Wo xuyhao he Chao Sifu shuohua." He said in perfect Chinese with a perfect accent.

The man raised his eyebrows an inch in surprise, "Ta buzaihu bairen nanhai." He said and Henry lowered his hands and looked at the man for a moment then walked forwards.

"Darao yixia." He said as he made to move past the man. The man brought the crowbar down against Henry's chest, barring him from moving forward. Henry looked at the man for a moment then in a few moves he had struck the man in the crook of his arm and brought his foot down in an arc, sending the man falling to the ground viciously.

He took up a fighting stance, holding his left arm slightly further out then his right. The crowd murmured for a moment then three men ran at him. He blocked two of their strikes at the same time and delivered subsequent blows as the third man made to kick him. He moved aside at the last minute, kicking a man behind him, then grabbing the man's thigh and throwing him to the ground viciously, stomping on the man's chin expertly and knocking him out cold. He raised his hands and looked at them all as he moved in a half-circle, preparing for the next attack. Two men ran forwards, crowbars raised as they made to hit Henry. His face remained blank as he stuck one man's elbow then brought his elbow up, smashing it into the man's chin before he turned to the other man, delivering a barrage of punches so quick and devastating that the man fell to the ground as Henry continued punching his torso until he saw the man could no longer fight.

He looked up sharply but just as more men were preparing to join the fight a voice rang out, "Tingzhi!"

The men immediately stopped and Henry relaxed his arms slightly as the group around him broke to reveal a slender, tall Chinese man with black hair turning white in some areas. He was wearing black pants and a grey, traditional button-up, collared shirt. He looked at Henry, his eyes lingering on Henry's clenched fists with only the first two knuckles on each hand bleeding slightly. Henry brought his hands up and performed the traditional bow, "Wo bixu shuohua Chao Sifu." Henry said politely.

"Wo meiyou kan dao chibang zheyang de nianqing." He said as he studied Henry, "It is an honor to meet you Henry." He said as he returned Henry's bow and smiled widely, "I am Chao." Henry's eyes widened and Chao saw as a weight seemed to lift from Henry's shoulders only to be replaced by fear in his eyes. He nodded, "Please, we'll have tea." He said as he put his arm out, "How is Ip Sifu?"

Henry nodded and bowed at the men he had fought before he followed Chao into the warehouse and into an office. Chao put his arm out, indicating a chair and Henry stood by it, waiting until Chao had taken his seat before he sat down, "He is well sir." He said as Chao poured them each a cup of tea and looked at Henry.

"The Kempeitai have been very active today." He said as he picked up his cup of tea and looked at Henry.

Henry looked at him, "Chao Sifu, I...I must ask a favor of you."

Chao smiled, "I see Ip Sifu passed on his reluctance to ask favors."

Henry looked down in shame, "I hoped you might point me towards an abandoned building where I could stay for a few days." He said then winced, "I had an unfortunate…"

"You'll stay with my family." He said and Henry looked up in shock.

"Chao Sifu, I can't do that. It would put your entire family at risk."

"It would be my honor to welcome a master of Wing Chun into my house," He said and Henry began to shake his head, "And the pupil of a dear friend." He added and Henry looked at him and bowed.

"The honor is mine." Henry said and Chao nodded as he looked at Henry knowingly.

"It's just my wife and our daughter, but she is your age so you shouldn't have to put up with too poor of company."

"Xiexie." Henry said then breathed out and shook his head, "They are looking for me."

Chao nodded and let out a noise of agreement, "Shi, we'll wait until dark. We'll be at my house in time for dinner and there's an area for you to practice in." He said, "Until then, wait in here and rest." He said as he stood.

Henry stood as well and bowed once more as the man left the room. He sat down heavily and breathed out, the weight of the whole situation hit him all at once. He felt exhausted and he closed his eyes for a moment breathing in. When Chao walked into the office a few moments later he saw that Henry was fast asleep. The young man had his arms wrapped around his chest and his chin touching his chest as he breathed deeply and evenly. Chao smiled slightly as he remembered a happier time then he laid a blanket over Henry and left the room. When it was beginning to get dark, Chao approached Henry and put a hand on his shoulder only to swiftly block an instinctive punch, "Kuaisu." Chao said and Henry pulled back his arm.

"Duibuqi, Duibuqi." Henry said quickly as he stood. Chao waved his apologies off and handed him a thicker, black wool coat.

"It's a short walk, are you alright?" He asked as he looked at Henry's bruised hands.

"Fine, thank you." He said as he donned the wool coat and popped the collar, hiding his face a little more, "Let's go." He said and Chao nodded and led Henry out into the streets.

"Is this your first time in San Francisco?" He asked as they walked leisurely down the street, Chao with his hands clasped behind his back as he looked around and nodded his head at the frequent greetings.

"Yes," Henry said, using his American accent, "It's huge." Henry said and Chao nodded and let out a sound of agreement.

"I will have my daughter show you the Pan Pacific Park tomorrow, it is beautiful, or perhaps the beach." He said as he looked at Henry.

"Chao Sifu, why did you stay in San Francisco?"

Chao nodded, "Ah," He said, "Wo lian'aile." He said and Henry looked at him, "And she wouldn't go back to China."

"Why?" Henry asked.

"She is Japanese." He said and Henry raised his eyebrows in shock. Chao looked at Henry and nodded, "And that is why I would not take her back." He said and Henry dropped his eyes in embarrassment, "Don't be ashamed, given your background I cannot blame you nor anyone else for that sort of reaction." He said as he looked at Henry for a moment then he breathed out, "You will learn one day, love is not a choice. It is the one thing man is submissive to." He said and Henry looked at him for a moment then breathed out.

"I saw what...what happened when Ip Sifu lost his wife and…" Henry said as he nodded, "You're right, love is an animal that I know nothing about." Henry said, "I had no reason to react as I did, please forgive me. You are taking me into your home and…." He said but Chao held up an arm, stopping them on a street corner.

He looked Henry up and down and breathed in, "You have been hurt by the Japanese, your animosity is warranted." He said as he nodded, "Though I would ask you to attempt to open your heart to some beautiful individuals who you encounter. We do not pick where we are born." He said and Henry nodded.

"Of course." He said and they continued walking down the street. They were getting into a residential area of San Francisco and Henry looked around at the very nice, Victorian-style homes that lined the street, "I've never seen architecture like this before." He said as he studied it in wonder.

"They are from before the war, obviously the inside has been renovated but most of us enjoy the American architecture." He said as he stopped outside of a particularly large home, "My wife knows you are coming, but I believe my daughter will be surprised."

"Might I ask their names?"

"Of course, my wife's name is Hinata," He said, "And our daughter is Hiyori."

Henry nodded, "Thank you again, I cannot…"

Chao shook his head, "Ip Sifu and I go back all the way to our days in Fo Shan before the war. This is the least I can do, and it is our honor and my pleasure to host you. We have a wooden man that you are more than welcome to practice on." He said then smiled, "It would do us all some good to watch a true master at work." He said and Henry bowed.

"It would be my pleasure." He said and Chao nodded then put out an arm and they both climbed some steps to a red front door. Chao opened the door and they stepped inside the large house. It was furnished in a mix of traditional Japanese upholstery as well as Chinese decor such as China vases and paintings. It was a beautiful mix of culture, Henry thought as he looked around. Suddenly a woman in a simple dress stepped from a room in front of them and she immediately inclined her head.

"It is a pleasure to host you in our home, Mr. Churchill." She said in a slightly accented voice, but perfect English.

"It is my honor Chao Fujin." He said and she looked up at the attempt he'd made to speak Japanese and smiled politely.

"My daughter, Hiyori." She said and a girl stepped from the kitchen where they had both been preparing the meal. Henry's breath caught in his throat as he set eyes on Hiyori. She was slender but still looked strong and she had beautiful, large brown eyes that settled on him boldly and sparkled with intelligence. Her face was unblemished and was emotionless, but Henry got the distinct impression that she was someone prone to laughter far more than she was to frowning. She had a slender waist and delicate features and her hair was long and straight and seemed to gleam in the light. She was wearing a simple black dress and she inclined her head respectfully.

"Ni hao." She said softly.

"Ni hao," Henry said as he bowed respectfully, "Hen giaxong renshi ni." He said in perfect Chinese and she looked up in surprise, as did her mother.

Chao smiled, "A man full of surprises." He said and Hinata smiled as Hiyori studied Henry closely, "Hiyori, show Henry where our wooden dummy is. I want you to see what a real master of wushu looks like." He said and Henry shook his head humbly.

"You are far too kind." He said and Chao smiled then put a hand on Henry's shoulder.

"Please go, we will be up in one moment." He said and Henry nodded and followed Hiyori further into the house.

Hinata looked at her husband for a moment then they embraced and Hinata closed her eyes, "It is happening then?" She asked and she felt her husband exhale.

"Something is," Chao said.

"He seems so sad," Hinata said, "His eyes are so old."

"They have seen much, they have lost everything." He said as they broke their embrace and looked at one another, "But he is anxious to build something of his own. I can see that desire in his eyes."

Hinata nodded, "He has a good heart, but I worry for young people like him and Hiyori. They are so full of life and hope. They do not belong in this world Chao." She said and he looked at her for a moment and nodded.

"No," He said as he sighed, "They do not."

Henry followed Hiyori as she walked towards the back of the house to a large, open room with large, sliding glass doors looking out over a well-kept Japanese garden, "You must hate all of this." Hiyori said as Henry looked around. He breathed out and looked at her for a moment then he smiled softly.

"It's beautiful," He said, in reference to the garden, "Such attention to detail, that has always been something that I have found beautiful." He said then he turned his eyes on the wooden dummy.

"But why do you admire it, after all we have done to your people?" She asked and Henry raised his eyebrows and looked at her for a moment.

"You have done nothing to my people," Henry said as he looked at her, "You seem like a very kind and thoughtful young woman."

She looked at him for a moment then breathed out, "Clever." She said.

"It's been known to happen." He said with a slight smile, "Do you mind?" He asked as he put out an arm, gesturing towards the wooden dummy. She looked at him searchingly for a moment then shook her head. He nodded and faced the dummy, removing his coat as he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt and took up a fighting stance in front of the dummy. She watched as he breathed out and began practicing methodically and expertly. She could tell from his movements and muscle tone that he was a true master and she watched with fascination as Henry lost himself in his art.

Kido stood at his desk as Yoshida played Henry's speech over a voice recorder. Hans clenched his jaw as they all listened intently and he watched Kido's barely restrained anger as the message ended. Kido looked up sharply at Hans who raised his eyebrows and nodded, "It's him." He said and Kido's face twisted in disgust.

"How can you possibly be sure?" He asked and Hans looked at Kido for a moment.

"Your scientists have a...nasty tradition of branding their subjects don't they?" Hans asked as he recalled the brand on Hans' arm, it was faint but Hans had spotted it immediately, "His last name, ja?" He asked and Kido widened his eyes as he looked at Yoshida.

"He is still in the city," Kido said, "No non-Japanese person leaves San Francisco, no one." He said as he looked at Yoshida, "Lock this entire city down and deploy every unit." He said as he clenched his fists, "I want him found and brought here alive, Sergeant." He said and Yoshida walked out of Kido's office with the machine. Kido looked at Hans for a moment then looked out the window.

"The moment I set foot in my embassy you won't see me again." He said and Kido nodded as he furrowed his brow, "We both did what we thought best." Hans added, "Now there is no war."

"Not today, Oberfuhrer." He said as he took off his glasses and raised his eyebrows, looking at Hans, "Not today."

"Good luck, Chief Inspector." Hans said as he extended his hand. Kido looked over the brave young man and nodded as he took Hans' hand.

"And to you Oberfuhrer." He said then he watched as Hans walked from his office, limping slightly from the bullet wound in his leg.

Kido furrowed his brow and clasped his hands behind his back as he looked out of the window in his office, "Kare wa ibutsudeari, mohaya kare no sekaide wanai." He said as he narrowed his eyes and studied the streets as though he expected to see Henry.