The Darkest Of The Dark

Sinyaya Korobka

Sergeant Yuzuki walked into the barracks, pushing a big whiteboard on wheels. Her red hair shone, and her black eyes glinted as she passed the soldiers lying on their beds. She went to the front of the room, grabbed a marker, and wrote on the board.

Yuzuki: "Read what's on the board."
Her voice was firm and serious.

The soldiers turned their heads to look, stopping what they were doing. They saw the words Sinyaya Korobka and looked confused, not knowing what it meant. Some tilted their heads and squinted.

Soldiers: "Sinyaya Korobka."
The soldiers said the words loudly in unison.

Yuzuki: "Stand up when you say that!"
Her voice was firm but polite, a little louder now.

The soldiers put down what they were holding and quickly stood up, looking nervous.

Soldiers: "Sinyaya Korobka!"
The soldiers shouted the words together.

Yuzuki pointed at the whiteboard with a stick, tapping it sharply.

Yuzuki: "Sinyaya Korobka is a Russian word that means 'Blue Box.'"

She slowly walked down the aisle, passing some soldiers, then stopped in the middle.

Yuzuki: "The Blue Box is the terrorists' base, and we're going to attack it. We have information the public doesn't know, like the terrorists' ethnicity. They're Russian. They've already robbed Tokiwabashi Tower, and they even kidnapped the Princess."

Yuzuki stood tall, looking seriously at the soldiers.

Yuzuki: "Do you all understand what I'm saying?"
She spoke loudly and clearly.

Soldiers: "Yes, Sergeant."
The soldiers responded loudly in unison.

Yuzuki: "Repeat after me: The Russians are dangerous, but we are more dangerous!"

Soldiers: "The Russians are dangerous, but we are more dangerous!"
The soldiers said it loudly together.

Yuzuki: "Again, louder!"

Soldiers: "The Russians are dangerous, but we are more dangerous!"
The soldiers shouted even louder.

Yuzuki: "Our main mission is to save the Emperor's daughter. Do you understand?"

Soldiers: "Yes, Sergeant!"
The soldiers shouted in unison.

Yuzuki paced back and forth as she spoke.

Yuzuki: "We only have one week of training. Just one week. I expect all of you to follow my orders."

Soldiers: "Yes, Sergeant!"
The soldiers shouted together.

Yuzuki: "We still don't know the exact location of the Russian base. We just know it's called Sinyaya Korobka."

Meanwhile, in a dark room far from Okinawa

The room was dimly lit, with a single weak lightbulb swinging above. A young girl was strapped to a chair, her wrists and legs bound tightly with leather straps. Her mouth was covered with duct tape, and she appeared to be asleep. On the walls, there were children's drawings, giving the place an eerie feel.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and the lights flickered on, filling the room with a harsh glow. A Russian man in a soldier's uniform walked in, slamming the door behind him.

The loud noise startled the girl awake. Realizing she was restrained, she mumbled through the tape, trying to free herself. Panic set in as tears welled in her eyes.

The Russian man ripped the tape from her mouth in one quick motion.

Girl: "Where am I?"
Her voice trembled, scared and weak.

Russian Man: "You're in a dark room."
He spoke with a thick Russian accent, his tone cold.

Girl: "What... what do you want? Please, you don't have to do this."
She panted, her fear evident.

Russian Man: "Oh, but I do."
He replied calmly, showing no sympathy.

Girl: "Why am I here?"
Her voice cracked as she teared up, struggling to breathe.

Russian Man: "You're here for ransom."
His voice remained steady.

Girl: "I know you don't want to do this. I can see it."
She tried to reason with him, desperation in her voice.

Russian Man: "I don't want to, but I have to. The whole country is looking for you, the Emperor's daughter."

Girl: "Please, just let me go."
Tears streamed down her face as she begged.

The Russian man pulled a black ski mask from his pocket and slipped it over his head, hiding his face.

Girl: "What's that for?"
Her voice shook with fear.

The man took out a camera from his other pocket, pressed record, and pointed it at both of them.

Russian Man: "Hello, Japan. Today, we have Akemi Yuji, the Princess. We demand 5 billion yen. If you don't comply, I'll cut this little girl."
He pulled out a sharp knife and held it close to Akemi's neck. He pressed the button to stop the recording.

Akemi: "Please, sir, you don't have to do this."
She sobbed, her voice breaking as she pleaded with him.

Russian Man: "Too bad."

Akemi: "Why are you doing this? Do you need the money that badly?"

Russian Man: "Enough questions."

Akemi: "You said 'we.' That means there are more of you outside this door, right?"
Her voice was shaking, but she was trying to get more information.

Without answering, the Russian man put the tape back over her mouth, silencing her. She mumbled, struggling again as he walked out of the room. The door slammed shut behind him, and the room fell back into darkness, lit only by the dim lightbulb.

Akemi mumbled through the tape, frantically trying to free herself, her body shaking as she struggled against the straps. Tears kept falling as she fought to escape the chair, rocking back and forth in desperation.