A Dubious Crime (A Colton Banyon Mystery Book 9) Page 2

  He said that he went by the name of Hiroki Mura and he wore the decorations of a Colonel in the Kwantung Army. He told the men he was twenty-nine years old, but not everyone believed that. He said that he had not gained his rank because of social position as his commander had done. He told them he was proud to have earned it on the battle field, but was vague about where he had fought. He said he did not hold a medical degree like the men in the room; he was a man of the people.

  What he didn’t say was that he relished in the power he now had over other seemingly more educated and experienced doctors. He cared not that he had a title; he only cared about having people to follow his demanding orders. He was very much a controlling person. The doctors would all follow his orders or not leave the room alive.

  His climb up the military hierarchy had begun by accident, he said. It was fate, but he had taken full advantage and had worked himself into the number two position for the top secret assignment they were about to discuss during the meeting.

  “This same fate has fallen on you.” A satisfying smirk now crossed his face as he relived his glorious past with his comrades.

  Hiroki Mura recalled that he was born in the Chiba prefecture of Japan, just across the large bay from modern Tokyo. He was just a common man. Mura had a high school education and joined the army to get away from his oppressive longshoreman father, who beat him regularly. In the summer of 1931, Mura, who was a lowly corporal at the time, was sent to Manchuria, China to help protect the extensive Japanese owned railroad systems that provided vital raw materials to the emerging Japanese industrial complex. Japan was void of most natural resources and depended upon trade partners to keep its economy growing.

  The military influenced government wanted to ensure the flow of the precious resources from China so they sent more troops then necessary to guard the railway system. It was actually a buildup of Japans military strength in China. A new division of the army was then created to guard the railways in China. It was called the Kwantung Army and they even had a secret police section called the Kempetai. It was set up to emulate the admired German Gestapo. The members were brutal, self-serving, vicious and merciless. Mura said he had become one of them. He didn’t tell the men in the room that he was then able to direct his pent-up rage on defenseless Chinese citizens. That was a secret that only his master knew.

  Mura explained that the opportunity had presented itself when Japan won the concession to lease the South Manchurian Railway Zone in China as a point granted in the Treaty of Portsmouth in 1905 just after the first Sino-Japanese war. The resource rich province of Manchuria, China became the largest supplier to the Japanese and Japan was allowed to provide security for the railroad system which delivered the goods to ports to ferry over to Japan. The ever efficient and cunning Japanese soon began expanding their economic and political interests in the area.

  Mura didn’t tell the truth, he only told them what he wanted them to hear. Actually, by 1931, several powers in the Japanese military in China believed that they needed to annex Manchuria just as they had annexed Korea twenty-five years earlier. It would ensure their long term economic growth. They petitioned the Emperor for approval to invade the nearly defenseless Manchurians, but were turned down. The Army was told to wait for an incident by the Chinese army, or by dissidents, so that world opinion would not turn against Japan.

  The Army didn’t want to wait. On September 18th, 1931, officers of the Kwantung defied orders from the Imperial government to wait for an incident and manufactured their own. It was called the Mukden incident.

  The incident started when several men from the Kwantung set charges along a stretch of the railroad tracks. The charges were not meant to do damage to the railways, but were set to give the opportunity to blame the Chinese for sabotage and the provocation. There was a Chinese garrison very near where the men planted their explosives. When they set the charges off, the Chinese soldiers from the garrison came running to investigate. The Japanese conspirators blamed them for setting the explosives.

  The Kwantung opened fire on the garrison the next morning and the invasion of Manchuria began. By early 1932, The Northern section of China belonged to Japan. The area was renamed Manchukuo and a puppet government was established that lasted until the end of World War II.

  Mura claimed he fought in many battles and gained a reputation as a successful leader of fighting men. But he admitted his real break came when he was transferred to a special secret research group known as the “Toō goō Unit”. It was located near the city of Harbin in Manchukuo. The men in the conference room would work for the same people.

  Hiroki Mura said that his stock rose rapidly in the special secret unit. He had a knack for organization, he blustered. By the time he was recalled to headquarters in Tokyo in 1935 he had risen to the rank of Major. Mura explained that when he returned to China he would be made a Colonel and that was why he wore the uniform today. He told the men in the conference room that the same opportunity could happen to them.

  The time to get to the heart of the meeting had arrived. Suddenly a fire blazed in Colonel Mura’s close set, weasel like eyes and he spoke from deep in his small frame. His announcement was more like a command when it left his mouth. “The Emperor has approved our plan,” he said with finality. He then assumed an aggressive position as he glared at each man looking for a sign of non-acceptance.

  The men at the table knew nothing about a plan, but were afraid to admit it. They were just told to report to the conference room. Several sets of eyes quickly searched the faces of the man across from them, only to find complete confusion. No one said anything for some time. They were all afraid of a reprisal. Finally, an older doctor who was over forty years old asked, “What plan?”

  “The plan to make medical history,” Colonel Mura replied with a smile on his face. “Nothing like this has ever been attempted, and each of you is going to be part of this glorious history.”

  “But we are doctors; we heal sick and damaged people. Who will we be healing?” another doctor asked.

  “Your calling, from now on, is to do research. Research that will strengthen the Imperial Japanese Army,” Colonel Mura tersely replied and held his fist in the air. “The Emperor has dictated it.”

  “Please tell us about the plan to make medical history,” another suddenly interested doctor asked.

  Before he answered the question, Colonel Mura told them what was required. “Everyone in this room is sworn to secrecy. You can never talk about our secret medical facility. Not even to loved ones, under penalty of death. Are you in agreement?” he demanded as he slammed his fist on the table.

  In unison, sixteen men all said “hai”.

  Colonel Mura now spoke softly again. “Our plan is to build the largest, most secure, medical research facility in the world,” he said with fanatical glee.

  “We are not builders,” a doctor objected.

  “No, you will not be building the facility, moron. You each have been chosen to head up different sections of the research center. You will all report directly to my commander. His name is Lieutenant General Shiro Ishii.”

  “I have heard of him,” one of the doctors spoke, nodding his head. “He is a doctor like us. I have read some of his research. But, aren’t you…” He was cut off.

  “What will we be researching?” another doctor asked.

  “You will be studying the effects of disease, chemicals, weather, and weapons on the subject matter,” Colonel Mura announced with a sinister smile. He didn’t tell the men that biological warfare, weapons testing, chemical agents, medical experiments, and various surgeries would be used to gain research.

  “If it will ultimately save lives, I’ll be happy to do research. Too many of our men are dying in these wars,” the older doctor remarked. All the men in the room nodded their heads in agreement.

  “How big will the facility be?” Another man asked.

  “The compound, according to the plans, will cover over six square miles and co
ntain more than one hundred and fifty buildings,” Colonel Mura informed them. “It will be the largest research facility in the world.”

  The men at the table were stunned by the magnitude of the project. “But that will require thousands of workers,” the older doctor exclaimed.

  “Most of the workers will be Japanese nationals,” Mura said. “There will be a large number of scientists and doctors. You will manage them.”

  “A facility that large will require many test subjects. Will you be able to provide the necessary number of subjects?”

  “Oh, I think you will find we have an unlimited supply of test subjects,” the Colonel replied with a smirk.

  “What will they be, rats, mice, rabbits?” A doctor at the back of the conference table inquired.

  “The experiments will be conducted on humans,” Colonel Mura said with a challenge in his voice.

  “But that is not legal,” screamed one of the men. “Japan signed the agreement at the end of World War I preventing the use of human subjects for experiments.”

  “The Emperor has approved the plan,” screamed back Colonel Mura. “Do you defy the Emperor?”

  “Why would he agree to such an immoral act?”

  “We will be studying the effects of diseases and weapons on people to use against our enemies. Would you rather our enemies use them on our troops or your family?”

  “I would not like that,” the man admitted.

  An eerie silence fell over the conference table as each man contemplated the impact of the plan. Finally, someone asked a question. “When will the facility be operational?”

  “We start building the research center immediately. You will be transferred to the facility before the beginning of 1936. You are needed there to conduct early experiments,” the Colonel replied. “Some of you will be sent to satellite units in the surrounding countryside. We plan on having several.”

  “But where are we being transferred to? I thought the facility would be here in Tokyo.” One doctor asked.

  “The secret facility will be built in Manchukuo, in a town called Pingfang, near the city of Harbin. We will have our own airstrip and the use of the nearby existing Zhongma fortress there,” Colonel Mura added. “We already have a small unit in the fortress.”

  “Can we bring our families?” Another doctor asked.

  “You can bring them, but I do not recommend it. There is much fighting in China and we wouldn’t want them harmed,” the Colonel replied.

  “Does this new unit have a name?” A doctor asked.

  “It is officially called the Epidemic Prevention and Water Purification Department of the Kwantung army,” the colonel said. But to those of us who will be working there, we will simply call it “Unit 731”.

  Chapter Two

  Three months later, Colonel Hiroki Mura returned to China. He had gotten his promotion as promised and brought hundreds of scientists with him. The first thing he did upon his return was to report to his commander at the Zhongma fortress. Lieutenant General Shiro Ishii currently occupied a suite of rooms in the old fort. As Colonel Mura followed an aide through the dark corridors to the suite he thought about his commander.

  Mura had actually known of Shiro Ishii and his family all his life. They were, in a way, inseparable. They both came from the wealthy Chiba prefecture in Japan, across the bay from Tokyo. By coincidence, in 1932, they both came to work at the Tōgō Unit in the fortress and when Mura introduced himself, Ishii took him under his wing, promoted him several times and relied upon him to perform the tasks which others found distasteful. Mura knew they weren’t friends but were tied by their Shogun heritage.

  Mura understood Shiro Ishii was a man of immense privilege. His family was the largest land owner in the entire prefecture. The Ishii family had great power and influence in Japan, even with the Imperial family.

  As they both were the same age, Mura had run across the General many times during their youth. He knew Ishii to be very selfish, pushy, and demanding. At times, the young Ishii seemed obsessed and even disturbed, but his family protected him and continued to help him succeed at something, even as war consumed the Japanese Empire. Mura knew that many Japanese leaders bought their positions.

  Mura was not surprised that Ishii decided to enter the field of medicine. He had observed Ishii experimenting on birds and other animals as they grew up. After graduating from medical school, the rumor was that his family had purchased his position in the Imperial Army. Soon Ishii took a two year tour in the West and became interested in chemical and biological warfare research.

  When Japan took over Manchuria, Ishii suddenly appeared as the head of a secret medical research facility known as the Tōgō Unit. It seemed almost as if his family had provided him with a big toy to play with, only it involved people’s lives. That was why Colonel Mura decided to attached himself to Ishii. It was his way to the top.

  Mura’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the aide rapping on Ishii’s door. The door flew open and the General appeared in a night shirt. He had a crazed look in his red-bloodshot eyes. His non-regulation long hair, stood out like it had been blown in the wind. He was unshaven and his mustache was well beyond overgrown.

  “You are late. Give me that,” General Ishii reprimanded the aide. Mura slid inside the room.

  “Sorry sir, there were delays in transit,” the aide said as he handed Ishii some plans and documents.

  “You are dismissed,” Ishii said to the aide with a tone of a disdain.

  “Good to see you, General,” Colonel Mura said cordially and bowed, but General Ishii had already turned and headed for the large desk in the middle of the room. He seemed in a hurry and distracted. Colonel Mura followed him further into the suite.

  The first thing he noticed was the young naked girl huddled on the floor. She didn’t appear to be Japanese. She looked more Korean to him. It looked like she had been beaten and ravaged. General Ishii simply pointed to her. “Get out,” he ordered. The girl, in obvious pain, struggled to her feet and ran for the door.

  “Who was that?” Colonel Mura asked quietly.

  “She is nothing,” Ishii replied off hand. “She is a Korean slave. We import them to fill our ‘comfort houses’. We have established several places for the ‘comfort women’ here. You can take advantage of them anytime you wish. When they wear out, we’ll just bring in more. It is important that our workers are satisfied,” he said.

  “A satisfied worker is a good worker,” Colonel Mura said in agreement.

  Done with the chit-chat, the General then turned to the desk. “These are the actual plans for Unit 731,” Ishii pointed to reams of paper on his desk. “These buildings here are the detention facilities. You will start filling them tomorrow,” Ishii ordered.

  “How many prisoners will it take to fill them?” Mura asked.

  “They are not prisoners, they are test subjects,” Ishii roared as spittle flew from his mouth.

  “Sorry, test subjects,” Mura said softly.

  “And you will always refer to them as maruta,” the General said in rage.

  “Logs? Why call them logs?”

  “This is a very secret facility. The local people think we are a lumberyard. That we burn wood to make electricity and to purify water.”

  “I see,” the Colonel replied in confusion. He thought that Unit 731 was a research facility. Why call it a lumberyard?

  General Ishii pointed at a place on the plans. “Look, see these two tall smoke stacks? There are huge ovens beneath them.”

  “Yes,” the Colonel replied.

  “That is where we will burn the bodies and leave no trace of our maruta.” The General announced with glee.

  Colonel Mura was only slightly shocked. He had worked with General Ishii before and knew some of his efforts would include subject people, or maruta, dying. It made sense that they had to be disposed of someplace. “How many logs should I collect tomorrow?” he said with a puffed out chest.

  “The wards will ho
ld 600 people. We already have some prisoners of war, but I want a cross section of men, women, children and even infants for our experiments,” the General said fanatically. “Bring me five hundred and fifty,” the General calculated in his head like he was ordering toilet paper.

  “From where?”

  “I don’t care. Just go to a local village and take everybody that is fit.” The General said throwing up his hands in frustration. “I have enough decisions to make. Must I decide everything?”

  “Why do they need to be fit?”

  “Our experiments will mean nothing if the logs are sick or broken. They must be in good health for me to perform proper experiments on them. Is that clear?”

  “Yes sir,” Mura replied.

  “And another thing,” Ishii blustered as he held up his finger. “The logs that are in our facility must be fed a proper diet and you must make them exercise. Malnutrition and weak hearts will only skew my data. Do you understand?”

  “Yes my General.”

  “Good,” Ishii replied. “Then you are dismissed”

  Chapter Three

  By the summer of 1936, unit 731 was in full swing. General Ishii commanded thousands of workers. They included doctors, scientists, army soldiers, foreigners, especially imported Koreans, and local conscripted civilians to maintain the large facility. Mura kept the wards full at all times and Ishii ran through his logs as fast as they were replenished. The secret facility remained hidden to the outside world.

  A part of unit 731 was devoted to the testing and stockpiling of chemical agents which could be used in warfare. The largest section, however, was used to develop and conduct research of biological weapons. The orders came from Tokyo and it was Ishii’s major focus. At one time, the unit had as many as 4,500 canisters in several large buildings that grew plague-infested fleas. Unit 731 had many workers conducting field research with the devastating diseases. They used various diabolical methods and tools to infect their unsuspecting subjects. Much of the biological experiments were conducted outside the facilities in the small towns in the area. His people would infect things like candles and food which they gave to local townspeople in an effort to study the spread and devastation of several diseases. They kept careful records of the disease, how many people were originally infected, how fast it spread to the entire village and how many people it killed. Any survivors from a village became logs to study inside Unit 731. The goal was to determine what additional dosages of the disease were needed to make them all die. The researchers wanted to find the most effective biological killing weapon. Many towns simply disappeared from the Chinese countryside.